H.M.S. Surprise: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 3

Recall your personal explorations of Joseph Conrad; Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness, et al. Remember how Conrad's descriptive narrative put you in the locales of his protagonists? Now, place Jack Aubrey and Steven Maturin in Conrad's "Orient," and breathe in, observe, and encounter the rich, diverse, yet painful realities of Imperial England's dalliances with India. Blend in storms, battles, and human intrigue...what is your reward? H.M.S. Surprise, a brilliant and insightful examination of the quest for Empire told through the eyes of our beloved Jack and Steven.

If you have made it this far in the Aubrey Series (narrated by Tull) you are richer for it. Keep going, it only gets better.

Patrick Tull and Simon Vance are both gifted narrators. However, when you start with one you may find it a jarring change when you start listening to the other. Each brings their own life to the characters, but it is a very different life. My own personal preference are the characters created by Mr. Tull, but Mr. Vance's acting is no less compelling, only different.
If you care about such things, don't make the mistake that I made, buying the edition without first checking by whom it is narrated.

If you enjoyed the first 2 books you'll love this one as well. Patrick Tull continues to provide really superb narration: he excels at weaving through the naval jargon, and pays particular attention to the dialog.

A rivetting story, with very good historical detail. Make sure you listen to the unabridged book (you don't want to miss anything), with Patrick Tull reading (an excellent reader).

This is the third book in the series I had finished the first two. It is great to follow them in order. Unfortunately I started toward the end and then saw Audible has them all so started with the beginning and will go forward just skipping the ones I have already read. Patrick Tull is the perfect reader for this series. Love the information about the Royal Navy and the East Indian Company ships. Can not wait to listen to the next one and another trip into history.

I accidently bought this book with a reader other than Tull. After about 15 minutes, I had to buy this copy. No author captures the Royal Navy like O'Brian. No reader captures O'Brian like Tull. Aubrey/Maturin & O'Brian/Tull. You'll never think of one without the other once you've listend to this series.

H.M.S. Surprise is the third in the Aubrey/Maturin series. As with the first two, it is a very realistic (mostly) but fictional story of life in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic era, focusing on the two companions: Capt. Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin.

At the novel's start, Jack's captures from the end of Post Captain are ruled to not be prizes, putting Jack back in debt. Jack's love with Sophie continues while Stephen's romance with Diana flounders. After Jack ends up in debtor's prison, the only escape is a long trip on the Surprise to the Indian Ocean.

Although this is one of a series of novels, it is not essential to encounter them in order (at least, not for the first three; I haven't gone past this one yet). The novels combine to make a full story arc, but each one is its own self-contained story.

Warning about H.M.S. Surprise, and most of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series: There is a great deal of nautical lingo from the age of sail with absolutely no translation for land-lubbers. If you don't know what a taffrail is, or how to tell a topsail from a t'gallant sail, a translation may be needed. Wikipedia can be your friend.

Patrick Tull's reading is very good; Audible has versions of this book read by Tull and Simon Vance. I feel that Tull is a superior story-teller who brings the book to life; his gravelly voice and (south England?) accent give the book a very nautical flair. But his strong regional accent and the older production quality might make it harder to hear. (Listen to the sample.)

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.

Having caught up with all the Connoly, Grisham, Sandford, Burke, Butcher, Crais, etc. books on offer - I decided to branch out. This is a great series. Good action and new vocabulary.

When Dr. Maturin was dumped by the woman of his dreams (or nightmares - opinions vary).

Dr. Maturin come to call on an elephant.

Not really. It's longish for a single go.

The narrator was so melodramatic in this reading that I was concerned that he might not make it. There is an alternative set of these books narrated by Simon Vance. I would recommend those instead of this series of recordings.