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The Golden Ocean Audiobook
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(4.00) - 751 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is the first novel Patrick O'Brian ever wrote about the sea, a precursor to the Aubrey-Maturin series that the New York Times has hailed as "the best historical novels ever written." The Golden Ocean shares the high-seas adventure and rich humor of this triumphant series, invoking the eloquent style and authentic historic atmosphere that O'Brian fans love so much. In 1740, two young Irishmen-lifelong friends Peter and Sean-join Commodore Anson and his crew on their quest for fortune and fame on the golden ocean.
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"O’ Brian’s sea adventure yarn (1966) fore tells many of the themes and 2 principal characters developed in subsequent novels. The love of sea travel and ship (Centurion), learning sailing skill, a sailor’s hard life and adventures seeking gold (Spanish). Traces of Aubrey appear in Commodore Anson’s respect for his men (willing to work with the men sawing lumber) and desiring a “happy ship’. Also, Midshipman Ransom’s awkward humour. Bits of Maturin are found in our Irish hero Peter Palafax as he discoveries the world’s newness; the chaplain’s moral philosophy and Sean’s Irish common sense. Listener’s need not begin O’Brian series (Aubrey / Maturin) before Golden Oceans but it gives many insight to the author. A spirited youth will enjoy this story."
— dre (5 out of 5 stars)
The Golden Ocean Listener Reviews
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Bruce Jondle, 1/3/2023
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" O'Brian is more famous for the Aubrey/Maturin series, but this book, his first seafaring adventure novel, is my favorite. He wrote it in six weeks, "laughing the whole time." The story is based on a true historical event, but the characters, most of them regular seamen or mid-shipmen, are all his making. "
— John, 2/13/2014 -
" Before Maturin and Aubrey, there was this little volume, and it is a delight. Note the characters' names taken from James Joyce's Portrait of the Artist, and the plot of the actual chase and capture of a Spanish treasure ship only slightly fictionalized. But all the themes of his later books, sans ruminations on aging, truncated, with his wonderful rhythm and language intact. This is a fun book by a master, not much talked about. "
— Duncan, 1/25/2014 -
" I'm a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian and his long series of nautical books. This nuatical story is an early one, before he develped the 2 main characters that are so beloved in the later series. That said, this book falls short in comparison. It does not even seem as well written to boot. It is of some interest and relevance to me as a devoted fan but I would not recommend it to a first-timer; read the Aubrey/Maturin series first! "
— Kate, 1/19/2014 -
" Recently been enjoying O'Brian's earlier works. This one was a treat. One gets to hear a slightly different take on life at sea from the perspective of an Irish midshipman. The book isn't quite as wrought with theme and tone as the Aubrey/Maturin series is. The pacing is also somewhat different and time lapses in jerking, shuddering leaps that take you by surprise. "
— Cole, 1/14/2014 -
" I read this because Adrian loves Patrick O'Brien books, and has read them all - a significant undertaking ... I tried one once before, at his urging, and found it so full of maritime jargon that it was unreadable (by me). Adrian particularly recommended this one, so I had another go. It was readable, and I finished it, but wouldn't go back for more. Very 'boys own', I thought. "
— Jenny2, 1/9/2014 -
" This book is O'brian's first seafaring adventure novel. It is my favorite of all of them. "
— Jack, 1/9/2014 -
" The first Patrick O'Brian book I read. Not my favorite, but I'll try another before I pass judgement. "
— Scott, 12/15/2013 -
" Very entertaining. Some parts seem a little disconnected, it is harder to follow than O'Brian usually is, but very good. I detect traits in the characters in this and The Unknown Shore that lead the development into the masterpieces Aubrey and Maturin are. "
— Daniel, 11/27/2013 -
" This earlier book by O'Brian foreshadows the excellent relationships between characters that make the Aubrey/Maturin "
— Valerie, 11/12/2013 -
" As charming and exciting as the Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Jenn, 10/24/2013 -
" Fantastic work. As good as Master and Commander. O' Brian is a top rate story teller. "
— Michael, 10/16/2013 -
" Delicious. I read this in the middle of the Aubrey/Maturin series and it was easy to see how O'Brian developed the series once I read this book. He really does have a superb attention to detail and his love for the ocean and those that love her is just so beautiful to behold. "
