H.M.S. Surprise

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 3

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

At the opening of his third novel in an ongoing adventure series by Patrick O'Brian, Jack Aubrey is cruising off Cape Sicie when his friend Stephen Maturin (more serenely situated in Sussex) is informed of the Board's decision regarding Aubrey's prize money, taken after victorious engagement with a Spanish squadron at Cape Santa Maria. The money, five million pieces of eight, is not, as is the custom of war, to be divided among the crews of the four victorious vessels, but is to be treated as droits of the Crown of England. Five million pounds is, after all, five million pounds.

It will be a hard rub for Aubrey, who had counted on that money to clear his debts and make himself a suitable match, but no more hard than for Maturin who spends much of his free time at Mapes Court in the company of the lovely Sophia Williams, Aubrey's betrothed. How could Stephen deliver the news that would break Sophia's heart?

When Jack docks at Portsmouth, he is clapped in irons forthwith, and carried off to a sponging house for debtors. Jack knows a prisoner can rot in jail, so when Sir Joseph graciously offers him escape aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, bound for the East Indies, he makes for the only place where his unsteady virtue remains intact: the sea.

Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.

©1973 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"O'Brian knows his history and sailing, as is evident in the rich particulars....Stretching its genre but never escaping it, the novel will impress those who enjoy swashbucklers." (Publishers Weekly)

like the previous audible, very enjoyable

I tried reading this series at first but it was so hard to read, but the audible books version makes it infinitly easier, I can listen and enjoy the story. definitely recommend the audiblebook.

A story of deep friendship

I am so thrilled to have found this series by chance. It is far from my normal reading habits. This third book takes you on an exciting journey around the world. It was clear in previous books that Aubrey and Maturin were good friends, but this book develops that friendship and shows how incredibly deep it has become. I thought by now that the ship fights would get old, but O'Brian manages to keep them fresh. Surprisingly, I find I actually look forward to them. Tull does another amazing job reading this book. With the various accents and the way he takes his time, pausing in all the right places, this book was a joy to listen to!

The Aubrey-Maturin novels

the Aubrey-Maturin novels are unsurpassed in their lyrical beauty, their ability to not only render Aubrey and Maturin as fully alive characters that you come to know and love as cherished friends, but each character, no matter how minor, is fully realized. such rich stories told in the most limpid, graceful, gorgeous prose. In short, Patrick O'Brian has created geat and enduring literature.

Best narrator

The reader is one of the best I’ve ever heard, up there with Jim Dale in making characters come completely alive.

Narration was Exceptional

I can't imagine anyone else bringing these stories to life. Patrick Tull was made for these great Patrick O'Brian stories. This is my second time through the series and it is just as good as the first time.

the reader was great in the story was greater

it doesn't get much better than this because Patrick O'Brien actually uses real actions 4 facts and the re readability you can read it or listen to it a hundred times over and there is never a dull moment and I almost opens up a window in time look how people lived and what will you do with today hierarchy a person's status in England in the late 1800 to early 1900s so do you like 1775 1808 the Napoleonic Wars and it's like you get to looking on that. Of time in it is definitely real I just said Patrick O'Brien use real actions of the royal Navy down to what's they ate to how rough it was actually to live on a ship England HMS Royal Navy great reads I suggest starting at book 1 there are 20 books to the series

Good storytelling

That was a good follow up read, I will continue to explore this series I like this author

Best Naval Series Ever

Great story that is written and performed to perfection. Makes you feel like you were in the midst of the story and you feel a real connection to every character.

Best Match of Brilliant Writing and Narration

Best Match of Brilliant Writing and Narration that I have heard. All angles are covered. History. Drama. Action. Personalities. Period details presented interestingly.

Better than Hornblower!

I have not listened to this book, but I have read the entire series. If you enjoyed the Hornblower books, you will love Aubry. The characters are excelent, the plots realistic and historicly accurate, and the whole series reaks ofthe sea. Master and Commander is one of the series, and I expect they all will eventually get the Hollywood treatment.