Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brien, 1970.

Brian Gafney, a library patron, saw the movie and asked me to get the book through interlibrary loan. I'd just seen the movie too so I borrowed it when he was done with it, and we'll get the next one too. (I just found a paperback copy in my collection...) Begun with great enjoyment but shrank on me a little. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Jack Aubrey impresses me more in retrospect having read the book--Paul Bettany was good as Stephen Maturin, but not quite the Maturin of the book (who is physically different anyway, described as small and dark).

Both the accusations of "Tom Clancy on the high seas" and the hyperbole of "great literature" seem off the mark. The depth of characterization too well-done for the former, the tinge of "look how much research I've done!" too striking for the latter. I was also left with an impression of disjointedness overall.

Brian said this doesn't hold a candle to C.S. Forester, whom I don't recall ever reading. I found Commodore Hornblower in my collection, so I'll put that in the "read pretty soon" pile. I remember enjoying Mr. Midshipman Easy (Marryat), and the Swallows and Amazons series (Ransom) were favorites at one time, but I'm not that familair with sea stories as a genre.