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83rd out of 3,146 books
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13,781 voters
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Aubrey & Maturin omnibus)
The recent release of the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has focused even more attention on the publishing phenomenon of the late Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels about the Royal Navy in the age of Nelson. These five volumes, beautifully produced and boxed, contain over 7,000 pages of what has often been described as a single, continuous narrat...more
Hardcover, 6980 pages
Published
October 17th 2004
by W. W. Norton & Company
(first published 1994)
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I took up a writing about reading challenge recently, and I ran into a question asking, "What is your favourite series?" I'd have thought this was an easy topic to write about. How man good series can there be? Turns out quite a few.
My first thought was to pick one of the many excellent fantasy series (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Earthsea Cycle, etc.), or one of the lesser but entertaining series in the same genre (Dragonlance, Narnia, Conan, etc.). But then I remembered th...more
My first thought was to pick one of the many excellent fantasy series (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Earthsea Cycle, etc.), or one of the lesser but entertaining series in the same genre (Dragonlance, Narnia, Conan, etc.). But then I remembered th...more
Deeply enjoyed all of these; my late Bob rejoiced when I turned him on to these fine seagoing novels which bring the British Navy of the Napoleonic Wars so vividly to life. Robert and I read and re-read this series over and over again--I've read 'em four times all the way through, just me, with delight. His bent was just a lil bit tad more technical in the matter of exact methods of sailing, weaponry, strategies of war. I am STILL gobsmacked by the depth, the quality, the sweet complexities of p...more
I have not yet completed this series but I am close enough to the end to confirm it is five stars all the way. It is amazing (hence the 5 stars) that O'Brian manages so many books with the same two central characters without repeating situations, and with a huge variety of settings and events. You do not have to be a fan of action writing to appreciate these novels. Certainly the sea battles (and land ones for that matter) often form a climax in the book, but it is the building of tension and th...more
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels, 21 stories, Volume One, Master and Commander, Post Captain, H.M.S. Surprise, The Mauritius Command. Volume Two, Desolation Island, The Fortune of War, The Surgeon’s Mate, The Ionian Mission. Volume Three, Treason Harbor, The Far Side of the World, The Reverse of the Medal, The Letter of Marque. Volume Four, The Thirteen Gun Salute, The Nutmeg of Consolation, The Truelove, The Wine Dark Sea. Volume Five, The Commodore, The Yellow Admiral, The Hundred Days, Blue...more
I didn't mean to read these. I had recently made a joke about how all sea captains were named Jack, and I ran across Master and Commander in the book store and just opened it to see if the captain's name happened to be Jack. It had me from the first page. Next thing I know it's 1 a.m. and I haven't put it down.
And yes, the captain is named Jack. I'm pretty sure there's a law about that. Jack Aubrey a brilliant captain who can't seem to fend for himself on dry land. His BFF Stephen Maturin is a...more
And yes, the captain is named Jack. I'm pretty sure there's a law about that. Jack Aubrey a brilliant captain who can't seem to fend for himself on dry land. His BFF Stephen Maturin is a...more
The first ten books or so are superb, but after that repetition and boredom set in. O'Brian uses the same plot devices over and over (the most notable are the financial disasters that beset Aubrey and Maturin after they are enriched on one of their voyages--Aubrey must have been fleeced by predatory businessmen/wicked government agencies at least half a dozen times in the course of the books).
