 "Great improvement over "Master and Commander"" | 2009-09-07 |
| - Reviewed By nadinesh |
| An enormous improvement over "Master and Commander" in technique, richness, depth and interest. An utter delight to read and ultimately a simply brilliant novel. A great place to start the series, since the first book would probably not have given me any impetus to continue the series, but "Post Captain" presents the best of O'Brian fully-formed: cheeky, elegant, deep and delightful. |
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| "Arduous But Rewarding Reading" | 2009-06-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1U6GK5GFUIFBD |
I can not adequately express my love for this series. Other reader reviews have more than captured the many attributes of O'Brian's work. However, I will say that these novels are hard to read. The difficulty, as others have pointed out, rests in O'Brian's strict and consistent use of historical/nautical terminology and phrases. At the very least, this results in curiosity and in some sections of text being lost on the reader; at worst, it results in confusion and an obsessive quest to dig up the remains of a forgotten language. I've found myself to be a victim of the latter consequence.
In reading O'Brian, I've found the following resources to be indispensable when it comes to deciphering the nautical and historical terms and phrases in his writings.
1. The Chapman Sailor's Lexicon.
2. Seamanship In the Age of Sail.
3. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.
4. The Ashley Book of Knots.
These resources rarely fail me. Early on, you will consult them several times per page of O'Brian. However, as you slowly begin to absorb the vocabulary, your reading experience will be richly enhanced. |
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| "A Marvellous Book" | 2009-05-20 |
| - Reviewed By User: AMGKVVJ1E6Y3A |
After having read the whole Aubrey/Maturin series of novels - and reveled in them - I can wholeheartedly recommend Post Captain - and the whole of the series - to one and all.
I sent both Post Captain, and Captain and Commander, to a dear friend to introduce him to O'Brian. Needless to say he is now equally enthusiastic. |
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 "Off to sea with Jack Aubrey" | 2009-02-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: AAYX6OJSIBVPD |
| Such a trip - When you want to get away from the darn dailys and live a little in your imagination, this is a book to pick up. Besides, the language is charming, as are the characters, and a bit of a challenge. All the words are compatible with nineteenth century English; sailors' language is a new area for expertise; and all the words are precise and in the right places. |
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| "Aubrey makes Post-Captain, crosses swords with Maturin over money and women" | 2008-10-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2G3U6AM951P6D |
Second installment of the Master and Commander series focusing on Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, in which we learn that Aubrey is not a good handler of money, and Maturin not a good judge of women, then that Aubrey is not a good judge of money, and Maturin not a good handler of women. And the two friends nearly come to a duel over their differences about . . . .
. . . money and women--or rather one particular woman.
Fortunately, a naval emergency calls them to duty before the duel can take place, and their differences are patched over.
Aubrey makes Post-Captain, kind of a tenured Navy officer for life who will eventually make Admiral if he outlives those ahead of him on the list. Maturin is given a temporary commission as a captain as the book ends, in furtherance of his shadowy secret intelligence.
And yes, this was a large-print edition--it was the only version of the book I could find on the shelf. No wisecracks!
Third in the series: HMS " Surprise " (Windsor Selection) |
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| "Good followup" | 2008-08-16 |
| - Reviewed By noxush |
The second book in Patrick O' Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, 'Post Captain' is a worthy follow up to 'Master & Commander'. This novel has the usual naval action, but much of it takes place on land giving the reader a broader overview of English society in the early years of the 1800's.
I have some quibbles, the difficulty in understanding nautical terms and 19th century slang made following the plot difficult at times, which was compounded by O'Brian's writing style, where scenes change without warning. Also I found the lack of a map(s) irritating.
On the other side of the scale there is the fascinating detail in not just naval life in the Napoleonic era, but life in early 19th century England in general. There is also the wonderful characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. And of course lots of action with the occasional bit of humour (for example Stephen's bees on the 'HMS Lively')
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