Yay to nay

While listening to the first half, I thought I had found my new favourite book: The descriptions were fantastic, the story engaging. Until it wasn't.
First, there are some logic errors: One character is described as being frail, with no military experience in many years, yet in the very next chapter is able to hold off professional soldiers with a rapier. The main character is never taught mathematics, yet becomes a financial wizard. later, this same character is then given a rapier and almost instantly knows how to wield it, despite not having had any lessons.

The writer of the memoir notes almost every emotion of his respective father figures, describes almost every meal and its ingredients, the colour of clothes and so on, which is great. But having demonstrated the ability to be observant and astute in judging character, he gives only the slightest thought about his family and only to the extent as to wonder if they are still actually alive. He cares exactly nothing about how the female characters in his life are coping, or what may be concerning to them. The same character who is so brilliant earlier can't put two and two together in regards to an imminent threat to his sister, assumes it may come a bit later, and so can't be bothered to ride for one mile to get help, and then sleeps peacefully. He was quick to be brave and jump in numerable other situations, yet does nothing when finally reunited with his family, content to let another do it. During this time, he does not even bother to go to his female family members to reassure them. He never once asks them anything about themselves. Only days later does he even ask his sister what she wanted, which is mindboggling, give the information he already knows and why he waits to ask her. The only thing we learn about her is: "She turned into the fine woman I imagined she would become." What does that even mean??? Honourable, intelligent, educated, fierce and loyal to her family, or simply "She looked great"? The only passing thought for another female, his ex-fiancee, is limited to fulfilling a promise made to her father, He does not spare a moment's thought that hostilities between nations could be lethal to her. Earlier, a person who became a father figure is killed in front of him, yet it takes him less than a day to begin fixating and obsessing over the next guy, Finally, given the age of the main character, a time when most young people have raging hormones and a lot of curiosity, there isn't even the slightest interest in wondering about girls, or perhaps other young men (we have no insights as to his natural inclinations), which seems very odd indeed. Almost any man I know is quick to wax nostalgic for the passion and follies of youth. Instead, our main character soon dissolves into milquetoast when to comes to the people he should care about, seeming to only find meaning in his life when serving someone. It started so well, but I was downright irritated by the end.

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