We've got the movie on DVD, and I'm trying to schedule a time for us to watch it again. But meanwhile, I'm at ~25% complete on this re-read. I've been switching back and forth between the two audio versions I have and the eBook, and each has their appeal. I haven't changed my overall preference on the audio side (didn't expect to), but I have a greater respect for the Simon Vance version, which does have it's appeal. For example, I much prefer his Babbington voice -- it's just hard for a baritone like Tull to sound like a squeaker, and Babbington should definitely be a squeaker at this point in the series.
The other thing I'm recognizing are some precursors to things that become very much a part of the series as we go on. The bits of poetry from Mowatt, for example, in Chapter 3. And Jack's two-pronged and crafty(not to say sly) solution to the problem of his main mast (in Chapter 2).
Spoiler:
Quote:
'Mr Brown,' said Jack, with an earnest look, 'you can do me a very essential service, if you will. I have sprung my mainyard hopelessly, I am concerned to tell you, and yet I must sail this evening—the Fanny is in. So I beg you to condemn it and issue me out another in its place. Nay, never look so shocked, my dear sir,' he said, taking Mr Brown's arm and leading him towards the cutter. 'I am bringing you back the twelve-pounders—ordnance being now within your purview, as I understand—because I feared the sloop might be over-burthened.'
** 'With all my heart,' said Mr Brown, looking at the awful chasm in the yard, held up mutely for his inspection by the cutter's crew. 'But there is not another spar in the yard small enough for you.'
** 'Come, sir, you are forgetting the Généreux. She had three spare foretopgalantyards, as well as a vast mound of other spars; and you would be the first to admit that I have a moral right to one.'
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