Master and Commander

Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian (1969) The first entry of a 20 book series (so if you love it, you’re in luck!) published over like 30 years—which I certainly didn’t know about back when it came out. At that age I read so many seafaring books—I think I would have liked it. Maybe it would have been too adult for me, though that didn’t stop me—the same way my ignorance of world history, British naval culture, and technical matters regarding ships and sailing don’t stop me now—from enjoying it immensely. There was a time when I felt I had to be “prepared” for a book, but now I’m more apt to jump right in, knowing that I can easily re-read (or re-listen) to it, no problem. The excellent writing really paints a picture of life aboard this Royal Navy ship, a “sloop-of-war,” around 1800, during the Napoleonic Wars. The heart of the book is the intense friendship between these two very different men—the ship’s captain, Jack Aubrey, and the adopted ship’s surgeon, Stephen Maturin. Aubrey is a real character, both really smart and kind of blundering—but calm and fearless, and an unusual but vivid hero. Maturin is a nautical novice, so we get to learn the basics, as well as insights and nuances of seafaring life through his eyes. Both of them are a little nuts—so I can relate to both! There is no small amount of humor in the depictions here, either, but also, a respectable amount of horror, but not so much that I had to constantly turn away. There’s action, but just enough not to bore me. And enough politics, insider insight, nautical jargon, and intrigue that I knew I wasn’t getting half of it (for me, a good feeling, truthfully). But learning some things before I return to it (or its sequels) would be rewarding. Also, the language throughout is delightful.

4.19.26