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Thank you so much for the links! I think that the Aubrey/Maturin novels will convert wonderfully to film. So much that O'Brian has to spend many words on - such as the sheer grandeur of being at sea - can be conveyed immediately via film. As with LOTR, though, I pray that the effort does justice to the original material. Any hints of leftist anti-imperialism would spell doom. Aubrey and Maturin's faith in the British Empire, and in the evil of Napoleonic dictatorship, is unshakeable.

I think I've probably had a similar experience with the books to yours since my father turned me on to them a couple of years ago. I read, and loved, Master and Commander despite the challenge, but bogged down in Post-Captain and set the series aside until a few months ago.

Then I discovered that my local library has the entire series in unabridged audiobook! My commute is an hour each way, all no-brainer cruise control, so it's perfect for audiobooks. The O'Brian books are ideal for this medium because I don't have to stumble over the pronunciation, or get hung up trying to tell a foretopsail from a mizzenmast.

My favorite so far is HMS Surprise. Aubrey's courtship of Sophie, Maturin dueling over Viller's, Aubrey's bold defense of the East India Company fleet, the degree to which the real India of the 19th century is conjured. Amazing stuff. Although Aubrey fussing over his cottage and struggling with matrimony at the beginning of Desolation Island was hilarious, and the wide-ranging naval strategy of Aubrey as commandore in The Mauritius Command was fascinating.

Gee, can you tell I'm hooked on these books? I seriously think they contend with Tolkien for the best episodic fiction written in the 20th century. I can't believe I never encountered them in college literature classes. Just goes to show how much the leftists rule the university.

I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY in saying they contend with LOTR...I am very fussy about which books I read. Over the past few years I have dwlet more in the non-fiction section of literature...so you can imagine how happy I was to pick up obriens books! I have always had an attraction to the sea and sailing ships and all that falderol, but I am too chicken to actually go out and "be in the waters." I like the safety of land, landlubber that I am!

Anyway, I forgot to include a couple of more links. Murph's Place

someone from AICN gave a brief report, although I am tempted to write to AICN to ditch this guy and not use him again, because of his flippant disregard for not keeping up with names and making character judgements without having done his background research. He called Stephen Maturin GAY! short review

But AICN has more to say, and its all good. I am excited!

More good reviews from AICN

I have founded through most of M&C and making my way through Post Captain, although I find myself thumbign through to those parts where Jack and Steven are trying to figure out the games Sophie and Diane are playing with the poor boys. I love that Maturin keeps telling Sophie how to get to Aubrey, but I could really strangle her for being such a wuss for so long!

Then I discovered that my local library has the entire series in unabridged audiobook!

That would be a great way to enjoy the Aubrey/Maturin novels. I read and enjoyed "Master and Commander", but just couldn't get into "Desolation Island" before the time ran out and I had to take it back to the library. Maybe I'll pick it back up again in the winter.