Blue at the Mizzen

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 20

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

With his swashbuckling adventures, best-selling novelist Patrick O'Brian transports you to the high seas of old, where privateers lurk in the mist, and great ships fight to control the waterways. Blue at the Mizzen hoists the excitement to new heights as British frigate commander Jack Aubrey stakes everything on a desperate raid against the mighty Spanish fleet. Ever since Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, Captain Aubrey's prospects in the new peacetime navy have looked dim. Even worse, his frigate Surprise was badly damaged in a nighttime collision. While Aubrey waits for repairs, ship's doctor Stephen Maturin brings him intriguing information about the New World. Soon Aubrey is leading a bold expedition that will determine the fate of a rising South American nation, and his own. Critically-acclaimed author Patrick O'Brian blends authentic period atmosphere, rich humor, and elegant language in each of his seafaring yarns. You can almost hear the thunder of the waves and smell the salty sea air as you listen to Patrick Tull's dramatic performance.Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.©1999 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"O'Brian is not that hard a taste to acquire, but he is very tough to shake...[the Aubrey/Maturin series] is a great work." (Boston Globe)

So sorry to say goodbye to Aubrey and Maturin!

I enjoyed this series so much that I might just start the whole thing over.

Like old friends

I am a lover of Historical Fiction. And as such I have binged listened to the whole series, twice. That should say something in itself. I treat the captain and the doctor like old friends and am going to miss their adventures when this is finally finished. There was nothing I didn’t like- unless it is their end, and I’m not there yet, I hope.

Will be missed

Great series, just read #20. Will miss it badly now that I’m at the end.

Hardest of the novels to follow

A fine cutting out operation concludes the novel, but I struggled particularly to understand the political arrangements of the Chilean bid for independence. Perhaps it was due to my own lack of clearheadedness, but I found myself re-listening to the same passages over and over without an increase in understanding or following the thread of developments. No loss, as I dreaded the thought of finishing the series, my first time through. I will wrap up the last of the novels soon. And no struggle to understand what was taking place could possibly dampen my cumulative joy over these stories, and I was content to listen like a boy in the corner while his elders discussed matters of importance among themselves, happy just to be allowed to stick around.

another fine effort

I cannot believe this magnificent series of stories is nearly at its end, I will miss them very much

An Excellent Series

If you have heard already a few titles of this series, you will not need my recommendation. You know already what deep satisfaction one takes in these masterfully written works. The only sadness, aside from a few unfortunate moral decisions portrayed by O'Brian, is that it has come to an end. I should be shocked if you did not think yourself well rewarded for you time in undertaking this voyage.

What can you say at the end?

What an incredible ride, from the first book to the last. I enjoyed every word, every joke, every chapter. It is true that "blue at the mizzen" is not O'Brian's best work. However, it has its own charm and its own special place as a great work in modern literature. I think that it is magnificent that an author would be inspired to write book of this kind (let alone 20 in a series) in my lifetime.

Excellent conclusion to a great series of books.

The authenticity of each of the stories and their adventuress spirit make me wish they could go on indefinitely. This final book in the series was another excellent story from Patrick O'brian. Patrick Tull is one of the best narrators.

the battles. and inactions of Jack & Maturin

loved Everything! now we need to find and Author of stature to continue these glorious stories!!! I have tears. thank you and God bless you Patrick o'brien! and Patrick Tull, both in heaven now.

​​RIP My Friend

​​Dr. Poff was my English teacher during my senior year in high school back in 1995. We were in the same book club for many years after I graduated from college and started my career. We always had the same taste in literature. Just this past summer, he left us all of a sudden and I still miss my friend. During our many conversations in books, my teacher told me that I need to read Aubrey–Maturin series and finish it. The last time I spoke to my friend, he was reading all 20 books for the third time.

I was planning to save "Blue at the Mizzen" to celebrate his life after the first anniversary, but there is no reason to wait anymore. I now understand why Poff wanted me to read these books. It took me almost four years to finish this series, but I have to agree with my teacher, mentor, and fellow book friend that this is the best series of books that I've ever read. I hope to read them again one day and more importantly share the series with others.

I would like to think that Poff would be happy that I finally finished this set of novels that were so much enjoyable. I missed our conversations, after each book.

This review is for my friend that I miss every time I start a new book that he would have liked.