Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian (February/March 2020)

[Nigeyb]

This is a buddy read discussion thread for....


Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

...and the discussion will open in mid-February 2020

Here's what's in store.....

As the Royal Navy takes part in the wars against Napoleonic France, young Jack Aubrey receives his first command, the small, old, and slow HMS Sophie.

Accompanied by his eccentric new friend, the physician and naturalist Stephen Maturin, Aubrey does battle with the naval hierarchy, with his own tendency to make social blunders, and with the challenges of forging an effective crew - before ultimately taking on enemy ships in a vivid, intricately detailed series of sea battles.

[Nigeyb]

Let the discourse commence....

[Nigeyb]

I had read Master and Commander I think, the second one too, though it was a good 20 years ago now. From what I could recall, I had loved the books, and so it proved this time round.

Since finishing my reread, I've also read the second one Post Captain.

I really enjoyed them both and will be reading number three soon and this time I’ll follow through and read all 19 novels.

The plot is almost secondary to the character development, and it was getting to know the foibles of each of the characters that is probably more of a pleasure than the skirmishes and action.

I’d forgotten just how much technical information there is in Master and Commander. There's something reassuring about a writer who appears to really have a solid handle on the technical aspects of life in the Royal Navy in 1800, during the Napoleonic wars and, despite not understanding much of it, I loved it.

Patrick O'Brian writes splendid characters too - in particular Captain Jack Aubrey, Dr. Stephen Maturin, and First Lieutenant James Dillon. Stephen Maturin is just as much the star of the show as Jack. He is an Irish-Spanish spy with a medical licence who works on the Sophie as the ship's surgeon. Stephen's lack of nautical experience allows Patrick O'Brian to cleverly explain what is happening at sea to the reader.

I'm looking forward to discussing this book with you, and discovering what you liked and, perhaps, what you were less sure about.

[Susan]

I am floundering a little with this, I must admit. I really looked forward to it, but I feel a little lost. I wouldn't say that I don't like it, exactly, but that I can't really connect with it.

[Nigeyb]

That's a shame Susan. Perhaps it's just not for you?


I'd certainly agree that the plots are quite episodic and meandering and, as I say above, the pleasure is in the characters, primarily Jack and Stephen.

I am looking forward to H.M.S. Surprise (Aubrey & Maturin #3) however that it primarily to re-engage with the two main characters.

[Brian E]

Susan wrote: "I am floundering a little with this, I must admit. I really looked forward to it, but I feel a little lost. I wouldn't say that I don't like it, exactly, but that I can't really connect with it."

I'm a bit over 100 pages in and this expresses my sentiments too. One problem is the use of terms and jargon where I am not sure what is going on or properly judge what the characters' reactions are. At one point I found myself wondering if they were already at sea or still in port - I wasn't sure. I felt relief in discovering that they were still in port because that's what I had decided.
However, the author has been successful in getting me very interested in the characters he has presented so I hope that will trump my feeling a bit adrift with what is happening. If not, I will still have obtained a feel and knowledge of an important book series that many adore. So I am glad to be reading it. It is longer that I had thought from seeing the book's thickness.

[Nigeyb]

My tip is to ignore the technical terms - or just wallow in their sound. Anything you really need to understand is explained. Often Stephen's lack of nautical experience is Patrick O'Brian's cue to explain what is happening for the reader.

[Susan]

Yes, Stephen can have everything explained to him, which does give a lot of detail. I find it over-whelming and have virtually ignored most of it. However, should you be interested in jibs and rigs and whatever they are, this would be a delightful part of the book!

[Brian E]

The book got better as it went on and my lack of seafaring terms played less and less a part. While I don't think I'll read any more in the series, it is much more likely I might than I felt at the 1/3 point.

I'm very glad I read this. It reminds me of how I felt after reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, another book by a genre series author that some of my friends enjoy. I found the books more difficult than expected for so-called "popular" series so, even though the books may not be my cup of tea, I end up with more respect for those readers who like them.