logo

58 pages 1 hour read

Master and Commander

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1969

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Patrick O'Brian

Master and Commander

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1969
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Napoleonic Wars • 1800s

Publication Year

1969

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian follows Jack Aubrey's first appointment as captain of the HMS Sophie and his growing friendship with Irish Catalan physician Stephen Maturin. They embark on a mission to capture enemy ships during the Napoleonic Wars, leading to the capture of the Spanish ship Cacafuego and facing challenges from rivalries, personal conflicts, and naval battles. The book contains racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language.

Adventurous

Suspenseful

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.3

68,302 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander is widely praised for its historical accuracy and rich nautical detail, appealing to fans of naval fiction. The character development, particularly of Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin, is highly lauded. However, some readers find the technical jargon daunting and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a compelling read for history enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Master and Commander?

A reader who enjoys detailed historical fiction, naval adventures, and rich character development will find Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian captivating. Fans of C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series and Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels will appreciate O'Brian's meticulous research and dynamic storytelling.

4.3

68,302 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Napoleonic Wars • 1800s

Publication Year

1969

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.