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HMS Surprise
Series: Aubrey-Maturin
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 21,054 ratings, 983 reviews)
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The epic historical action adventure historical fiction novel
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Description
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, introducing these modern classics to a new generation.
HMS Surprise follows the variable fortunes of Captain Jack Aubrey's career in Nelson's navy as he attempts to hold his ground against admirals, colleagues, and the enemy, accepting a mission to convey a British ambassador to the East Indies. The voyage takes him and his friend Stephen Maturin to the strange sights and smells of the Indian sub-continent and through the archipelago of spice islands where the French have a near-overwhelming superiority.
Rarely has a novel managed to convey more vividly the fragility of a sailing ship in a wild sea. Rarely has a historical novelist combined action and lyricism of style in the way that O'Brian does. His superb sense of place, brilliant characterisation, and a vigour and joy of writing lift O'Brian above any but the most exalted of comparisons.
Series: Aubrey-Maturin
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Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian is the enthralling first instalment in the acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, celebrated as one of the finest collections of historical novels ever penned. The story sets sail in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars and introduces the reader to Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Dr Stephen Maturin, a ship’s surgeon with a covert...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
The Hundred Days
'If we had only two or three of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, we would count ourselves lucky; with six or seven the author would be safely among the greats of historical fiction. But this is his nineteenth volume!' WILLIAM WALDEGRAVE, Literary Review Following the extraordinary success of The Yellow Admiral, this latest Aubrey-Maturin novel brings alive the sights and sounds of...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
The Mauritius Command
In The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian, the enthralling adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his close confidante, Stephen Maturin, continue with a mission of unparalleled complexity and danger. When Aubrey finds himself ashore on half-pay and devoid of a command, his spirits are lifted by the arrival of Maturin, who doubles as a covert intelligence agent with pivotal orders....Paperback$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
Treason’s Harbour
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Uniquely among authors of naval fiction, Patrick O'Brian allows...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
The Yellow Admiral
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Yellow Admiral—the eighteenth novel in the sequence hailed...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Desolation Island
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. It is still the War of 1812. Patrick O'Brian...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Clarissa Oakes
The fifteenth Aubrey-Maturin novel in which Jack finds himself reunited with the Surprise, but dangerously out of touch with his crew. All the elements that have made Patrick O'Brian's astonishing series one of the most highly praised works in contemporary fiction are here in Clarissa Oakes—the narrative grip, the impeccable ear for dialogue, the humour, and the unsurpassed capacity to...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Commodore
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Jack Aubrey's long service is at last rewarded: he...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Wine-Dark Sea
At the opening of a voyage filled with disaster and delight, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are in pursuit of a privateer sailing under American colours through the Great South Sea. Stephen's objective is to set the revolutionary tinder in South America ablaze to relieve the pressure on the British government, which has blundered into war with the young and...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Reverse of the Medal
Returning from South America, Jack Aubrey finds himself led into the half worlds of the London criminal underground in this most unconventional of Patrick O'Brian's lauded naval tales. The Reverse of the Medal continues the thrilling adventures of Aubrey and his loyal companion, Dr Stephen Maturin, as they navigate treacherous waters, both on sea and land, in this gripping instalment...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Surgeon’s Mate
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Surgeon’s Mate follows Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Patrick O'Brian's HMS Surprise has garnered praise for its vibrant writing and masterful storytelling. Critics have likened O'Brian to the Homer of the Napoleonic Wars, noting his exceptional ability to create an immersive and believable world. The book is lauded for its exciting narrative, authenticity, and the depth of its characters, making it a thrilling adventure and a remarkable piece of literature.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780006499176
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 January 1997
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: HarperCollins
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 300g
Pages: 416
About the Author
Patrick O'Brian, one of our greatest contemporary novelists, is the author of the acclaimed Aubrey/Maturin tales and the biographer of Joseph Banks and Picasso. His first novel, Testimonies, and his Collected Short Stories have recently been republished by HarperCollins. In 1995, he was the first recipient of the Heywood Hill Prize for a lifetime's contribution to literature. In the same year he was awarded the CBE. In 1997 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of letter by Trinity College, Dublin. He died in January 2000 at the age of 85.
Also by Patrick O’Brian
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17% off
Master and Commander
Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian is the enthralling first instalment in the acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, celebrated as one of the finest collections of historical novels ever penned. The story sets sail in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars and introduces the reader to Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Dr Stephen Maturin, a ship’s surgeon with a covert...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
The Hundred Days
'If we had only two or three of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, we would count ourselves lucky; with six or seven the author would be safely among the greats of historical fiction. But this is his nineteenth volume!' WILLIAM WALDEGRAVE, Literary Review Following the extraordinary success of The Yellow Admiral, this latest Aubrey-Maturin novel brings alive the sights and sounds of...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips Tuesday -
The Mauritius Command
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The Yellow Admiral
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Yellow Admiral—the eighteenth novel in the sequence hailed...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Desolation Island
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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The fifteenth Aubrey-Maturin novel in which Jack finds himself reunited with the Surprise, but dangerously out of touch with his crew. All the elements that have made Patrick O'Brian's astonishing series one of the most highly praised works in contemporary fiction are here in Clarissa Oakes—the narrative grip, the impeccable ear for dialogue, the humour, and the unsurpassed capacity to...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Commodore
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Jack Aubrey's long service is at last rewarded: he...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Wine-Dark Sea
At the opening of a voyage filled with disaster and delight, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are in pursuit of a privateer sailing under American colours through the Great South Sea. Stephen's objective is to set the revolutionary tinder in South America ablaze to relieve the pressure on the British government, which has blundered into war with the young and...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Reverse of the Medal
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The Nutmeg of Consolation
The fourteenth novel in the classic Aubrey-Maturin series finds Aubrey and Maturin shipwrecked, harassed by pirates, and then in the brutal penal colonies of New South Wales. Patrick O'Brian is regarded by many as the greatest living historical novelist writing in English. In The Nutmeg of Consolation, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin begin stranded on an uninhabited island in the...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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