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"Gerry Venteicher" <MRBEAR569@aol.com> wrote in message
news:G4qzo5.LxM@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
>
> > This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> > staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of • this
> > year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> > bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm • on
> > the 13th one at the moment.
> Hi Bruce,
> Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian • would
> be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound • really
> interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
> Hardbacks from?
> Thanks,
> Gerry
Hi,
Do read them all - start with book one and continue in sequence.
The initial collision of the principals is entertaining in itself.
You'll enjoy the experience all the more going from #1 onward (I guess, as
it's what I've done.)
Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
sold many more.
I suppose I hadn't a clue a lot what the various widgets and winds were most
of the time,
but like children don't fully understand what they read or watch, this
leaves plenty of room for the
imagination, which aids in the escapism.
I'm nearing the end of #19 now and when #20 is done I'll be thoroughly
saddened.
I'll have lost some good friends in Maturin & Aubrey. Some meandering,
lifeless passages on the way,
but absolutely top-class taken altogether.
Enjoy.
Ronan
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In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> "Gerry Venteicher" <MRBEAR569@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:G4qzo5.LxM@lugnet.com...
> > In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> >
> > > This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> > > staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of • this
> > > year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> > > bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm • on
> > > the 13th one at the moment.
> > Hi Bruce,
> > Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian • would
> > be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound • really
> > interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
> > Hardbacks from?
> > Thanks,
> > Gerry
>
> Hi,
> Do read them all - start with book one and continue in sequence.
> The initial collision of the principals is entertaining in itself.
> You'll enjoy the experience all the more going from #1 onward (I guess, as
> it's what I've done.)
> Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> sold many more.
Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
I'd rather warn people that the first can be a little difficult, but calmer
waters are ahead, rather than have them expect a typhoon of technicalia in
every book. And this is coming from someone who spent a considerable amount
of time sailing boats as a teenager - someone who is clueless about such
basics as larboard, abaft, leeward, and stays might find it (as does Dr.
Maturin) a little much to absorb all at once.
In any case, I'd recommend chronological order if only because O'Brian often
starts the next novel exactly at the point the previous one ends.
Bruce
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Bruce Schlickbernd wrote:
> In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> > Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> > sold many more.
>
> Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
> around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
Really? I loved the first one, thought the beginning of the second was rather
slow,
but now that he's on his bizarre double-bowed ship, things are picking up again.
The technical terminology didn't bothe rme at all...but it did cause me to pick
up a
copy of the _Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea_.
Even without that, though, Maturin is a complete 'lubber and often has to have
nautical things explained to him during the course of the book, so it's possible
to follow the important stuff.
J
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In lugnet.pirates, Jeff Johnston writes:
> Bruce Schlickbernd wrote:
>
> > In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> > > Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> > > sold many more.
> >
> > Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
> > around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
>
> Really? I loved the first one, thought the beginning of the second was rather
> slow,
> but now that he's on his bizarre double-bowed ship, things are picking up again.
I think he learned after the first not to go quite so overboard on pages and
pages of nautical jargon explanation. But then again, once you go through
it, you are better prepared for the succeeding novels. And yes, I have
gotten that comment above at least a half a dozen times.
The second novel is slow at the start, but again, this is developing
characters and situations that are going to last the entire series.
If you are happy with the first two books, you should be delighted with the
next three. Desolation Island is perhaps my favorite so far.
>
> The technical terminology didn't bothe rme at all...but it did cause me to pick
> up a
> copy of the _Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea_.
Mostly they (the technical lectures) were boring. He gets better about
slipping the stuff into the story smoothly. Personally, I like Stephen
Biesty's Cross-sections Man of War book.
>
> Even without that, though, Maturin is a complete 'lubber and often has to have
> nautical things explained to him during the course of the book, so it's possible
>
> to follow the important stuff.
>
> J
And remains a steadfast clueless lubber (and convenient expository device).
:-)
Bruce
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