Liked It“Somehow Patrick O'Brien brings me back to this rather straight-laced, adventure-rolling world of the British Navy. Having not read the book before or the book after this particular one, I wasn't that far lost, as Patrick brought me up to speed. It was an enjoyable adventure, but I wished it had...” see full review » see other reviews » |
“Somehow Patrick O'Brien brings me back to this rather straight-laced, adventure-rolling world of the British Navy. Having not read the book before or the book after this particular one, I wasn't that far lost, as Patrick brought me up to speed. It was an enjoyable adventure, but I wished it had reached a definitive end, instead of making a sequel... not only obvious, but necessary.”
Albigensia wrote this review Tuesday, October 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“starcrossed said: Rated: 4 stars
The Thirteen Gun Salute by Patrick O'Brien takes place in the Napoleonic Era. Number 13 in a long series of nautically based novels, on which the movie Master and Commander was based.”
“Liked this one though it had very little action. Has more of a psychological focus as they have to carry an oddball envoy to and from a mission to the Malays. Does have quite a lot of natural history for the Doctor.”
TheophileEscargot wrote this review Tuesday, June 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“(book 13 of a 21-book series, published 1989):
6980 pages of pure joy - culturally & linguistically immersive historical literature, set on the sea of the Napoleonic Wars. Ah, so captivating, I sincerely miss plunging from one book to the next now that they're complete. Yes, this was an adventure my Mom started me on, buying one of the first books as a present based on a review she read. The language, the leadership, the relations, the sea, rich with characters one learns to love. I'll look back with fondness on my 21 weeks of sailing with O'Brian across his inspired imagination.”
“It took some tugging from my friends to get me into Patrick O'Brian's Age of Sail novels. I have no particular interest in ships, war, or anything to do with the men involved. But these books are simply amazing.
The writing is breathtakingly brilliant. T
here is no resisting the characterizations -- if you enjoy novels at all, you'll be hooked within a few chapters. O'Brian is incisive and unsparing as he introduces Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey, and you love them anyway.
O'Brian's descriptive powers are without peer: his ability to covey smell, taste -- and even motion -- are almost uncanny. And dearest to my heart is his Austen-like wit: bone-dry and sneaky.
You can start anywhere in the Aubrey novels and have a great time, but if you want the full experience go for Master and Commander. It just gets better from there.”