— Libby, 9/28/2013 -
" Thanks Bill and Agi, this book was great. I really liked seeing the whole voyage from a midshipman's point of view, that's missing from the Aubrey books. "
— Anna, 5/21/2013 -
" Very good, but not quite up to the Aubrey Maturin series. Here O'Brian is getting his feet wet in the nautical genre. "
— Ross, 3/30/2013 -
" I read this frequently. Great story, wonderful writing. "
— Elizabeth, 1/31/2013 -
" Just as good as his Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Nat, 12/9/2012 -
" I listed to this one and really enjoyed the humor and the way it was read. "
— Tamara, 11/28/2012 -
" Not O'Brian's best but interesting as a precedent to his Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Catherine, 11/26/2012 -
" Typical O,Brian "
— Rick, 4/10/2012 -
" One of O'Brian's earlier works and a forerunner of his seafaring, Aubrey/Maturin series. It does not reach the excellence of writing his later work attains, but this is well-done and quite enjoyable. "
— Jason, 3/24/2012 -
" This is is a great way to get into the POB cult (and a great book to read if you've already exhausted the AUbrey-Maturin series). A wonderful, funny, touching, page-turning adventure on the high seas with 2 great main characters. I'm just sorry he didn't follow Peter and Sean for 19 more books! "
— Liza, 2/10/2012 -
" Much better than "The Unknown Shore" as a precursor to the Aubrey/Maturin novels. "
— Grace, 12/24/2011 -
" Great sailing yarn. "
— Beth, 8/10/2011 -
" I really liked the story. I had a hard time with all the nautical jargon not being familiar with ships, but to me some of it was just too much because of my lack of knowledge. "
— Bonnie, 3/16/2011 -
" As charming and exciting as the Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Jenn, 6/2/2010 -
" Delicious. I read this in the middle of the Aubrey/Maturin series and it was easy to see how O'Brian developed the series once I read this book. He really does have a superb attention to detail and his love for the ocean and those that love her is just so beautiful to behold. "
— Libby, 4/5/2010 -
" Very good, but not quite up to the Aubrey Maturin series. Here O'Brian is getting his feet wet in the nautical genre. "
— Ross, 9/27/2009 -
" Much better than "The Unknown Shore" as a precursor to the Aubrey/Maturin novels. "
— Grace, 7/31/2009 -
" This is is a great way to get into the POB cult (and a great book to read if you've already exhausted the AUbrey-Maturin series). A wonderful, funny, touching, page-turning adventure on the high seas with 2 great main characters. I'm just sorry he didn't follow Peter and Sean for 19 more books! "
— Liza, 7/20/2009 -
" Fantastic work. As good as Master and Commander. O' Brian is a top rate story teller. "
— Michael, 6/15/2009 -
" This earlier book by O'Brian foreshadows the excellent relationships between characters that make the Aubrey/Maturin "
— Valerie, 5/10/2009 -
" Thanks Bill and Agi, this book was great. I really liked seeing the whole voyage from a midshipman's point of view, that's missing from the Aubrey books. "
— Anna, 3/8/2009 -
" Not O'Brian's best but interesting as a precedent to his Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Catherine, 1/19/2009 -
" I listed to this one and really enjoyed the humor and the way it was read. "
— Tamara, 11/15/2008 -
" I read this frequently. Great story, wonderful writing. "
— Elizabeth, 8/11/2008
About Patrick O'Brian
Patrick O’Brian (1914–2000), a translator and author of biographies, was best known as the author of the highly acclaimed Aubrey–Maturin series of historical novels. Set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars ,this twenty-volume series centers on the enduring friendship between naval officer Jack Aubrey and physician and spy Stephen Maturin. The Far Side of the World, the tenth book in the series, was adapted into a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture. He wrote acclaimed biographies of Pablo Picasso and Sir Joseph Banks. He also translated many works from the French, among them the novels and memoirs of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean Lacouture’s biographies of Charles de Gaulle.
About John Franklyn-Robbins
John Franklyn-Robbins (1924–2009) was an English character actor of stage and screen. A prolific Shakespearean actor, he trained at RADA and proceeded to work at the Manchester Library Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic early in his career. He played a diverse number of roles ranging from Ariel in The Tempest to Macduff in Macbeth. His prestigious stage career included stints in both the West End and Broadway. He also worked for both the BBC and ITV in their early formative years and went on to appear in such classic television series as The Avengers, The Baron, Z-Cars, Callan, I, Claudius, Doctor Who and Star Trek: The Next Generation.