Master and Commander

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 1

De: Patrick O'Brian

Narrado por: Patrick Tull

This, the first in the splendid series of Jack Aubrey novels, establishes the friendship between Captain Aubrey, Royal Navy, and Stephen Maturin, ship's surgeon and intelligence agent, against the thrilling backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Details of life aboard a man-of-war in Nelson's navy are faultlessly rendered: the conversational idiom of the officers in the ward room and the men on the lower deck, the food, the floggings, the mysteries of the wind and the rigging, and the road of broadsides as the great ships close in battle.Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.©1984 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The best historical novels ever written." (The New York Times Book Review)
"No writer alive can move one as O'Brian can; no one can make you laugh so loud with hilarity, whiten your knuckles with unbearable tension or choke with emotion. He is the master." (Irish Times)

Excellent Book

A fun book, telling the story of a Royal Navy Officer, Lieutenant/Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Dr. Stephen Maturin. It gives an interesting (and, as far as O'Brian could manage it) authentic view of life in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic era.

One word of caution: this is a naval book steeped in the lingo of the age of sail with no attempt at translation. If you want to know what a mizzen topmast is, or how many bells there are in the dog watch, you'll have to look it up. I made several visits to Wikipedia while listening to this one.

Many other reviewers have voiced strong opinions comparing Patrick Tull's narration to that of the other version, narrated by Simon Vance. My tuppence:

Tull's gravelly voice, lively story-telling and (South England?) accent make him a very good story-teller...but if Americans who weren't brought up on a steady diet of Monty Python and the like might find it a little hard to follow. Vance's story-telling is perhaps a little less lively and exciting, but his accent is a bit friendlier to American ears. Personally, I prefer Tull's version.

Give you joy

Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series surprised many a reader who didn't expect to enjoy fiction about Napoleonic naval history. There is action and excitement enough, but the subtleties of language and character development are the real charm.

Patrick Tull's narration of the tales makes them even better. Not only is he a master of the many voices and accents; his narrative voice and his pauses and lingerings over phrases are loaded with meaning, bringing alive all the character, wit, and drama of O'Brian's writing. If you've loved the books before, Tull's reading will truly give you joy.

Audiobook makes it live

I tried to slog through the written version of this book, but the new terminology (I am not a naval man) combined with the early 19th century style of prose made it a difficult read, and I ended up not finishing it.

However, Patrick Tull's reading brings it to life like no other audiobook I've heard. The tale moves along, and the characters live! I've since purchased the next two audiobooks in the series, and will purchase the rest IF they come out in the unabridged version.

I love this book!

I love this book because the story is gripping and funny and wonderful. I have fallen madly in love with Captain A, why can't he be real! It made me want to be a pirate on the high seas! Plus, Patrick Tull is just fantastic. To me, the narrator can make or break the listening experience, he is outstanding. The notion that a combination of formality, gravity and cheerfulness should characterize all discourse in life has changed me forever! Three cheers for this book!

Narration not what I like

I recently listened to Cochrane by Paul? Harvey. An excellently written and narrated bio! So in the same vein I thought I'd try Master & Commander, a novel based on Cochrane's exploits and actions in the Speedy. From the sample, I wasn't impressed by this narration but thought I'd give it a try. I could not get past the first few chapters and returned it, something I've never done before on Audible! Another reviewer mentioned Simon Vance also narrates this book. I love Simon Vance's narrations! That version is not available at Audible, so I got it elsewhere. Much better, though I think I prefer Forrester's writing to O'Brien's.