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  • The Wine-Dark Sea

  • By: Patrick O'Brian
  • Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
  • Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (550 ratings)
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The Wine-Dark Sea cover art

The Wine-Dark Sea

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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Summary

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 of South America ablaze to relieve the pressure on the British government which has blundered into war with the young and uncomfortably vigorous United States. The shock and barbarity of hand-to-hand fighting are sharpened by O'Brian's exact sense of period, his eye for landscape and his feel for a ship under sail.

©1993 The Estate of the late Patrick O'Brian CBE (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Wine-Dark Sea

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful.

Thrilling, thrilling, and Ric Jerrom performed his usual magic with all the parts. Lang may his lum reek...… Could have wished Maturin's voyage over the Andes was dealt with rather quicker, but interesting nevertheless.

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3 five stars !!!

I don't think I would read a review where the reviewer hadn't considered reviewing to be a skill of the utmost importance...and slapdash, in an odd moment had hit the five stars and moved on.

Not me, I'm a reader not a reviewer.

For over 65 years I have freely read whatever appealed. Initially James Bond (only for their naughtiness), high and low brow science fiction, then fantasy, all things Arthurian then historical novels, then particular settings Hornblower, Sharpe...My sleep pattern required me to read first then sleep ( now listen first as the books make lying and page turning someting of an art form)

These, including 'Wine Dark Sea' are all rereads, as 'listens' and the pleasure only increases.Not taxed with reading but only listening the reader is more fully immersed in the nature of the characters. Their feelings and motivations.Perhaps the purist of links to the author.
Thank you
DB, Uk,2022

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

As always a cracking tale in the continuing saga of Aubrey / Maturin series. Now I am just waiting for the next instalment. come on Jerrom and auduble!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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More please!

What did you like most about The Wine-Dark Sea?

As part of an epic story it works really well on its own terms. Lots of adventure and character-driven plot twists.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stephen Maturin just gets better with age - like a good cheese

What about Ric Jerrom’s performance did you like?

It is consistent, pacy, and he sounds like he has a real empathy for the characters. I love his Killick!

Any additional comments?

Why is it that numbers 19 and 20 are now available unabridged but 17 and 18 are not? It's very frustrating - at this rate I'll have to revert to my trusty paperback editions. Wonderful, but I'll miss you Ric Jerrom!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The usual excellent stuff

Another welcome addition to the Aubrey-Maturin sagas, the dr’s chile trek is a bit too long maybe but other than that it’s another great book in this fantastic series, can’t wait to read the next instalment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another brilliant episode

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

highly recommended, this work continues to story in the same depth and detail that makes this a stand-out piece by a legendary author

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wine-Dark Sea?

from start to finish the pace is relentless and told with a magnificence which has me re running it so as not to lose a detail.

What does Ric Jerrom bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

flow and pronunciation is impeccable the Latin does not phase him and the characterisation makes following the story a delight

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The most compelling sea drama ever

Any additional comments?

hurry up and finish the series, please

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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An older Aubrey and Maturin

Not as good as some of his first books, the wine dark sea gets a bit predictable , though there is everything the we have come to expect: battles at sea, naturalising, intelligence, trips to distant lands etc.
Jerrom's interpretation adds immensely as always.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ric Jerrom - Has he stopped this series?

What made the experience of listening to The Wine-Dark Sea the most enjoyable?

Ric Jerrom - I have the complete series by other narrators but these are the best.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maturin - the humour is just spot on

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, well smile alot :-)

Any additional comments?

It seems that Ric Jerrom has stopped at The Wine Dark Sea - I hope hope hope that he does the last few in the series...please please please.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My favourite so far

Rounds off a very long voyage perfectly. Has it all from the Peruvian mountains to the cape

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

More of the same

Not sure why you need a review of a book this far into the series - you either like it or you don't by now!

More romping around the oceans in the Surprise, with a fair amount of on-shore time, this time involving the doctor.

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