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14 November 2003 — Patrick O'Brian (18)

I never knew Kris' grandmother well. What connection we did have was made through books. She shared her favorite books with me, and I shared mine with her. For years she recommended I read a series of books by Patrick O'Brian. This twenty book series comprised the ongoing adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his best friend, the surgeon (and sometimes spy) Stephen Maturin. I was intrigued enough to purchase the first book in the series, Master and Commander, but I never read it. I made attempts, but always became mired in the first few pages.

Then, when I met Joel, his enthusiasm for O'Brian persuaded me to give Master and Commander another chance. I'm glad I did. O'Brian's prose is anachronistic: it is thick and rich, almost Victorian. Yet it's tainted with a modern sensibility so that the reader does not become lost in ornate passages. O'Brian writes with intelligence and, especially, with wit. There are whole passages — twenty pages at a time — devoted to broad humor. (My favorite remains the ten pages or so devoted to the sloth in H.M.S. Surprise — great stuff!) One of the best things about O'Brian's books is their broad appeal: fully forty percent of his readers are women. His stories are about adventure, it's true, but they also contain strong friendships, a thirst for learning, bits of history, and even some romance. There's something for everybody, I think, and it only takes the perseverance to complete one novel to make you want to read them all.

I've still not read much of the Aubrey-Maturin series. (There are twenty books after all!) I've read the first three books, and started the fourth. Last summer I read the two O'Brian novels that prefigured these, however. The Golden Ocean and The Unknown Shore both related different aspects of Commodore Anson's circumnavigation of the globe during the eighteenth century. They're brilliant introductions to O'Brian's style and themes, and to naval fiction in general. The Golden Ocean has the additional virtue of including prototypes for Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin.

For our book group discussion of Post Captain, the second book in the Aubrey-Maturin series, Joel threw together a glossary of terms, at the bottom of which are links to O'Brian resources.

I asked Joel to recommend some O'Brian sites:

The World of Patrick O'Brian has a pretty good links page. The most entertaining site for me is the Patrick O'Brian discussion forum, mostly because the fan community there is really tight and bitchy. Probably my third favorite site is this fan's contribution. Rather than just enthuse about the books, she's done some excellent research on many of the different animals in the books. Not a complete list, which after seeing her website I feel a need to attempt, but an interesting site.
Why all this fuss about Patrick O'Brian today?

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, a film adaptation of the Aubrey-Maturin series, opens today. The film, which stars Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey, comprises scenes from several of the books in the series, which is mildly disappointing. It seems that this is to be a one-off adventure instead of the first film in a franchise. Still, the reviews are glowing. The Tomatometer is currently running at 88%, though at 100% from "cream of the crop". (It's interesting to note that the critics who don't like the film — such mainstays as one Jon Popick from Planet Sickboy (?!?!?) — universally fault it because it's boring. The better-known critics praise the film for its intelligence and maturity. Hmmm.) Roger Ebert gives the film four stars. (Here is Ebert's interview with Russell Crowe, which I posted in the flotch yesterday.) Here, too, is USA Today's 3-1/2 star review. The Oregonian's Shawn Levy likes the film, but worries that it's not for everybody. (Levy also speaks with director Peter Wier.)

As a public service, here are the film's showtimes in Oregon theaters. Dave and Joel and I have been unable to find a time that is mutually agreeable, so I am, as yet, unable to pay my debt from earlier in the year. Thus, I'm just going to catch a matinee on my own this afternoon. We can all three go next weekend maybe. (Along with Mac and Andrew and anyone else who'd like to come.)

Finally, here are some assorted timely links regarding Patrick O'Brian, his books, and the film adaptation:

Now I must change my focus to naval adventure of a different sort. I still have two hundred pages of Robinson Crusoe to finish before Sunday's book group meeting!

On this day at foldedspace.org

2002 — Meme Man   Here's a collection of links for your enjoyment (this time with sources for those of you who always ask where do you find this stuff?)

2001 — Unrelaxed   I didn't get the relaxing weekend that I had envisioned. Perhaps I'll give up on that plan.

