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A review by christinecc
The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian
3.0
Another adventure with Aubrey & Maturin, now older and twice as frustrated with life! But they go on a road trip/naval mission and all is well (except for the battles and the naval bureaucracy politics).
Aubrey's got money troubles again. He's disappointed that he has two daughters instead of a son (oh Aubrey... why??). I appreciate that O'Brian writes flawed characters. There are bumps, and while I'm not thrilled with Aubrey's more than casual sexism, I love that the author has Maturin take the opposite perspective and dig into what makes Aubrey tick. It's fine to have a sexist character, but it's much better to show a range of opinions and understand where they each come from. Aubrey's career is stalled, he misses the job that gave him purpose and satisfaction (so he's feeling super insecure and frustrated in an unfamiliar domestic environment), and now he has the added pressure of having daughters to provide for instead of a son for whom he could soon provide professional training and a budding career. And now that his wife's lost all her money, he knows there isn't a safety net. Part of Aubrey definitely values boys over girls, but at least O'Brian roots that sentiment in societal and socio-economic reasons.
Meanwhile Maturin is DEEPLY depressed and dosing himself with opium to combat his mounting "disgust" with humanity and every aspect of life, he says so casually. Maturin needs help and therapy is what I'm trying to say. It's very upsetting. Please fix this soon, O'Brian.
Recommended if you've made it this far and you've become attached to these characters (but honestly, a lot of this book was difficult to follow because of the many, many naval strategy descriptions and the slow pace).
Aubrey's got money troubles again. He's disappointed that he has two daughters instead of a son (oh Aubrey... why??). I appreciate that O'Brian writes flawed characters. There are bumps, and while I'm not thrilled with Aubrey's more than casual sexism, I love that the author has Maturin take the opposite perspective and dig into what makes Aubrey tick. It's fine to have a sexist character, but it's much better to show a range of opinions and understand where they each come from. Aubrey's career is stalled, he misses the job that gave him purpose and satisfaction (so he's feeling super insecure and frustrated in an unfamiliar domestic environment), and now he has the added pressure of having daughters to provide for instead of a son for whom he could soon provide professional training and a budding career. And now that his wife's lost all her money, he knows there isn't a safety net. Part of Aubrey definitely values boys over girls, but at least O'Brian roots that sentiment in societal and socio-economic reasons.
Meanwhile Maturin is DEEPLY depressed and dosing himself with opium to combat his mounting "disgust" with humanity and every aspect of life, he says so casually. Maturin needs help and therapy is what I'm trying to say. It's very upsetting. Please fix this soon, O'Brian.
Recommended if you've made it this far and you've become attached to these characters (but honestly, a lot of this book was difficult to follow because of the many, many naval strategy descriptions and the slow pace).