The Aubrey - Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian are best read in the order they were published. The first one is 'Master and Commander'. Then the series progresses chronologically through the Napoleonic Wars era, with each novel building on the previous in terms of character development and the overarching historical narrative.
Another excellent one is 'Post Captain'. In this novel, we see the further development of the characters. Aubrey's career progression and his personal growth are well - depicted, along with Maturin's adventures on land and sea as he pursues his scientific and espionage interests.
The two main characters are Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. Jack Aubrey is a naval officer, brave and passionate about the sea and his career. He is excellent in naval combat and leading his crew. Stephen Maturin is a physician, naturalist, and also a bit of a spy. He has a very different personality from Aubrey but they form a strong friendship.
Well, the Aubrey - Maturin novels should be read in a specific order. Beginning with 'Master and Commander', this sets the stage for the entire series. It's in this first book that we meet Jack Aubrey, a naval officer, and Stephen Maturin, a physician and naturalist. Their friendship begins here and they embark on their first adventures together. Then comes 'Post Captain' which continues their story, showing their further development both as individuals and in their relationship. And as you keep reading the novels in the correct chronological order, you'll see how they grow older, face different challenges at sea and on land, and how their world changes with the passage of time and different historical events.
The novels offer a great exploration of different cultures. As Aubrey and Maturin travel around the world, we get to see how different people live, their traditions, and how they interact with the protagonists. This adds a rich layer of depth to the overall story.