Comments
On 14 November 2003 (09:15 AM), Lynn said:

I just started to read Master and Commander. After reading the forward, I found it rather quaint that Patrick O'Brian signed his initials as PO'B. If I were to marry someone whose last name was O'Leary -- I could sign my initials LO'L. hee hee.
I'm reading as fast as I can. I want to have it done before I see the movie. Can't wait!


On 14 November 2003 (09:47 AM), Dana said:

I think you meant 'threw together' instead of 'through together'...


On 14 November 2003 (10:19 AM), dowingba said:

Master and Commander is probably an amazing book (judging by the premise alone), but probably a horrible movie (judging by the premise alone).


On 14 November 2003 (01:24 PM), Jeff said:

Whoa... this is really weird. I got a score of 111.5 on the 80s music test too (see Misc. Flotch above).

Gee, can you tell that JD and I are only 16 months apart and grew up in the '80s?


On 14 November 2003 (01:39 PM), Tammy said:

Um. I like took the music test and like, um, well, like, I didn't do too well. Like here's what it said: Your generation stuck mine with a motherload of cultural horrors (bradys! disco! plaid! roller skating!). -30% for being a yuppie.

Um my score was like 5.7! I mean is that like bad or somethin'?


On 14 November 2003 (04:14 PM), Dave said:

133.5

but I should get extra points for "colitas"

The sad thing is that many of those albums I actually have.


On 14 November 2003 (06:23 PM), Marcia Parker said:

Hi JD,
Andrew gave me MASTER AND COMMANDER about three years ago, and I liked it so much that I read the entire series in about six months. I admire O'Brian's erudition and the humanity that he infuses into his main characters. I am quite taken by Maturin. Later, I read O'Brian's biography of Picasso, where his style is again very learned yet readable. I am sad that O'Brian is no longer with us.

Does one dare see the movie? Will it disappoint, or, like the Harry Potter films, be true to the original? I'll tune in for your opinion.

Andrew just alerted me to your page. It's fun.
Marcia


On 14 November 2003 (06:28 PM), Paul said:

JD,

(FINALLY HAVE A F#&*ING computer that works so I can reply!!!)

I read the first 2 books because I wanted to experience the series before the movie ruined it for me (probably the only movie better than the book is Bridges of Madison County). I didn't want to begin the series because there's so much out there to read why get mired down in a 21 volume series??? Which is why I don't read Science Fiction (why read it when there's real literature?) [I know, I know. I'm in trouble with that statement with this bunch.] But I really enjoy the Aubrey/Maturin series. O'Brian makes many poignant (?), profound (?), significant observations about life that are fascinating beyond the merely nautical (one of my favorites is the comment on the mating behavior of the praying mantis, makes me wonder what O'Brian was going through in his life at that time).

I just wished that I would have started reading them before I knew Russell Crowe was going to be Aubrey. Not that I disagree with the casting but I wanted to get my own impression of him without the visual. In the same way I'm ecstatic that I read Cold Mountain before they cast Renee Zellweger (sp?) as Ruby !?

Paul (in VA)


On 14 November 2003 (08:42 PM), Lynn said:

100.5 on the 80's Lyric test. Wow, that was fun!


On 14 November 2003 (10:56 PM), J.D. said:

Master and Commander review

Awesome film. The first hour is substantially unchanged from when we saw it at the end of July, though there are some added bits here and there. The last hour-and-a-half, which we didn't see at the end of July, is fantastic. This film succeeds because it is patient, it has faith in its subject matter, it is true to its characters. Pirates was fun, but fun goofy; this film is fun, but fun with quality. Boring? Only if you've been weened on a diet of action movies and MTV. There are some great moments in this film, and while it may not be worthy of Best Picture, it's the best film I've seen so far this year. (Note that I have not seen Lost in Translation, which, from all appearances, I will likely love.

The trailers were great, too, even the trailer for Cold Mountain. In fact, the Cold Mountain was so good that I became choked up. It looks as if Mineghella has been faithful to the subject matter, for the most part. Zellwegger as Ruby, my biggest worry, might work. We only see her twice in the trailer. In the first scene, she looks fine. In the second scene, she's not only pouting, she's crying. Ruby doesn't cry, goddamnit! I have very very high hopes for this film now. (Which is a good way to assure they're dashed, eh?)