Patrick O'Brian -- a master of his craft!!! I cannot say enough about this man. He researched his subject matter so completely that I have to admit I've never read someone whose voice is more authentic. Yes, these are novels, but the historical detail is unswervingly correct and integrated so smoothly that by the third or fourth book you feel as though you could set the fore t'gallant stays'l yourself. If you know what I'm talking about, you would enjoy O'Brian beyond your wildest dreams. If you...more
These books are amazing. A fearless writer who takes his characters in completely unexpected directions. Funny, heartfelt, exciting, and unpredictable, these books might very well be my favorites of all time. I have read the series uncountable times, and basically am always reading them. Whenever I run out of something to read, or don't feel like any of the books I am currently reading, I flip open the bookmark in whatever volume I happen to be at and pick up right where I left off. If you have...more
Mar 06, 2010
Cole Schoolland
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE
Recommended to Cole by:
Dan Shank
This series could not be HIGHER RECOMMENDED. Everyone out there owes it to themselves to read this series of books. The characters will become your very real friends as you experience their adventurers with them. You will laugh out loud and you will cry. I was absolutely heartbroken when I reached the end of the series. Patrick O'Brian was, without a doubt, one of the most brilliant, beautiful, and eloquent writers of the 20th Century.
Note: be sure and buy the glossary of nautical terms or a com...more
Note: be sure and buy the glossary of nautical terms or a com...more
Incredible read. O'Brian creates a world every bit as fascinating as middle earth. Leadership, psychology, friendship, relationships, warfare... Not for kids. Just finished reading most of the set for the second time. I quit before O' seemed to become a misanthrope. I'd explain why but I don't want to spoil the last volumes.
As a Christian Theist I found O'Brian's lack of moral compass depressing at times. As a human it was fascinating and enlightening looking at other humans through O'Brian's ey...more
As a Christian Theist I found O'Brian's lack of moral compass depressing at times. As a human it was fascinating and enlightening looking at other humans through O'Brian's ey...more
One of the great reads of my life was the first slow acquiring and reading of the 20 volumes in the Aubrey-Maturin series. Soon after I had finished them for the first time I began reading them again: I didn't want to finish reading these books. In the meantime too I had bought a companion volume A sea Of Words, which helped explain a lot of nautical and medical jargon, together with Harbors and High Seas which details the myriad locations, real and invented, where the books take place. As I sit...more
O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels gave me one of the best reading experiences of my life. That said, he has a high barrier to entry, to use an industrial metaphor.
O'Brian's novels inhabit the world they describe. He uses the language that people used at the time. Many readers will be put off by the nautical terms (including descriptions of maneuvers in sailing and names for parts of the ship), the period-accurate language (in dialogue), and the abundance of period-specific references to everythin...more
O'Brian's novels inhabit the world they describe. He uses the language that people used at the time. Many readers will be put off by the nautical terms (including descriptions of maneuvers in sailing and names for parts of the ship), the period-accurate language (in dialogue), and the abundance of period-specific references to everythin...more
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Dear Abby used to say that length didnt matter but this twenty-book series is long enough to make you stay in love forever. The first couple of times you devote a portion of your life to this series you cant believe how much you missed on previous voyages into this fascinating world. When you're reading these books you become frustrated that you have to do things in your 'real life' other than read. You can go live in these books.
And what a world it is! The story centers on two main characters;...more
And what a world it is! The story centers on two main characters;...more
20 complete books in all, with a partial 21st unfinished due to the author's death.
Wonderfully written providing an insight into every day life in the late 18th century/early 19th century British navy. Not only do you get details of how the ships were sailed but also the living conditions, the food, the punishments, the medications and surgeries.
There is intrigue, suspense, romance, danger; everything one can expect from Patrick O'Brian. There is also insight into the intellectual thinkings of t...more
Wonderfully written providing an insight into every day life in the late 18th century/early 19th century British navy. Not only do you get details of how the ships were sailed but also the living conditions, the food, the punishments, the medications and surgeries.
There is intrigue, suspense, romance, danger; everything one can expect from Patrick O'Brian. There is also insight into the intellectual thinkings of t...more
It's time for a new generation to dive into Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. All twenty books in the series take place on land and sea during the Napoleonic wars. Jack Aubrey is a captain of warships and Stephen Maturin is a ship's surgeon and naturalist. They stick together through many exciting exploits and encounter many fascinating characters and places. Start with the first book, Master and Commander, to learn the vocabulary. The other books also take place in sequence.
Better than most science-fiction at portraying to the last detail an alien world full of alien sensibilities, in which even simple words such as "shy" suggest a way of seeing and doing completely different than our own.
