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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love the Aubrey & Maturin series but I was at a disadvantage with this book. I had recently rewatched the movie Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World so, instead of reading in the series order, I jumped to the tenth book as the movie is based on #1 and #10.
My disadvantage is that I was too focused on the plot of the movie. I kept expecting certain things to happen and was thrown off when they didn’t. That said, O’Brian is always a delight, sardonic and witty as well as entertaining and educational. I know better than to compare book and movies - it’s just frustrating.
This book sees the Surprise round Cape Horn and search the coast of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador for an American frigate that’s been attacking British whalers. There is a lot of strife, both on board and off, and a lot of physical deprivation and desolation. The characters were miserable for most of the story, showing yet again that sailor’s life was far from enviable.
My disadvantage is that I was too focused on the plot of the movie. I kept expecting certain things to happen and was thrown off when they didn’t. That said, O’Brian is always a delight, sardonic and witty as well as entertaining and educational. I know better than to compare book and movies - it’s just frustrating.
This book sees the Surprise round Cape Horn and search the coast of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador for an American frigate that’s been attacking British whalers. There is a lot of strife, both on board and off, and a lot of physical deprivation and desolation. The characters were miserable for most of the story, showing yet again that sailor’s life was far from enviable.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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