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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
I have read this book numerous times and each time it gives me something new. This time I especially appreciated the sense of humor throughout, from Jack Aubrey’s social blundering to Stephen Maturin’s frequent nautical faux pas. There is a great deal that’s quite serious, of course, but I laughed out loud a lot.
This series of twenty-one books about the English Royal Navy of the end of the 18th C through the first part of the 19th is full of historical detail. What really gives it life is the in-depth characterization - many of the minor characters are as well-rounded as the two primaries. We’re introduced to the life of a seaman through Jack’s teaching Stephen the ways of his ship. The battle scenes are as rousing as the melancholy ones are tender.
The writing is excellent, especially so since it so perfectly mimics that of the time period it describes. I can’t recommend these books highly enough, and this first in the series, where Jack and Stephen meet and become friends, will always be my favorite.
This series of twenty-one books about the English Royal Navy of the end of the 18th C through the first part of the 19th is full of historical detail. What really gives it life is the in-depth characterization - many of the minor characters are as well-rounded as the two primaries. We’re introduced to the life of a seaman through Jack’s teaching Stephen the ways of his ship. The battle scenes are as rousing as the melancholy ones are tender.
The writing is excellent, especially so since it so perfectly mimics that of the time period it describes. I can’t recommend these books highly enough, and this first in the series, where Jack and Stephen meet and become friends, will always be my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, Vomit, Bullying, Classism, War, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, Gore, Grief, and Racism
ricksilva's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jack Aubrey, a young officer in the British Navy, gets his first command, the sloop Sophie. Sophie is not exactly the most prestigious of vessels, but Aubrey is determined to get the crew into fighting trim and get down to the business of raiding French supply lines in the Mediterranean for the sake of cashing in on prize money awarded for enemy vessels captured.
Aubrey convinces his new friend, physician and aspiring naturalist Stephen Maturin to sign on as ship's doctor, and they set sail along with a troubled young lieutenant carrying the emotional baggage of his involvement in the Irish uprising.
The life-at-sea details in the story are great. The characters are quirky and severely flawed, but brave and competent when it counts. There's a definite Kirk-and-Spock vibe to the two main characters, especially as Jack Aubrey's tastes for affairs with the wives of higher ranking officers keeps getting him into trouble ashore. Maturin, meanwhile, provides the reader with an outsider's view of naval routines and traditions.
The battle scenes are excellent, but the plot loses a bit of steam at the end, as circumstances force Aubrey to sit out a major battle, and a bit of courtroom drama doesn't quite live up to the level of climax that the author seemed to be intending.
Aubrey convinces his new friend, physician and aspiring naturalist Stephen Maturin to sign on as ship's doctor, and they set sail along with a troubled young lieutenant carrying the emotional baggage of his involvement in the Irish uprising.
The life-at-sea details in the story are great. The characters are quirky and severely flawed, but brave and competent when it counts. There's a definite Kirk-and-Spock vibe to the two main characters, especially as Jack Aubrey's tastes for affairs with the wives of higher ranking officers keeps getting him into trouble ashore. Maturin, meanwhile, provides the reader with an outsider's view of naval routines and traditions.
The battle scenes are excellent, but the plot loses a bit of steam at the end, as circumstances force Aubrey to sit out a major battle, and a bit of courtroom drama doesn't quite live up to the level of climax that the author seemed to be intending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and War
Minor: Homophobia
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Alcohol, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, and War
Minor: Rape, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
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