I re-read the whole series every eight or ten years. Have done so three times. The first read-through helped me through a challenging time in my life. Having these books on the shelf is like money in the bank.
I re-read the whole series every eight or ten years. Have done so three times. The first read-through helped me through a challenging time in my life. Having these books on the shelf is like money in the bank.
Excellent. I read very little fiction, but this completely trapped me for the better part of 3 months. I am both happy to be free and sad that the tale has come to an end. Through the novels I was continually struck by Patrick O'Brien's insights into relationships, being male, and growing older. The novels are a male-oriented soap opera in print. I don't expect to ever find anything comparable.
I read this entire series of books..... twice. I believe there are 24 book included with the series. They are excellent stories of Naval adventures set from about 1796 to 1815. The two main charecters are Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. I would recommend these to anyone interested in Naval stories.
I'm still in the middle of the series, since I read one of them every six months or so, and I'm so glad I still have half of it ahead of me. These books are the best kind of reliable pleasure - you have to work a little bit for it, but it's always there for you. Reasons why this series is great: 1) the main characters are completely human and flawed but are realistically portrayed as the best men of their world; 2) their inner lives are also often murky, ambiguous, and confused in ways that I ca...more
An extraordinary body of work. I have the utmost respect for an author who can painstakingly create a world that transports the reader to another place and time so effectively. It appeals to the scholar in me that I was compelled to seek out supplementary reader's guides to truly enter that world.
I couldn't face entering all 19 of these books separately, even though they deserve it. I was never interested in the British Royal Navy, but I kept seeing reviews that said stuff like "the best historical novels ever written" so I thought I would try the first one. I was totally hooked right away. The detail about the period is amazing. You learn all about the ships and the sailors: what they wore, what they ate, how they worked, how the ships worked, battle strategies and how they fought (thin...more
Loved them all. Wish there was more. I could not finish reading 21, as he did not finish it.
So it is ended. I know that, but wish everyone else would. A great series that should not continue without the original writer.
Do not put into words that one who is not here himself to do so.
So it is ended. I know that, but wish everyone else would. A great series that should not continue without the original writer.
Do not put into words that one who is not here himself to do so.
This series is not only the best set of historical novels I have read; they are the best I have even heard about. I needed the help of a dictionary in the beginning, but it was entirely worth it. I have never met someone who has read the first book who hasn't read the entire series.
May 22, 2009
Carl
marked it as to-read
Is there any review of this publication? The books themselves in individual publication are brilliant but it's my understanding that these 5 omnibus volumes include numerous typos. So I am at a loss about whether to buy them - one of my top 5 authors.
If you can make it through the first half of the first book, you're totally hooked. They're even more enjoyable re-reading them. Some books are better than others naturally, but as a whole, the Aubrey-Maturin series makes for exceptional reading.
Wonderfully written historical fiction!!! You will become part of the action over nearly a quarter century of early 19th Royal Navy history. If you liked the movie "Master and Commander at Sea", you will love these novels!
What a great series. Every time I read these books I feel like I'm falling back into a familiar, yet fundamentally different world. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, especially the Napoleonic age.
It would almost be worth completely erasing my memory banks in order to read these 20 wonderful volumes for the first time all over again (and maybe go see The Godfather again while I'm at it).
These were captivating from the first. Master and Commander as a present for my 40th b'day. Read a couple a year over the next decade. Aubrey/Maturin et al became good friends, Thank you Patrick O.!
Forgot that I had read most of these-not the last one. Tedious reading and I never quite fell in love with these books, but really liked the sailing parts--once a sailor always a sailor!
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Patrick O'Brian, CBE (born as Richard Patrick Russ) was an English novelist and translator, best known for his Aubrey–Maturin series of novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and centered on the friendship of English Naval Captain Jack Aubrey and the Irish–Catalan physician Stephen Maturin. The 20-novel series is known for its well-researched and highly detailed portrayal of early...more
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