A review by datrnq
The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian

5.0

In my second (or fourth?) time through this series, I find myself appreciating Dr Maturin more and more as a character. And this book, while full of the same excellent treatment of naval combat as the first three volumes of the series, is really an exceptional exploration of the main characters. This time through I find myself truly appreciative of the third-person view of Captain Aubrey, through the eyes and expressions of Lord Clonfert. Clonfert, a dismissible and pitiable character by himself, becomes an interesting lens through which we view Aubrey. Maturin’s interactions with MacAdam also serve (in retrospect) as grim foreshadowing of his own (Maturin’s) descent later in the series. I liked the book the first time through. Loved it this time.