Post Captain (1972)

Vintage O'Brian. You can tell it's early in the series as Aubrey and Maturin are not as well fleshed out as characters as in later books, but all the same what page-turning yarn, very evocative of the time, place and people. Feel like reading another AubreyMaturin in straight succession! ( )

Dr Stephen Maturin leads Captain Jack Aubrey to the spy's Spanish castle. Best pals compete over manipulative widow Diana Villiers. Stephen encourages shy Sophia to Jack; Jack flees bailiffs after prize agent steals money. Jealous cuckold assigns Jack poorly-built experimental ship on poorly-conceived mission with too few and raw crew. Jack fights on.

After the events of Master and Commander, Captain Jack Aubrey and his good friend Dr. Stephen Maturin find themselves briefly ashore. Jack is hoping to be made post captain after his adventures on the Sophie, but things look grim. He and Stephen both meet some delightful ladies and another Sophia may hold his affections... but then Jack is swindled of his prize money and he's now in danger of debtors' prison if he doesn't get another ship.

This book suffered from length - both itself over 500 pages and it took forever for the story to get going, but also the length of time I spent reading it. I remembered the first book as being pretty high action, but this one was plodding at times and it was often not the first book I wanted to pick up, even though much of the time I had to put it aside to read books more urgent, such as my book club read for this month. Simon Vance's narration is superb, and once I focused on reading/listening to this one almost exclusively, it worked a little better for me. I enjoy the characters and time period, and will try the next book in the series before I decide I've read enough. ( )

I loved this book! I think it's actually better than the first--you get a much fuller character study of both Aubrey and Maturin. There are not as many battles but there are still quite a few. Highly recommended. ( )

This is the most 'Jane Austen-like' of the Aubrey/Maturin novels, perhaps on purpose. Much of it takes place ashore, and as much of it concerns young ladies' prospects as concerns Napoleonic battles. Most importantly, it takes the two fully-realized characters introduced in 'Master & Commander' and builds a grand world around them.

The book is long - 'prodigiously long, sir!' - but is no less wonderful for it. The ridiculous adventure of Captain Jack in the bear-skin, the introduction of the fiery Dianna Villiers, the secretive wisdom and eccentricity of Stephen Maturin; every episode is a delight, every battle a thrill, every conversation intriguing. The world of Napoleonic England - and especially of His Majesty's Royal Navy - is real authentic to the last detail. This book is the prime example of historical fiction. You will be transported.

Do not be sad when you have finished it. There are 18 more stories, of equal and even better quality, and by the time you finish them all you will be ready to start again. ( )