Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales now are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets. Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O'Brian's now famous Aubrey/Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship's surgeon and an ...
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Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales now are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets. Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O'Brian's now famous Aubrey/Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship's surgeon and an intelligence agent. It contains all the action and excitement which could possibly be hoped for in a historical novel, but it also displays the qualities which have put O'Brian far ahead of any of his competitors: his depiction of the detail of life aboard a Nelsonic man-of-war, of weapons, food, conversation and ambience, of the landscape and of the sea. O'Brian's portrayal of each of these is faultless and the sense of period throughout is acute. His power of characterisation is above all masterly. This brilliant historical novel marked the d???but of a writer who has grown into one of the most remarkable literary novelists now writing, the author of what Alan Judd, writing in the Sunday Times, has described as 'the most significant extended story since Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time'.
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I really, really wanted to like this book, I really did. However, the writing is in the language of the time and how they spoke so it makes it extremely hard for me to read. I tried three times to read it, and just could not get through it, I even tried listening to it, and I couldn't do it. If you liked the movie, I say to give it a try, you might enjoy it and can get through it.
Mary F
Oct 6, 2011
Best writing in decades
Seriously, the best series of books I've run into in a long,long time! I keep buying it for other people to read too!
captaindick
Jan 31, 2008
This book introduces us to the series of Aubrey- Maturin historical novels that take place during the Napoleanic wars. The story accurately depicts life aboard a ship of the Royal Navy during the height of England's superiority on the seas. The period language and nautical terminology provide an education for the fans of naval history; the rich character development engages the discriminating fiction reader as well.
Scottgelt
Jul 19, 2007
Too technical
I'm having a hard time getting through it. I've heard it gets better. Lots of technical stuff that bogs it down.
