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Post by Dolphin on Feb 28, 2014 7:17:14 GMT
It's the Ionian Mission (I did a Google search - wouldn't have remembered either).
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on Feb 28, 2014 12:38:37 GMT
Yes, Sharpie! And part of the reason that the section sent me into fits of laughter was that my husband claims a certain humorous affinity for the bobwhite quail, being named Bob himself.
HMSCody
on edit: The Ionian Mission! Thank you Dolphin! I'll put it up shortly...
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AnneElliot
Midshipman
Waving, not drowning.
Posts: 75
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Post by AnneElliot on Mar 4, 2014 21:35:28 GMT
It's the Ionian Mission (I did a Google search - wouldn't have remembered either). Nyar! That's the one where Pullings gets his scar! I've been doing O'Brian over again on audiobook from the library. Audiobooks are just the thing for commuting in single-digit weather. No tussling with books or bags. Listening puts more of an emphasis on the plot for me. When I read them, they seemed more rambling, but who's complaining? I was a newcomer to the language of ships then, and had to frequently consult a companion volume called 'Sea of Words.' I find I don't have to ask myself what they are talking about, at least most of the time.
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Post by Dolphin on Mar 5, 2014 7:08:53 GMT
It's just the opposite with me: I have a problem with audio books - no matter who the reader is or how lovely their voice, they alsways seem to do something "wrong" - voices, rhythm, etc - especially when I have read the books before and already have my own version in my head. Plus, I don't listen very well but find my concentration wandering and so am missing bits... I like adaptations/audio plays though.
The "Sea of Words" is great!
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vixie
Midshipman
flirting with the new Laser Vago!
Posts: 29
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Post by vixie on Apr 20, 2014 13:35:25 GMT
One of my favourite Stephen episodes was the one in, I think The Surgeon's Mate, where Stephen addresses the Academie in Paris, makes a complete hash of it, speaking so lowly that only the people in the front can hear, knocking over a water jug, staring at a coughing patron, etc. - all things that prove his credibility unequivocally as a true authority on his subject, and ending in triumph and accolades from his peers. I always think of that when I have to give a presentation - giving one on Saturday; wish me luck, mates!
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Post by colonelsharpe on May 11, 2014 2:42:41 GMT
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Post by Biki on May 13, 2014 1:41:52 GMT
"How do yer loik our Hobbit frigate Sir?" "BONDEN!""Yessir!""You see that Dragon over there?"
"Yessir!"
"Growl, look nasty and distract it while -er- I'll go find something else to do!"
"But Sir, you've had three goes already-It's my turn now!"
hahahahahahahaha!! Nice!!! Biki P.S. remind me to tell you about the costume contest I won in Portsmouth one year dressed as a weevil. ;-)
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Post by QueueMistressMags on May 13, 2014 15:03:17 GMT
Actually...Biki was dressed as the lesser of two weevils.
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Post by Biki on May 14, 2014 17:11:48 GMT
Actually...Biki was dressed as the lesser of two weevils. Yes, I was the lesser weevil, and Mr. B the greater of the two weevils. I ordered that New Hornblower book from Amazon the other day, I haven't read it yet as I am trying to finish up two books right now, but I'm almost afraid (after reading the reviews) of how bad it is going to be. I would hope no one would take up the Aubrey/Maturin series where it was left off. Biki
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Post by HMS Lydia on May 19, 2014 10:28:46 GMT
Hey guys! I am a newbie at the Aubrey Maturin series, having just started it (I am currently halfway through HMS Surprise, the third book), but here are my thoughts on it thus far:
1) the writing is FANTASTIC. It really reminds me of the 18th century classic The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, with its bubbliness, erudition, fun and levity. I could read it all day. 2) the overall lack of plot, giving the impression of one continuous and rambling story as opposed to a series of books, is daring and technically sophisticated. At the same time, I feel that O'Brien's habit of skimming huge chunks of the story would be a weakness, were not his writing so good as to carry off the gamble and not make the reader mind. 3)I love the way action is described.
On the slightly more negative side...
...I have a huge problem with Stephen Maturin. I do not mean to harsh anyone's buzz here, but I do find it irritating that he is constantly fat-shaming everyone, including Sophia ('You were pining half a stone ago, now you're too fat!') while being himself a laudanum addict and therefore hardly in a position to judge. Also, his superiority.
But to each their own! I look forward to many happy hours with the series.
Lydia
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Post by HMS Lydia on May 19, 2014 10:41:09 GMT
P.S. Fangirly fun fact: when the movie came out I went to see it, and got a massive crush on Calamy. I was then 13, and the actor playing him 18. Now I am 24 and went to watch the movie again and I was like 'I FEEL A PERV. FORGIVE ME CALAMY'
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on May 19, 2014 13:59:24 GMT
He's a beautiful kid. You're just either re-inhabiting your 13-year-old self, or you're appreciating the potential in youth.
I loved this series of books, too. I found that it took me until about halfway through HMS Surprise to really get into it, but once I did I was hooked. And believe it or not, I missed the movie when it was in the theater and didn't get to it until after I discovered Hornblower and had read several of the O'Brian books.
HMSCody utterly clueless, sometimes
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Post by HMS Lydia on May 19, 2014 14:21:40 GMT
He's a beautiful kid. You're just either re-inhabiting your 13-year-old self, or you're appreciating the potential in youth. I loved this series of books, too. I found that it took me until about halfway through HMS Surprise to really get into it, but once I did I was hooked. And believe it or not, I missed the movie when it was in the theater and didn't get to it until after I discovered Hornblower and had read several of the O'Brian books. HMSCody utterly clueless, sometimes He IS beautiful (carnation like a porcelain doll, honestly) so I am high-fiving my 13 year old self for killer taste. Tbh it's always a problem with fandoms one discovers as a child: the feelings remain, but you grow up. When I first read Game of Thrones I was 12 and then when I re-read it at 22 suddenly fancying 16 year old Jon Snow was not cool anymore. Thankfully in the TV series they aged him up. Also, it's amazing how one simply misses things sometimes! it just happens I guess. The important thing is to catch up. Lydia
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HMSCody
Lieutenant
Happy to be of service, as ever.
Posts: 427
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Post by HMSCody on May 19, 2014 14:52:27 GMT
Thank you for reminding me that I had promised to put up the section of The Ionian Mission that featured quail landing on the ship. I did get the book out and look it up, and found it, but it's a huge section so I won't repeat it here. It's Chapter Five. However, I will offer up a line or two...
Anyway. I was in fits of laughter when I first read this chapter. Chapter Six includes a hilarious bit about exercising a rhinoceros on a ship. HMSCody
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Post by Biki on May 19, 2014 18:28:29 GMT
I agree with you about the doctor in the books, he always had the "I'm superior to all of you" {{{{Vibe}}} about him. Even has that with Jack on several issues, and he is the opium eater!!! As the books go on, this character flaw of his started grating on me more and more and I found that I enjoy other nautical series much better then this series. Sure wish they would do some more of them in movies though. =-/
Biki
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