Clarissa Oakes

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 15 (Unabridged)

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Ric Jerrom

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Captain Jack Aubrey sails away from the hated Australian prison colonies in his favourite vessel the Surprise, pondering on middle age and sexual frustration. He soon becomes aware that he is out of touch with the mood of his ship: to his astonishment he finds that in spite of a lifetime's experience he does not know what the foremost hands or even his own officers are thinking.

They know, as he does not, that the Surprise has a stranger aboard: and what they, for their part, do not know is that the stranger is potentially as dangerous as a light in the powder magazine itself.

©1992 Patrick O'Brian (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

A weak (ish) link?

Patrick O'Brian's four-novel sequence of Aubrey and Maturin's great voyage around the world is an incredible achievement, especially considering it didn't begin until the 13th book in the series. But if there's one that's slightly less satisfying than the others, perhaps it's this. O'Brian is clearly fascinated by the character of Clarissa Oakes and the effect she has on the ship's company, but the way it plays out leaves credibility stretched thin. Stop reading now if you'd rather avoid spoilers...

...but the way O'Brian seeks to explain Clarissa's apparent willingness to sleep with every officer in the ship, (excepting Jack and Stephen) just doesn't wash. No joy from the physical act of love after a childhood of abuse...okay, we'll buy that. Though surely that would make someone less willing, rather than more? Ignorant of men and the social contracts around adultery...no, that doesn't really wash. Yes, there was the sheltered up-bringing, but then she kept the accounts in a brothel, killed someone, endured arrest, trial and transportation. A steep learning curve in every aspect of real life and common sense. And she likes to be liked. Well, so do we all, but not to THAT extent.

The other thing that dips slightly below the usual O'Brian standard is the lack of action. Not just action in the military sense but of anything really happening. There's a situation elsewhere in the Pacific that needs dealing with and they eventually get round to it, but that's your lot in the ten lengthy chapters. Otherwise, all the good stuff is still present: the characters, the language, the botanising, the seamanship, the letter-writing. But as a book, it's really just one extended chapter in a longer story. On to The Wine-Dark Sea!

More of the same

Not sure why you need a review of this book. You're either well invested by now, and know what to expect or you should start at the beginning!

That aside, another naval romp in the same vein as previous entries in the series. Not the best of them but solid nonetheless

Very enjoyable

Great story. Well read. Kept me going all the way. Rik Jerom is the man. So well read.

O'Brian at his best

Where does Clarissa Oakes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think "Clarissa Oakes" is my favourite in the series

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Aubrey, because his character has developed as he has grown older, whereas Steven Maturin is still as enigmatic as when we first met him.

Which character – as performed by Ric Jerrom – was your favourite?

Killick, surly, rather stupid, faithful, and devoted to Jack Aubrey

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The unspoken understanding between Aubrey and his coxswain Bonden not to maroon Oakes and the stowaway Clarissa

Any additional comments?

I look forward to the rest of the series

Fantastic again....

As always the characterisations and story are captivating for those of us who follow Lucky Jack and Stephen Mturin through their voyages. For me again it is made all the more enjoyable by the fantastic narration of Ric Jerrom. I love my audio books replacing the little time I have for reading these days with the joys of listening to a master telling me the story as i travel to and from work. He seems to have the knack of making all the characterisations real and enjoyable and unlike many narrators it does not grate when a male narrator tries to dramatise a female character. Enjoyable stuff as always. On to the next one. As long as they keep churning out the books narrated by Mr Jerrom I will keep downloading them. Thanks Audible and thanks Ric

A joy once again…

Beautifully read as always and another great yarn from this series. Can’t wait to listen to the next one.

Clarissa Oakes

Not a bad listen but did get lost with it now and again but ok .

Brilliant

Very interesting story laced with history and once again superbly narrated by Ric Jerrom.

Ric Jerrom at his best.

Although this story is in my opinion one of the weakest in the Patrick OBrien series, the narrator Ric Jerrom does a masterful job here. His narration is clear and understandable with none of the asinine faux accents that make other audiobooks so annoying.

fantastic!

one of the very best in the series. exciting, characterful, a masterwork. O'Brien is truly unequalled in style, content and narrative, and the depth of his research is always astounding. he raises the historical novel to be the equal of the best in literature.