1st Lieutenant isn’t the same as First Mate, is it?
Yeah, that threw me for a bit too, plant. Dillon was 1st lieutenant, not 1st mate (I don’t believe such a thing existed in the RN), and he and Stephen were discussing the whole Irish Rebellion, not religion.
OP, I’d suggest trying Master & Commander again. Please, please, read as far as the part with the goat. If you don’t laugh out loud, then yes, you’re probably a bad person who will never enjoy the Aubrey/Maturin books.
Alternatively, read Desolation Island. You already know the characters, and this novel is flat out one of the finest in the series, and has practically no slow parts. Lots of action, lots of Jack at his best, and lots of Stephen at his best.
Or “Port Captain.” It’s impossible not to laugh at Maturin trying to smuggle Aubrey out of (I forget where) disguised as a trained bear.
Post Captain.
Through France and Spain, I believe.
No, you’re not a bad person because you didn’t like a series of books that I like. In fact, it makes me much more likely to invite over to my house, because my library will be safe… 
Entirely for curiosity, how have you enjoyed authors like Jane Austen? I find Patrick O’Brian is, uhh, strongly influenced by her style of writing.
Having just re-read Master and Commander quite recently (now halfway through Post Captain), I’m a little mystified by this - not by the gist of “I don’t really like/get these books”; That’s fine. Different strokes, different folks, whatever. But I don’t rememeber more than a page or two about James Dillon’s religious leanings, and since they happened so early in the book (During what I would think of as the “introducing the characters” stage) I can’t really fathom having problems with it. Especially after such an excellent first chapter.
Oh well.
Eh bien, a led bear knows how to dance. That is logic.
I also just could not read O’Brian. Many attempts but something about the writing, or maybe it was the story, kept me from getting going. Then I discovered Audio books. I always recommmend the Patrick O’Brian books as the best audio books I’ve ever … read(?), listened to?
Anyway, awesome books on CD or tape. I’ve read and loved (almost) all of them. I’ve never actually read any of them.
I’ve read the series twice and I’ve listened to several of the audiobooks. I think the humor works better on the written page, but it’s wonderful to hear the naval action read aloud, with everything pronounced correctly.
I can certainly understand that these books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I’d never heard of them until the movie. We went to see it with some friends, and when we left the theater they were very “meh” about the movie, while I went home and immediately ordered the first book.
Ok, maybe it wasn’t two or three whole chapters, just seemed like it. I feel like I ought to give the series at least one more chance. Perhaps after several stiff martinis I may have another go at it. Wish me luck!
Should really be Grog, I would think.
Damn your eyes you sons of whores! I demand satisfaction!
Round three for me, up to Surgeon’s Mate at the moment.
I do wish there were more footnotes, all that latin, I’m missing out.
The bottle stands beside you, Sir.
I have the honour of presenting ‘A Sea of Words’.
I second this recommendation. Even if it’s occasionally hit-or-miss, it’s a great resource for the novels.
Which it’s a waste of time reading the damned things, if they don’t take your fancy, mate. The dear knows, there are plenty of other good books in the world; there’s nothing wrong with not liking a particular author.
On the other hand, it took me a couple of tries to get into O’Brien, but like Terraplane, I got hooked and have been sailing the barky ever since.
If you do decide to stick with it, I second the recommendation of A Sea Of Words. O’Brien is a howlingly funny writer, but his humor is very vey subtle.
A glass of wine with you, sir.
The main reason I’d like to get with this stuff is that Naval books, both historical and fictional, are about my favorite. And O’Brian’s books seem that they should be a treasure trove of this type of literature. OK, I promise that I’ll grit my teeth and try again!
A Jack might say, “If at first you don’t succeed, then the bird has obviously flown from the bush. Wait, that’s not quite right. Damn it all, Stephen, what are you smirking at?”
Have you even read any of the action sequences yet?
I do believe Jack did say, “You can’t have your bird and eat it, too.”
Jack Aubrey is a God at sea in command of a ship, but a complete twit ashore, for example dealing with finances.
Stephen Marturin once tells an Admiral, “I would sail with two boards nailed together if Jack Aubrey were in command.”