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wearsteel's review against another edition
5.0
As I attempt to complete the series I did not read the synopsis for this book. I am glad that I did not, as this allowed the story to unfold and surprise. 7 books into the series and the delight provided continues. I would recommend as a one off and as a continuous storyline.
lekakis's review against another edition
3.0
25% of the books is spent to catch up a new reader with the story so far. The rest of the 75% is not very good either.
leesmyth's review against another edition
5.0
Not a quick read for me, but what a tremendous ending!!
One quote particularly struck my eye today. Stephen has the oppotunity to observe a middle-aged woman sharing a carriage with Diana for several minutes. She is über-fashionably dressed and Stephen considers her “good-looking in a hard, determined way, a fair example of the Napoleonic court, not Diana's style at all, at all” (347).
In The Hobbit, Bilbo likewise has the opportunity to observe three trolls before they become aware of him. He recognizes them as trolls due to their great heavy faces, “and their size, and the shape of their legs, not to mention their language, which was not drawing-room fashion at all, at all.”
I doubt O'Brian had The Hobbit in mind here, but I love that Bilbo and Stephen have essentially the same reaction to vulgarity, expressed in similar language.
One quote particularly struck my eye today. Stephen has the oppotunity to observe a middle-aged woman sharing a carriage with Diana for several minutes. She is über-fashionably dressed and Stephen considers her “good-looking in a hard, determined way, a fair example of the Napoleonic court, not Diana's style at all, at all” (347).
In The Hobbit, Bilbo likewise has the opportunity to observe three trolls before they become aware of him. He recognizes them as trolls due to their great heavy faces, “and their size, and the shape of their legs, not to mention their language, which was not drawing-room fashion at all, at all.”
I doubt O'Brian had The Hobbit in mind here, but I love that Bilbo and Stephen have essentially the same reaction to vulgarity, expressed in similar language.
sprior's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ckjaer88's review against another edition
4.0
I'll admit, I took a really long break shortly after starting this. It wasn't intentionally! So when I finally relocated my copy, the reading again went smoothly. And I must say; I really do love this series! If you're not used to it, it takes a page or two to get into the old fashioned jargon - but then it's smooth sailing (pun intended).
This particular novel I found extra enjoyable, as the enemy this time in parts of the book is my native country - Denmark. The british having bombed my capital some years before and my love for Aubrey and Maturin, gave me a bit of an emotional conundrum.
And the ending! It has you by the edge of your seat and as I was reading the last couple of pages I was swearing myself all to hell for not having the next book right at hand!
If you enjoyed the movie 'Master and Commander' you should must certainly read this series - and hope to all the heavens that there will someday be a sequal. (And I'm not just saying that in the hopes of seeing the dear Russell crowe in silk stockings and that amazing naval uniform once more. no sir. Not at all!)
This particular novel I found extra enjoyable, as the enemy this time in parts of the book is my native country - Denmark. The british having bombed my capital some years before and my love for Aubrey and Maturin, gave me a bit of an emotional conundrum.
And the ending! It has you by the edge of your seat and as I was reading the last couple of pages I was swearing myself all to hell for not having the next book right at hand!
If you enjoyed the movie 'Master and Commander' you should must certainly read this series - and hope to all the heavens that there will someday be a sequal. (And I'm not just saying that in the hopes of seeing the dear Russell crowe in silk stockings and that amazing naval uniform once more. no sir. Not at all!)
fflf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
clockworkvk's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a great book! Tense, unpredictable, and fun.
Minor spoiler:
OMG, the title is such a charming misdirection! You sort of think Jagiello will be in some way "the surgeon's mate", or at least I did, until the last page, where the actual meaning hits you like a brick!
I treasure the fact that unlike some authors, O'Brian loves his characters, and wants them to be happy, at least sometimes.
Five stars on the strength of the title alone, if nothing else.
Minor spoiler:
OMG, the title is such a charming misdirection! You sort of think Jagiello will be in some way "the surgeon's mate", or at least I did, until the last page, where the actual meaning hits you like a brick!
I treasure the fact that unlike some authors, O'Brian loves his characters, and wants them to be happy, at least sometimes.
Five stars on the strength of the title alone, if nothing else.
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Reading Patrick O'Brian is such a pleasure. Here he comes in hot from page one impressing the reader with a profound love of seamanship, his characters, and the English language. This is a book that dazzles and one of the best written ones yet.
dotorsojak's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Certainly a readable entry in the Aubrey/Maturin series, but not one of my favorites. The voyage to the Baltic is especially uninspiring, though it's nice to follow on a map if you are not so familiar with that part of the world, which I am not.
There's a funny scene near the end where Jack discusses a vessel named "Oedipus" with one of his officers. Vintage PO'B humor.
Certainly a readable entry in the Aubrey/Maturin series, but not one of my favorites. The voyage to the Baltic is especially uninspiring, though it's nice to follow on a map if you are not so familiar with that part of the world, which I am not.
There's a funny scene near the end where Jack discusses a vessel named "Oedipus" with one of his officers. Vintage PO'B humor.