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)

Excellence bar none!

excellence bar none. if you like this genre , you'll love this book. Tull is the best reader for these stories.

another wonderfully told sea story

I'm hooked,,,on to the next tale.... best told as an audio book... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

the real beginning

after setting up the scene with Sofia, Dianna, Stephen and of course Jack, the ending of this book finally sets the stage for the future novels and what is to come. If you've made it this far in the series, there is no stopping now.

An enjoyable journey.

It is Jane Austen for guys. The intrigue continues with Jack, the Doctor, Diana and Sophie.

Yet another wonderful book!

Awesome story and great reading. loved every minute. Full of excitement, wild life and riches

Always a pleasure

I always enjoy these books. They are performed well and the stories are always interesting.

The best of the series!

I have listened to all of the series and heard both narrators over 3 times through. I enjoyed this one the most. Such highs and lows, action and friendship, sea and land. I also liked Patrick Tull far more than the other. It felt like a performance rather than a narration.

TULL IS COOL

Would you consider the audio edition of H.M.S. Surprise to be better than the print version?

IT IS SO COOL TO BE ABLE TO LAY BACK AND BE IN THE PLACE AND LET THE READER DO THE WORK

What was one of the most memorable moments of H.M.S. Surprise?

DR MATERIN THE BRAINS OF THE BOOK

Which character – as performed by Patrick Tull – was your favorite?

TULLS ACCENT IS SO RIGHT FOR THE BOOKS HE BECOMES THE PERSON SO I CAN REST AND BE READ TO.

If you could take any character from H.M.S. Surprise out to dinner, who would it be and why?

MATURIN HE IS SO LIKE SHERLOCK HOLMES

Any additional comments?

THE WHOLE SERIES IS JUST PLAIN REMARKABLE,PATRICK OBRIEN IS A MASTER STORY TELLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful

Wonderful adventure tail. Great narration. I am very much enjoying the entire series, especially Jack and Stephen.

Another good listen.

I just finished listening to this book, and it is always frustrating how each book is ended leaving you wanting more. I know this is good because this is a very long series, but it is just a little odd. I have almost two weeks until I can download the next two books, and I dont know how I am going to wait. I am glad the author finaly had jack go on a somwhat normal naval trip. This was a realistic change from bounding here and there, dressing in bear's hides, sleeping with the admiral's wife, and having his ships constantly sunk. Since the name of the ship is in the title I dont think I am giving away too much by saying he kept the surprise in pretty much one piece for most of the story. I once again enjoyed the devolopment of Steven's character in the book, I find him a mystery sometimes. Although I did think this developement of stevens character was at the cost of developing Jack further. I guess this is why it is called the Aubrey/Maturin series, they will just have to share the spot light. Once again, I apreciate the Plot twists the author uses, and the false forshadowing verses true forshadowing. Overall, another good read, and I cant wait to read/listen to the sequal.