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The Golden Ocean

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The Golden Ocean

By: Patrick O’Brian
Narrated by: Kevin Hely
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About this listen

 The first novel Patrick O’Brian ever wrote about the sea – and the precursor to the famous Aubrey-Maturin series.

The Golden Ocean is the first novel Patrick O’Brian ever wrote about the sea. The novel shares the same sense of excitement and the rich humour of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, invoking the eloquent style and attention to historical detail that O’Brian readers admire so much.

The protagonist of this story is Peter Palafox, son of a poor Irish parson, who signs on as a midshipman, never before having seen a ship. He is a fellow who would have delighted the young Stephen Maturin or Jack Aubrey … and quarrelled with them as well. Together with his life-long friend Sean, Peter sets out to seek his fortune, embarking on a journey of danger, disappointment, foreign lands and excitement.

Written in 1956, this is a tale certain to please not only the many admirers of O’Brian, but any reader with an adventurous soul.

©2023 Patrick O’Brian (P)2023 Simon and Schuster Audio Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sea Adventures Fiction Adventure

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Critic reviews

"If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive... They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action." (Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph)

"My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well." (David Mamet)

"One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time... Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed." (Max Hastings, Evening Standard)
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I really enjoyed this book and the only thing I found distracting was the narrators interpretation of Kepples voice. He sounds like an elderly Cockney, not the 2nd son of an Earl. Even losing his teeth I don't think would cause Kepple to sound like he did.

Really enjoyable and quite funny

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Very enjoyable and couldn't put it down. Lovely Irish voices and descriptions of the sailing.

Really good

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really enjoyed the book. especially the diverse characters and descriptions of key locations visited by the ship.

A must read for anyone interested in Ansons voyage

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After a slow start this story got going and a great take of life in 18th century Royal Navy.

Patrick O'brian at his best

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Great book made better by great narration. I did struggle to keep interest at the early stages of this story but it didn’t take long till it became truly addictive.

Built up into a story I wished would never end!

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Kevin Hely, the narrator was excellent. I may be biased as other than the authors technical observations I found the story to be intermittently engaging.

Little Action

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