On 15 November 2003 (03:21 PM), tammy said:

Oooooohh. Lets not even talk about Bridges of Madison County. My husband was so bored by it all and i bawled the entire way through. I just loved it! And for Cold Mountain, well, let me say that I'm not a huge fan of the book, however I loved Ruby. I will definitely make sure I see the movie.


On 15 November 2003 (06:40 PM), dowingba said:

Another off-topic comment (because of the lack of commenting priveleges on the "flotch" sidebar).

Probably the most uniquely Canadian product is bagged milk. I've never heard of any other country having milk in bags; I've even researched this. I'm probably wrong, though. I bet they have it in USA somewhere, but it certainly isn't very popular. It's quite popular here, though.

And in case you were wondering: it's milk in a bag; you put the bag into this plastic holding device and cut a corner off the top of the bag and voila.


On 15 November 2003 (10:32 PM), Rich said:

Well, we just finished watching Master and Commander and for my part I can't recall a better adaptation from a book. Therein lies the only real fault I could find, that since the movie primarily follows the 10th book in the series, those viewers who have not read the series (such as my wife) may find themselves unable to care much about the characters or their circumstances. Character development is almost minimal (with the exception of young Will) since the majority of the recurring characters were developed long ago. Aside from that, I loved every minute. I have read all 20 books (some more than once) and I was pleased to see small scenes that I found so important and would absolutely have missed had they been cut. There was a palpable tension in the theatre at all the right times and the feelings of loss and of victory were as real to me during the film as they were throughout the books. I wonder if viewers who have not read any of the series will understand or care about what those losses and victories mean.
I cringed when I heard the ads calling it "Gladiator on the high seas." Thankfully I never got that feeling. I did however get a very full picture of life at sea in a man of war and I smiled a lot at the little things someone took the time to include. HUZZAH for the Far Side of the World!


On 16 November 2003 (08:26 AM), Paul said:

JD,

You might want to read the NY Times review of the movie. It takes issue with the way the director changes some important details from the book: year of battle and name (and nationality) of enemy ship.

Paul

ps Haven't seen it yet but I will...


On 16 November 2003 (08:42 AM), Nikchick said:

I wonder if viewers who have not read any of the series will understand or care about what those losses and victories mean.

Certainly not with the depth of feeling those familiar with the books had, but I think they did enough character development to convey the gist of it to those of us who saw the movie cold.

My husband is a history buff who really digs the Napoleonic era (among others), and he thought the movie was excellent in that sense.


On 16 November 2003 (09:18 PM), Rich said:

I looked back through a few of the books and it is safe to say a few things were rearranged. But...I'm not sure I care. The details that I was so glad to see were the ones that stood out in my mind as quintessential to the characters. The hurt look on Maturin's face when the Galapagos are snatched from under his feet yet again, Aubrey telling the awful joke that he thought was so utterly funny, Killick hiding the good silver in the head during an action: these are what I remember when I put down the books. I think an honest effort was made to transfer the unique O'Brian style to the screen and it paid off, at least for me.


On 17 November 2003 (10:44 AM), Amanda said:

I was dragged to see Master and Commander yesterday against my better judgement... and came out of the theater a convert. It was fantastic! Definitely one of the best films by far this year (and I have seen Lost in Translation, which was quite excellent). There were even a few times I teared up in the movie (one of my barometers of whether or not a film is good). Now I might even be persuaded to read the book...


On 01 December 2004 (12:29 PM), Sue said:

I just got this new DVD on Geoff Hunt. He painted the Patrick O'Brian covers. It has some incredibly great stuff on O'Brian. The documentary showed letters Patrick O'Brian wrote to Geoff regarding the book covers. He also talks about advising on Master & Commander and the art is gorgeous. I mean gorgeous!

According to the quote on the cover Charlton Heston loved it, too. Hey, even if you don't agree with his politics he was a big POB fan. I highly recommend it, you can't go wrong on this one. You can get it from SEA-TV


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