The Ionian Mission by Patrick O’BrianMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tough sailors reading poetry? Really?!
Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are sent out on a less interesting mission in this book, and unfortunately, I found it tedious at times. It is quite humorous in some places and having Jack Aubrey trying to cope with his debts at home while taking on this duty reminded me about his mis-management of his financial affairs in the previous novel. Stephen, together with his espionage skills, is also needed in the Mediterranean for anti-French political reasons. This becomes much clearer later and his chase from London to HMS Worcester, Jack’s new command, is particularly exciting. The boring time spent during a blockade is spent on poetry, a play of Hamlet and as usual Jack and Stephen playing together on their string instruments. I found the idea of poetry and Hamlet performed by the Midshipmen and their officers quite unrealistic. Maybe the author knows a lot more than most of his readers about on board entertainment? Regarding the topic of battles at sea etc. most of this occurs within the political rivalry between some rulers under the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. It was quite Interesting but again I felt it was a little too romantic and imaginative.
