Patrick O'Brian - Master and Commander
Discussion
Another vote here, felt quite bereft when I finished the last one Blue at the Mizzen, I didn't get the last one as it just looked like it would be a disappointment. It's probably long enough now for me to start reading them again.
The language takes some getting used to at first, I remember at the start with the first book reading all the words on a page and thinking "I don't really know what's going on here". You get used to it very quickly though. The books vary somewhat I found, with adventures in some parts of the world inherently more interesting than others. There's no other series like them for bringing a whole different world to life.
The language takes some getting used to at first, I remember at the start with the first book reading all the words on a page and thinking "I don't really know what's going on here". You get used to it very quickly though. The books vary somewhat I found, with adventures in some parts of the world inherently more interesting than others. There's no other series like them for bringing a whole different world to life.
Nom de ploom said:
I'm not going to spolier this but if you had told me a series of books about a great naval captain would involve a trek across southern france and northern spain dressed as a bear I'd have told you to get the f
k outta dodge...
and then in book two....
k outta dodge...and then in book two....
I think #2 is my favourite book in a lot of ways. The genius of Patrick O'Brian is his character development, and their relationships with one another.
No one does it better IMO.
jmorgan said:
Shaolin said:
maturin23 said:
Avoid reading about the author though!
I may regret this as I haven't, but why?jmorgan said:
Damn, like that red button with the sign "do not press"
If he hadn't said don't read about him, I would never have considered it.Anyway, nothing awful, just not quite the friendly old grandfather figure that he seems on the book cover which is not exactly a surprise.
I did find this however which may be of interest: http://www.patrickobrian.com/
Sorry chaps! "Don't think of an elephant!"
He definitely had a complicated life, but one thing that staggered me was Tom Perkins' account of the time he invited PoB onto his yacht (the incredible Maltese Falcon) and he basically couldn't helm, feel the wind angle and sail the appropriate course yet seemed unaware of it.
I've not yet sailed on a square-rigger but have done thousands of miles on some pretty big boats and I don't think he ever wrote any description of boat handling and weather that made suspect he wasn't as salty as they come.
All the more impressive I guess.
He definitely had a complicated life, but one thing that staggered me was Tom Perkins' account of the time he invited PoB onto his yacht (the incredible Maltese Falcon) and he basically couldn't helm, feel the wind angle and sail the appropriate course yet seemed unaware of it.
I've not yet sailed on a square-rigger but have done thousands of miles on some pretty big boats and I don't think he ever wrote any description of boat handling and weather that made suspect he wasn't as salty as they come.
All the more impressive I guess.
I wonder after the success of the film there were ever any plans to make these books into tv serials perhaps similar to Sharpe?
I think they would make for a great adaptation no wthat series like black sails have emerged and how sea going scenes can be shot on a budget that tv could afford as opposed to what hollywood could afford....
it would get my vote
I think they would make for a great adaptation no wthat series like black sails have emerged and how sea going scenes can be shot on a budget that tv could afford as opposed to what hollywood could afford....
it would get my vote
Another complete, unabashed fan here. Have read the entire series twice and have promised myself I will do so again as soon as I have given up work (which is quite soon, I'm pleased to say). By far and away my favourite books of all time, and I've read a great many.
As one reviewer said, I rather envy those who have yet to discover them, such an unalloyed joy they are.
As one reviewer said, I rather envy those who have yet to discover them, such an unalloyed joy they are.
A mate/colleague bought books one and two for me as holiday reads (I having admitted to not previously reading these books). I'm now complete enthusiast. The humour, as someone up-thread has already noted, is splendid, and I particularly admire the way PoB economically contracts entire conversations into just a few words, leaving the reader to fill the gaps however they please.
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