The Aubrey/Maturin novels have given me a lot of pleasure since my first exposure to them. I can think of no pleasanter way of spending Saturday afternoon after church than sitting in a quiet (internet) café, with just a low level of café noises and easy listening, if any, music in the background, and slowly reading one of these books, pausing from time to time to consult Wikipedia or Google Earth to flesh out some of O’Brian’s fascinating references.
All of them are 5-star reads as far as I’m concerned, such is the richness of the author’s writing, the historical, political, nautical, botanical, biological detail, the clever, economical depiction of his characters and relationships, the wry humour, his utterly convincing portrayal of a storm at sea …...
I suppose some of the books might be marginally better than others but, compared to any other authors' novels I can recall reading, they’re all worth 5 stars.
Having said all that though, they may not be to everyone’s taste. I’m 66 years old and male, and I suspect those two demographics might explain much of my enamourment. Someone of a different generation or gender may not be as entranced by the 18th century language, the naval-historical themes, the authenticity of description of things of that era (at least I presume it’s authentic, I wouldn’t know, maybe some of O'Brian's apparent erudition is bluff). I know my 15yo son read a paragraph of “Surprise” at random and wasn’t tempted to read on. His loss I say.
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More like H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
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From the Publisher
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| Post Captain (Book 2) | The Mauritius Command (Book 4) | Desolation Island (Book 5) | The Fortune of War (Book 6) | The Surgeon's Mate (Book 7) | |
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| Price | $14.49 | $13.89 | $10.99 | $12.50 | $14.88 |
| More Books in the Aubrey / Maturin Series | Amidst the rollicking adventures at sea and mishaps on land, Aubrey and Maturin’s friendship is tested by their romantic entanglements with the cousins in this brilliant second installment of the epic series. | Captain Jack Aubrey is ashore on half pay without a command, living in domestic bliss with his young family―until his friend Stephen Maturin arrives with secret orders. | Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and surgeon Stephen Maturin sail the Leopard to Australia with a hold full of convicts. | Captain Jack Aubrey arrives in the Dutch East Indies to find himself appointed to the command of the fastest and best-armed frigate in the British Navy. | British naval officer Jack Aubrey and surgeon Stephen Maturin, with his great love, Diana Villiers, speed home to England with news of their latest victory over the Americans. |
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Reviews with images
Great book! Printing of this issue blurred though.
The book is great! I'm almost through it, really enjoying the story!However the book did come with a creased cover. I didn't want to return it because I wanted to take it with me to get it started while on vacation. I don't care for the feeling of the cover either, it's not smooth, but that's just me.My biggest complaint, is that once you get to page 250 of this printing, the text is extremely fuzzy seemingly this way every other page onwards. This can be very difficult to read and to enjoy!I will definitely be looking to purchase older "used" printings of thr continuing Aubrey/Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian, since this one is the most recent (2021 issue) and i fear that the other newer printed books will be of similar low-qualityprinting.Very disappointing to have to maneuver through these blurred pages! But great story!!!
