Book #23 - Post Captain *Audiobook*

Another audiobook done, and I'm still counting them because I can! This time it's the second in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey, Maturin series, 'Post Captain'.

Post Captain starts just after the end of Master and Commander. Jack and Stephen have returned to England following peace with France. They're living off the vast prize money that Jack has gained during their exploits in the first book. Throwing lavish parties, and living above his means, Jack quickly finds himself in financial difficulties as his Prize Agent and courts see Jack's fortune wiped, and Jack is pursued for debts of over £10,000 (just shy of £1m in today's money)

With the peace, there is very little for Jack to do in the Navy, there is no enemy at this time, so with Stephen, he flees to France, just at the wrong time, as having just landed, the tyrant Bonaparte breaks the treaty and declares war on Britain. What follows is a hilarious section of the book involving a bear... I won't give too much away, but it had me smiling!

Jack and Steven eventually find their way back to England, where Jack is given command of an... odd ship, HMS Polychrest. It was at this point in the book where locations nearby are mentioned in detail, with Jack and his officers venturing to Priddy's Hard in Gosport for a bit of a party!

Without giving too much away, Jack finds himself once again hauled for an enquiry as he loses a ship, gets promoted to Post Captain and given a temporary command, where he captures a Spanish convoy with a huge fortune on board. Could this be the end of his financial woes? I certainly hope so.

As a rip roaring action and adventure book, Post Captain falls short, unlike Master and Commander. Much of the book is set on land as opposed to the sea. There's definitely a big element of romance running through the book, as Jack and Steven both fall for women, and I'm sure I haven't seen the last of them yet! This book tests the boundaries of their friendship, and they come very close to a fatal duel, over a woman.

Patrick O'Brian is absolutely brilliant at character creation, with Jack, so strong and confident on deck suddenly reduced to an insecure wreck on land. Steven on the other hand is a crazed genius, bringing random animals onto the boat, to dissect or study, as well as his other role of ship's surgeon.

All in all it's a good introduction to the series, which seems strange as it's book number two. I'm looking forward to the third book to see just how Jack and Steven fare in the future.

Post Captain: 4cm

Total read so far: 23 books, 69cm

Total left to read: 124cm (4 feet!)

I'm 27.5cm away from half way!