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H.M.S. Surprise
- Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 3
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
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Publisher's Summary
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.
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What listeners say about H.M.S. Surprise
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- karen walker
- 2018-09-19
Historical fiction as you've never heard it!!
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.
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- Julian Ticehurst
- 2023-07-27
Hooked
Captivating. I am thoroughly hooked in now. Matters nautical fascinate. Aubery and Maturin intrigue. 15 words.
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- Langer MD
- 2021-03-09
A Sweeping Background
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. 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.
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- srwatson
- 2021-04-08
O'Brian
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.
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- PDubya
- 2020-02-16
Good but not the best.
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!
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- Zen Car
- 2022-08-01
Just wonderful
Surprising funny and touching. One of the best of the series. Leads beautifully into the next
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- Coleman Cooper
- 2023-03-01
A prime reading of a great story
An excellent reading, his voice is for each of the characters are superb. Excellently done, and lovely paced.
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- Kenneth Werner Voita
- 2019-07-05
Right series wrong narrator
Do yourself a favour, do not listen to any book in this series not narrated by Patrick Tull. Listening to the three versions by the narrators available, Patrick Tull is the only way to go. The interpretations by the two other narrators are misleading and many aspects are put in what seems to me the wrong context for the story. The two other narrators (other then tull) have come up with the worst voices for Maturin/Aubrey. Piggot-smith is the worst, his Aubrey sounds like Simmerson from the sharpe television series, and his Maturin sounds like the horror movie version of the mascot for lucky charms. Both narrators (smith and jerrom) take all complexity/humanity out of Aubreys character as well as Maturins. I started the series over again when I heard Patrick Tull for the first time and it is well worth it, it sounds like a completely different story.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Jeff Allan
- 2018-09-20
The wonderful journey continues
Filled with action, romance and adventure the series continues with this wholely satisfying installment. Exquisitely written and Beautifully read. Bring on the next one!
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- Sloane
- 2021-08-05
Narration brings it to life! Amazing.
I have read these books many times. Finally decided to listen to them. The performance was superb. Such excitement and depth. I will listen to every single one and enjoy every minute.
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1 person found this helpful