Master and Commander cover art

Master and Commander

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1

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Master and Commander

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors: his depiction of the detail of life aboard an early 19th century man-of-war, of weapons, food, conversation and ambience, of the landscape and of the sea. O’Brian’s portrayal of each of these is faultless and the sense of period throughout is acute. His power of characterisation is above all masterly. Ric Jerrom reads this classic sea story from Patrick O’Brien.

©2014 Audible, Inc.; 1970 The Estate of the late Patrick O’Brien CBE Action & Adventure Espionage Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction War Suspense

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Most relevant
... It is not the best of his novels, (he really hits his stride a few stories down the line) but it is the right place to begin and after a slow start in Port Mahon this story gets interesting. The really great thing about O Brian's novels, apart from the detail and authentic atmosphere, is the way he manages to steer clear of the old three act hero's journey structure. There is action and heroism of course, but so much more, and his stories seem to warp and change key in unexpected ways, often wrong-footing the reader. I do hope we are going to see the rest of the series released unabridged too. (If possible read by Ric Jerrom.)

Huzzay!

At last, unabridged and well read...it begins.

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As a massive fan of this justly famous and much loved series I was nervous of possible mortal injury to my own internal narrator from some badly formed and merely commercial attempt at an audiobook.



So I am pleased to confirm that it is Beautifully read with the characters voiced delightfully.



I hesitated for months before taking a chance on this. If you are a big Aubrey and Maturin fan then buy it now.

Which it was a relief!

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Loved these books for years, such detail, such knowledge, such style, such a mordant wit and most of all such fabulous and detailed yarns.
I also enjoyed the film which was (loosely) based on this and a later novel "The Far Side of the World".
Comimg to the Audible version I was a little nervous: the main characters have their own voices in my imagination after all these years, but this reading did not let me down. In fact some of the more obscure nautical passages (and for the beginner these can be a tad daunting) became clearer through Mr. Jerrom's excellent reading.
The only disappointment is that I couldn't go straight on to Post Captain, because Audible have only produced one other unabridged novel in the series.
Come on Audible, we may be a smallish crew of admirers, but we are loyal to Honest Jack and we will happily follow him and the admirable Doctor for another 19 of these excellent tales.
Brilliant.

Please listen to the crew!!!

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This first novel in O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series is superb. It is beautifully written, with a rich language that evokes a powerful sense of the period and a detailed portrait of the characters, combined with a great story that recreates the excitement of adventures at sea. I found myself totally immersed in the narrative and enjoyed the recreation of the culture and social mores of the time.

The narration by Ric Jerrom is excellent too. He brings the characters and the story to life.

I recommend this audiobook without reservation.

Master of the Novel

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This is an addictive story which will lead you in to the rest of the series. Although the books don't have to be read/listened to in order, this one sets the background and personalities of the key characters. They are developed wonderfully well, with all their charms and their faults. Very sympathetic reading by Ric Jerrom. The play on language and the use of the vernacular is very entertaining and it's altogether rivetting stuff. And you learn about an important time in British naval history at the same time.

Seafaring, adventure and great history

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