Questions About Master and Commander (Aubrey & Maturin, #1)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Master and Commander, please sign up.

Answered Questions (8)

Can anyone direct me to a 'glossary of naval terms' to help me get through this book and other written by Patrick O'Brian? I want to read all 22 but have been put off by the storm of words foreign to me in the story.

Lynn Patrick O'Brian's Navy: The Illustrated Companion to Jack Aubrey's World by Richard O'Neill and The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book: Persons, Animals, Shi…morePatrick O'Brian's Navy: The Illustrated Companion to Jack Aubrey's World by Richard O'Neill and The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book: Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon in the Aubrey-Maturin Sea Novels by Anthony Gary Brown. Also, A Sea of Words: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian by Dean King.(less)

flag

is there any character development in this book and the series as whole?

Randy Lee Definitely character development - Both in our reveal as to the characters' nature/motivations as well as actual character development (ie., change of…moreDefinitely character development - Both in our reveal as to the characters' nature/motivations as well as actual character development (ie., change of nature).(less)

flag

Hay una película llamada igual: Capitán de Mar y Guerra, que me gustó mucho, con Russell Crowe y Paul Bettany... tiene este libro algo que ver con eso?

Lucy Sí, la pelicula es basado en los personajes y la situación en general de los libros, aunque la historia en sí de la pelicula saca elementos de varios …moreSí, la pelicula es basado en los personajes y la situación en general de los libros, aunque la historia en sí de la pelicula saca elementos de varios d elos libros para generar una historia diferente. (less)

flag

I'm a 6th grade teacher. One of my student's father wants her to read this book. She is an excellent reader so that's not the issue. My question: is the content ok for a 6th grader?

Julie Plummer There are a few references to sex, adultery etc.
More of a problem I think is the huge amount of jargon. I’m an adult and I read a lot of historical f…moreThere are a few references to sex, adultery etc.
More of a problem I think is the huge amount of jargon. I’m an adult and I read a lot of historical fiction, but I find the jargon off-putting. She would almost certainly get more out of it at 14-16. (Is 6th grade about 12?)(less)

flag

Does it matter if I read them in order?

Andrew Yes. The series is in chronological order. Many of the books are self-contained stories, although there are sub-plots that carry on from previous book…moreYes. The series is in chronological order. Many of the books are self-contained stories, although there are sub-plots that carry on from previous books. I think you will want to follow the characters, particularly Aubrey and Maturin, as their development over the course of time was the most rewarding part of the series for me. (less)

flag

Load 3 more questions