Ms Midshipwoman Honor "Mary Sue" Harrington

[senji]

36. Weber, David. On Basilisk Station
37. Weber, David. The Honor of the Queen
38. Weber, David. The Short Victorious War
39. Weber, David. Field of Dishonor
40. Weber, David. Flag in Exile
41. Weber, David. Honor among Enemies
42. Weber, David. In Enemy Hands
43. Weber, David. Echoes of Honor
44. Weber, David. Ashes of Victory
45. Weber, David.

Comments

[sheffers]

I've read these too. I agree that they're a lot of fun, and I don't normally read space operas either. As much as she is a Mary-Sue, I do wonder if the books and the character are "meant" to be read as an ironic parody of Hornblower, or even the heroes of Boy's Own or if it's meant to be a more serious homage. So, are they meant to be taken seriously in this sense of being a sort of witty, intertextual parody (a bit like some of the Graham Williams Dr Who)? We were wondering about the more objectionable politics in another place, and I do think it would make them more palatable if those were part of an overall parody.

Floor thrown open to others:-)

[damerell]

[paleshadow]

It may just have been a long time since my last read, but I'm wondering what's so objectionable about the politics? Aside from the fact that he uses political parties as far too broad a brush for behaviour than they should ordinarily be?

However much Tories (Canadian brand in this case) and Republicans get demonised in my circles, we at least recognise the academic possibility of there existing ones we don't want executed for treason, after all.

-D.

[damerell]

[ilanin]

Aubrey doesn't start off as a captain. I have *two* different types of pedantry here.

I) Firstly, he is promoted Master-and-Commander of HM Sloop Sophie on page seven of the series. At the start of the book he is a Lieutenant.

II) Secondly, the Sophie is not a post-ship, and thus does not rate a full captain. His rank in the modern Navy would probably be Lieutant-Commander; although it is somewhat hard to tell, since the modern Navy doesn't have any ships of that size, just small minehunters and a mixture of crusiers*.

*Amusingly, none of which are actually designated as such, although almost every major surface unit in the RN is of cruiser-displacement.

[senji]

The Royal Manticoran Navy seems to have some strange distinction between Captains of the List (which appears to be equivelant to the RN's "Post Captain" of Aubrey's era) and other (boring) Captains.

OTOH, what I'd failed to remember was that she's actually had time in command of the Hawkwing before this, so...

[douglas_reay]

When rating the implausibility factor (still high, admittedly) it is worth factoring in the advantages he's given her:
* genetically modified for high IQ and reactions
* from a high G planet
* newest generation prolong so experience of a 50 yr old in body of 20 yr

Frankly when you throw in the kinesthesia factor that's tested high even for someone with that background, you'd expect her to win most duels.

Similarly, once granted high level patronage (the Queen take an interest in her career from near the start), given her successes the promotions are not unprecedented.

The implausible bit is her ships consistently beating the odds.

Question: is Conan also a Mary-Sue?

[ilanin]

the promotions are not unprecedented

Is this in-canon, or historically? The fastest rise from first command to Admiral in the Royal Navy is still, as far as I am aware, Viscount Horatio Nelson, and it took him thirteen years (1784-1797). Of course, Nelson's career was itself downright implausible, even by the standards of the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century Royal Navy.

[senji]

The period of the books is about 10 years I think; but also Honor had some command for a couple of years before that; so probably about comparable to Nelson.