The Wine-Dark Sea

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 16

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Large in body and spirit, Jack Aubrey throws his heavy frame up mainmasts as if he were a boy of ten. Tendentiously traditional, Aubrey spends his evenings with ship’s surgeon Stephen Maturin, a brilliant naturalist and occasional spy for the British government. In the quiet of Aubrey’s cabin, the two work on their Corelli; after numerous voyages their friendship has mellowed into a touching, if occasionally tempestuous, marriage.

Devotees can expect a number of spectacular battle scenes, shipboard jests, and the historical mimicry for which O’Brian is so famous. Maturin’s efforts to persuade Peruvians to revolt against the Spanish crown will send him on a perilous journey across the Andes, while Aubrey will be reunited briefly with his illegitimate black son, and suffer dreadfully under the blustery politics of a Rousseauian.

This audiobook includes an exclusive afterword with the author.

©1993 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"So much better than the competition that comparisons long ago ceased to be relevant: [the Aubrey/Maturin books] are uniquely excellent." (The New York Times)

"Meticulously researched and heart-stoppingly vivid." (Washington Post Book World)

Hard to put it down

I really enjoy the suspense and action of these stories. The reader really makes it special.

Wow

these are the kinds of stories that stay in the back of your mind 4 days and weeks, and feel like re-union with an old friend when you pick them back up.

The best series!

Loved every page!!!!loved every page! The history, characters and story! You cannot beat this series!’

The Wine Dark Sea

Patrick O'Brian did a great job narrating this story. This is an interesting tale the first half deals mostly with Aubrey and sailing along with sea battles. The description of the wine dark sea, earthquakes and the volcanic explosion in the ocean was fascinating. The second half deal more with Maturin and the politics and intrigue of Peru and Chili. Then his trek along the Andean Mt's to Chili with the naturalist description. Interesting book.

A Masterpiece

Brilliant writing. Terrific narration.

What more could you ask for?

The best of the nautical genre.