Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent O'Brian, 14 Oct 2004
Having returned home, Jack Aubrey finally makes the next step on the ladder and is promoted commodore. There is much to sort out at home, not at least for Stephen Maturin; Diana has fled from home and left their daughter Brigid with Clarissa Oakes and the servants.Jack receives orders to command a squadron of ships going to West Africa to harrass the slave trade, but also to lay in wait for a convoy of French ships. As with other books in this series, it isn't the action that makes the book very good. The quality lies in the description of life on the boat, both the daily routine chores, the events and the social life among the men, and especially in the dialogue between Jack and Stephen. We get to know them and their family lives, their lives as navy officer and as scientist, and their friendship and the carefulness with which they live so close together despite their outward and inward differences. O'Brian is obviously a first-class writer and uses language masterfully to convey a feeling of early 19th century to us, both in choice of words and in wording. Despite the caption of naval novel, this is a book of dialogue and slowly unfolding life, with short bursts of fast action in between.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
50 % land, 50 % water, 25 Sep 2009
Finally, Captain Aubrey is coming home to Shelmerston and Ashgrove; and Dr Maturin to the same, and to the Liberties of the Savoy; after a long, 4-book voyage (13 gun salute; Nutmeg; Clarissa Oakes; Wine-dark sea). On land, as usual, there has been many a change, and many a worry ensues; but also some bright new things. But oh, the worries on dry land... and not just the dread Mrs Williams, but Mrs Aubrey and Mrs Maturin (well, Ms Villiers at least) as well.
After half the book, we set sail again, and Captain Aubrey leads a squadron to West Africa - this time in admirals' uniform. He is 'only' a Commodore, but with Killick we delight in this new rank.
If you are new to the series, don't begin with this book; start with 'Master and Commander', and you'll have a wonderful experience of a sea of books to look forward to.
The joy of O'Brian's writing - his style, the choice of words, his constructions, so familiar, and giving pleasure time and again. These books are very re-readable, too; O'Brian can make me feel pleasure, and pain; when I am sad, he can make me laugh out loud, and you can't say better than that. I believe I am on my seventh read-through, and I hope many more will follow. I think the pleasure might increase in re-reading!
The interaction Jack/Stephen reaches new sensitivities. Stephen hears Jack playing his Guarnieri in the summerhouse at Ashgrove, and realizes Jack has been holding back in their duets - his playing now is masterful, and infinitely sad. Stephen's interactions with his daughter are an absolute delight. And to the connaisseur, Killick saying "no-one can call me nosy..." is almost worth the price of the book by itself.
A delight, an absolute delight.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
the continuing adventures of Capt Aubrey and Dr Maturin, 9 Jul 2009
only CS Foster is a match for Patrick O'Brian so i am told which i will start to read when i have completed this series of books 21 in all, each book continuing the adventures of Capt Aubrey & Dr Maturin if you like maritime tales you could not choose better in my opinion.
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