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MASHFanficChick
mashfanficchick
10 February 2012 @ 09:39 pm
Question for the history-lit geeks on my flist  

I need some advice on what to read next.

I just (finally; I was stalling, 'cause I didn't want it to end) finished C.S. Forester's "Horatio Hornblower" series, and I really want to get right back into a similar thing: something long and meaty, with a historical military theme. As of now, I've narrowed it down to two possibilities:

Sharpe Because my favorite thing about the Hornblower novels is the character of Horatio Hornblower himself, and I've heard that the character of Richard Sharpe is very similar.
Aubrey/Maturin Because I really did grow to enjoy all the Naval stuff while reading the Hornblower books, plus I'm a total dork for anything even vaguely medical (like Maturin being a ship's surgeon).

So, great readers of my flist...

Which series should I start next? Sharpe Aubrey/Maturin Damn the torpedoes...er, money: start 'em both! Neither; I have another suggestion (see comments) Any and all opinions--up to and including complaints about my LJ habits, or anything else on your minds--are, as (almost) always, 100% welcome. :-) Abyssinia, Barrie
 
 
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14 comments —
( 14 comments — Leave a comment )
blackchapsblackchaps on February 11th, 2012 02:48 am (UTC)
I have a friend who loves that Sharpe series.
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MASHFanficChick: Book (Dictionary Icon)mashfanficchick on February 11th, 2012 02:52 am (UTC)
Thanks, BC. Out of curiosity, did the poll work for you? It's my first time trying to post from my new iPhone, and I can't really tell what it actually looks like!
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blackchapsblackchaps on February 12th, 2012 03:55 am (UTC)
Um, that was a poll? *stares*

Um, no.

lolz
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MASHFanficChick: Facepalm (Chris)mashfanficchick on February 15th, 2012 06:25 am (UTC)
LOL, yeah, I see that. *kicks livejournal*

For what it's worth, there's now a new post up on my LJ here
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silver_chipmunk: librarian search enginesilver_chipmunk on February 11th, 2012 02:54 am (UTC)
My cousin Steve loves the Sharpe series, calls them Harliquin romances for guys, or something like that. Apparently Sharpe beds a lot of attractive females over the course of the series.
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MASHFanficChick: Captain Jack is Amusedmashfanficchick on February 11th, 2012 03:18 am (UTC)
Apparently Sharpe beds a lot of attractive females over the course of the series.

Hmm...guess he's not QUITE like Hornblower then. *grins* But, for what it's worth, a "Harlequin for guys" does sound like the perfect thing to take on an island vacation.... :-D

Edited at 2012-02-11 03:23 am (UTC)
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The Reluctant Sadist: sharpe uniform by heralluresplix on February 11th, 2012 06:31 am (UTC)
Hiya! lauramcewan said you were looking for historical military fiction.

Both series are good. The Sharpe stories are more ripping yarns, lots of action and adventure, and yes, in almost every one, Sharpe beds a willing woman. They're very straightforward and entertaining. Richard Sharpe is a lot more ruthless and expedient than Horatio, and it's very clear that he's an outsider, having risen from the ranks to officer level, but he's honorable, in his way, shrewd, sometimes reckless, and quite sexy.

The Aubrey/Maturin books are more delicately written, with a lot more 'period' dialogue. They're not quite as actiony, but they're wonderful reads, and often very witty. The relationship between Jack and Stephen is absolutely wonderful, and their characterizations are nuanced.

I would recommend them both, with Sharpe for a more swashbuckling bent, Aubrey/Maturin for a slightly more cerebral read. :)
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lauramcewan on February 11th, 2012 06:44 am (UTC)
*snugs*
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MASHFanficChick: Grin (Starsky)mashfanficchick on February 15th, 2012 06:32 am (UTC)
Hi, Laura! Just wanted to say a huge "Thanks!" for the loan of your splix! *g*
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MASHFanficChick: Always the Indymashfanficchick on February 15th, 2012 06:29 am (UTC)
Well, much as I absolutely ADORE my outsiders, I do really love witty and cerebral, and I'm not a huge fan of ruthless. So perhaps I will try the Aubrey/Maturin books first.

Also, for what it's worth, there is now a poll (the one I THOUGHT I'd posted here) up here

Thanks a million for your input!
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Enednoviel: Sharpe - Shakoenednoviel on February 11th, 2012 12:44 pm (UTC)
Sharpe is awesome! Just sayin. :D
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MASHFanficChick: I Was A Teenage Indoor Kid (WHAS)mashfanficchick on February 15th, 2012 06:51 am (UTC)
*g* So I've heard! Fear not: either way, I have the feeling I'm going to be reading both series; it's really only a case of which one I start with! *is slightly obsessed with something she never even thought she'd be vaguely interested in*
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sara_merry99: Gen Bookssara_merry99 on February 11th, 2012 09:48 pm (UTC)
I recommend the Aubrey/Maturin books *highly*. I haven't read all of them but the ones I've read were great and I gave them all to my dad (also a Hornblower fan) and he has read and re-read them many times.
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MASHFanficChick: Book (Dictionary Icon)mashfanficchick on February 15th, 2012 06:36 am (UTC)
I don't know which I love more, your rec or you icon! So I'll just say thanks for the rec, and tell you that it has made a difference: I think I am going to start with the Aubrey/Maturin series, even though I think I actually got way more recs for Sharpe.

*considers saying "Fuck it" and buying both*

By the way, in case you're interested, I put the poll that was meant to go on this post here. I so incredibly suck at LJ.
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