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Loading... Master and Commander (original 1969; edition 2002)by Patrick O'Brian
Work InformationMaster and Commander by Patrick O'Brian (Author) (1969)
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Brilliant for what it is, an immersive historical fiction that does not halt for any audience member less than willing to roll along with its period jargon and nautical terms. I absolutely loved it, but I love the period of the Napoleonic Wars and I love letting myself sink into a time period even if I do not understand what the author is talking about for pages at a time (though the frontispiece map is very helpful for finding out the difference between a topsail and a royal, for example). If you don't enjoy either of those things, I'm not sure why you'd pick up this book at all. If you do, you will likely also love the bluff narrative perspective of Jack Aubrey, the generally non-toxic relationship between men that is surfaced throughout, the oddball characterization of Maturin, and the delightfully true-paced sea battles. This whole series has a very specific reader; you'll know quite quickly if you're one of us (and no, it's not just dudes, I swear). ( ) I originally read the first book in 1997. Finished Blue at the Mizzen in 2013. It was time to start over. Words are at a loss on this novel and the series. O'Brian is a unique writer that doesn't clobber you over the head with his character interactions or events. Subtle is his usual method, and once you get used to that, his writing will bring you into new depths of humor, character development, action, intrigues, romance and so much more. No romance in this book, but others do have it. I highly recommend this series and the audiobooks read by Simon Vance. If this is your first time into naval warfare, then I suggest picking up Sea of Words or something along that line to help with the naval terms. Jack Aubrey invites Stephen Maturin to become his ship's doctor/surgeon in 1800. It is certainly a steep learning curve as the author makes no concessions to readers' ignorance of naval terminology and practice of the period. There were definitely times when I had no idea what was going on. it certainly throws into relief how much other authors play down the strangeness of the past. Is contained inHas the adaptationIs abridged inHas as a student's study guideAwardsNotable Lists
Fiction.
Historical Fiction.
HTML: Here is the maiden voyage of O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, which follows the unique friendship between Captain Aubrey, R.N., and Stephen Maturin, ship's surgeon and intelligence agent. It is the dawn of the nineteenth century; Britain is at war with Napoleon's France. When Jack Aubrey, a young lieutenant in Nelson's navy, is promoted to captain, he inherits command of HMS Sophie, an old, slow brig unlikely to make his fortune. But Captain Aubrey is a brave and gifted seaman, his thirst for adventure and victory immense. With the aid of his friend Stephen Maturin, Aubrey and his crew engage in one thrilling battle after another, their journey culminating in a stunning clash with a mighty Spanish frigate against whose guns and manpower the tiny Sophie is hopelessly outmatched. O'Brian renders in riveting detail the life aboard a man-of-war in Nelson's navy: the conversational idiom of the officers in the ward room and the men on the lower deck, the food, the floggings, the mysteries of the wind and the rigging, and the roar of broadsides as the great ships close in battle. .No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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