redfiona99

The fourth book in the Aubrey-Maturin novels, it feels like dropping by on old friends, for the first time in some while (to the point of wondering if I'd skipped a book accidentally).

I found it a rollicking good read, but probably not where you'd start off someone new to the series.

Desolation Island by Patrick O'Brian
A sea of words by Dean King
The Commodore by C. S. Forester
Harbors and High Seas, 3rd Edition : An Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Complete Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O' by Dean King
The Unknown Shore by Patrick O'Brian
The Golden Ocean by Patrick O'Brian
Lobscouse and Spotted Dog: Which It's a Gastronomic Companion to the Aubrey/Maturin Novels by Anne Chotzinoff Grossman
Patrick O'Brian's Navy: The Illustrated Companion to Jack Aubrey's World by Richard O'Neill
Men-Of-War: Life in Nelson's Navy by Patrick O'Brian
Harbors and High Seas: An Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O'Brian by Dean King

Mostly expected O'Brian-alia or other age of sail fiction.

A Brief Note On Characters In Historical Novels

I can see why there's the temptation to make sure your characters, or certainly the ones the audience is supposed to root for, on the right side of history, but I feel stories work better when they don't, and a character's politics/ethics/what-have-you fit in with their background. In this case, I can easily believe that Jack Aubrey thinks the way he does, and Maturin disagrees with him on most points, and the way they disagree. They feel like real people and real friends because O'Brian resists the urge to prettify his heroes.

Next book:

Should be 'Canticle for Leibowitz' but given how much it disturbed/distressed me (in the good way) the first time I tried it, I have gone with 'The Piranha Club: Power and Influence in Formula One', which was a birthday present from L.