H.M.S. Surprise cover art

H.M.S. Surprise

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 3

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H.M.S. Surprise

Written by: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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H.M.S. Surprise, the third in O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, follows the variable fortunes of Captain Jack Aubrey's career in Nelson's navy, as he attempts to hold his ground against admirals, colleagues, and the enemy, and accepts a commission to convey a British ambassador to the East Indies. The voyage leads him and his friend Stephen Maturin to the strange sights and smells of the Indian subcontinent, and through the archipelago of Spice Islands where the French have a near-overwhelming local superiority.

Rarely has a novel managed to convey more vividly the fragility of a sailing ship in a wild sea. Rarely has a historical novelist combined action and lyricism of style in the way that O'Brian does. His superb sense of place, brilliant characterisation and a vigour and joy of writing lifts O'Brian above other writers in this genre.

©1973 Patrick O'Brian (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Genre Fiction Historical Thriller & Suspense Fiction Adventure Sailing Suspense
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Captivating. I am thoroughly hooked in now. Matters nautical fascinate. Aubery and Maturin intrigue. 15 words.

Hooked

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Unique in my experience, and said to be among the very best of its type, I totally agree somewhat to my surprise...hang in for the naval jargon explanations and you will soon be thrilling to a 16-hour nautical chase and battle. The two main characters are subtly drawn and ndividuals so interesting that you always want to know more. The reader is PER-fect and brings all of this into understanding in a way I could never have done by reading it for myself. Wonderful and tks #Audible1 for making it available.

Historical fiction as you've never heard it!!

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This novel begins when Spain throws in with Napoleon, declaring war on England.. continues with a mission to deliver an ambassador from South America to India.. and includes a famous Naval battle against the French fleet and real-life Admiral Linois in the Indian Ocean. On top of this, Patrick O'Brian applies an admirably lighthearted - almost jovial - storytelling style to continue his chronicle of Captain Jack Aubery and Spy/Ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin. Their experiences include capture and torture, imprisonment, shipwrecks/storms/battles, Victorian marriage negotiations, and a duel to the death. This episode also follows a more conventional "plot" - depicting a mission across the Atlantic and back rather than stringing together a series of incidents. It's an improvement in the series - elevating it to the status of true historical 'literature'.

Ric Jerrom is growing on me, too. His reading is far from perfect - some accents being much too strong - but the more I hear him, the more I appreciate his feeling for pacing and ability to inject excitement into a scene with tone. The performance in this installment is excellent.

Improved reading and a better-structured novel make this third book in the series worthy of 9 stars out of 10. I can definitely recommend.

A Sweeping Background

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A wonder filled story, written by the master of the Napoleonic wars, expertly narrated and boldly spoken. A great series of historical fiction that engages ones interest and hard to "put down" Heartily recommend.

O'Brian

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This is my third O’Brian novel in the series. Again the performance was excellent given that long passages of the book dragged a bit. Such a lot of talking in this one I really felt at times I wanted to skip ahead. I understand the need to have more than battles however this one definitely tested my patience. Now to download number 4 as I push forward to listen to all 15!

Good but not the best.

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