HMS Surprise: Aubrey/Maturin series, book 3
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Review
‘Few, very few, books have made my heart thump with excitement. H.M.S. Surprise managed it. [O’Brian’s] erudition is phenomenal, as is his capacity for creating another completely believable world. I might have given a better idea of this book if I had simply written 600 times the word
“superb”.’ Helen Lucy Burke, Irish Times
‘As sinewy, and virile as its predecessors, this is a copper-bottomed investment for the numerous fans of Jack Aubrey… we sail breathlessly through perilous seas to the Far East. Vivid and authentic as is Mr O’Brian’s mastery of period and life at sea, it is in his creation of characters that he excels.’
Sarah Lake, Daily Telegraph
Review
‘Few, very few, books have made my heart thump with excitement. H.M.S. Surprise managed it. [O’Brian’s] erudition is phenomenal, as is his capacity for creating another completely believable world. I might have given a better idea of this book if I had simply written 600 times the word
“superb”.’ Helen Lucy Burke, Irish Times
‘As sinewy, and virile as its predecessors, this is a copper-bottomed investment for the numerous fans of Jack Aubrey… we sail breathlessly through perilous seas to the Far East. Vivid and authentic as is Mr O’Brian’s mastery of period and life at sea, it is in his creation of characters that he excels.’
Sarah Lake, Daily Telegraph
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was already enthralled by the sea faring adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his secretive friend Stephen Maturin before I came to this book, but this was the point of no return. I am now happily condemned to read them all.
No less comic or swashbuckling, but with a darker, more mature tone - real tragedy and disappointment haunt these pages. This novel is an extraordinary achievement by any standard.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It seems strange now that when O'Brian's Napoleonic sea-faring tales were first published that they were initially compared to C S Forester's 'Hornblower' novels. Even the early books clearly had so much more to them that it now seems faintly absurd,like comparing a Ferrari with a Mondeo. The books obviously haven't changed over time, just peoples perceptions of them. I was lucky enought to find them quite early on &, for me, they seemed like a gift from the Gods & are still amongst my all-time favourite novels. HMS Surprise was the 3rd written & remains one of the very best, possibly only surpassed by The Reverse of the Medal & The Nutmeg of Consolation. The book starts in thrilling fashion with a desperate,audacious rescue (the action reminiscent of something from Dennis Wheatley's Roger Brook series) & finishes with a spectacular sea battle in the Indian Ocean. What falls in between is a heady cocktail of action & adventure, by sea & land, with a poignant episode in India & a near fatal duel & it's aftermath being amongst the more memorable. But this is so much more than just an action/adventure story because fundamental issues of life (& death) are constantly considered & dealt with, not always very wisely but by believable & fully human characters with all their attendant graces & follies. Some of the central characters are given intelligent, enquiring minds so many of the assumptions & practices of the day are questioned & challenged, sometimes literally as well as figuratively. There is also a good measure of ,mainly quiet, humour, with the occasional excrutiating pun. It all adds up to a very broad canvass & one that seems to appeal to a wide audience, even my mum eventually getting hooked on the series !
So, read this book & seek out the others, you'll surely be pleasantly 'Surprised'.
So, read this book & seek out the others, you'll surely be pleasantly 'Surprised'.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Post captain is such a fine novel that HMS surprise took some time to draw me in.
This is in fact all a part of O'Brian's magic - once the Surprise is at sea once again I was hooked.
The scenes in India are particularly well- written and deeply moving.
The next instalment is safely ordered . This series is a tremendous treat
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
HMS Surprise Audio
First unabridged audio boon I have listened too and what a difference, different reader, better voice, over all a very good audio book and well worth it,,, all 10 discs,,
Published 1 month ago by Jim T
My opinion
This is the first Patrick O'Brien novel I'v read, although I'v seen the great film, "Master and Commander". Read more
Published 3 months ago by Steve
Seamanship and leadership
A ship worthy of captain Jack Aubrey at last, and the opportunity for gripping displays of seamanship and leadership. Read more
Published 7 months ago by JoTownhead
Lucky Jack.. Series
Fantastic series of books by Patrick O,Brian. Good quality paper backs at the best price. Delivered quickly.
Well done Amazon I'll be back for more.
Well done Amazon I'll be back for more.
Published 10 months ago by Captain Chaos
HMS Surprise
No. 3 of the Aubrey=Maturin series is even better than Post Captain and goes deeper into personalities. The voyages are fascinating, very exciting and riveting reading. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Sr Avril Landay
a superb read
top notch. another terrific story from o'brian. hardly news if you already know about him and his brilliant aubrey-maturin books. and if you don't, what's your excuse? Read more
Published 18 months ago by Kieran Cagney
Christopher's review
O'Brian was an absolute master of his subject. He filled out his narrative with authentic detail of life in the early nineteenth century, together with a surprising depth of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Christopher Holligan
Subtle and evocative with some nice comedic touches - but...
In this third of the Aubrey-Maturin series we see more of Stephen and his life as a spy, as well as another chapter in his ongoing relationship with the rather wonderful Diana... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Roman Clodia
Beat to quarters Mr Pullings!
After 'Master and Commander' I waded straight into 'HMS Surprise' and after the first chapter ran aground like the land-lubber that I am. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Thylacine333
Wonderful
this is the third of the Aubrey - Maturin series and the first that really gets under the skin of the characters. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2008 by D. J. Brown
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