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The Ionian Mission Audiobook
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(4.00) - 6,671 listener ratings
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Shoved into a temporary command in "that rotten old Worcester," Aubrey is off to the Mediterranean to join the Royal Navy's blockade of the French port of Toulon, where he will be dispatched by Admiral Harte (unfortunately the same Admiral Harte he cuckolded years ago) on a secret mission that promises to embroil Aubrey in political conflict. His friend Stephen's help notwithstanding, Aubrey faces some of the choppiest waters of his career.
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"This, the 8th installment of the Aubrey/Maturin series of naval adventures set during the Napoleonic wars, felt slightly different than many of its predecessors. The middle, say, 50% of the book was s l o w, but arguably that is as it should be since it's about holding a blockade against the French and Jack is in a long-term terrible mood (for good reason) and nothing much happened. It was a bit dampening of the spirits to read, especially after the beginning of the novel with Stephen and Diana married (!) and the typically hilarious situations with family life on shore for Jack. Then I slogged through the middle 150 pages or so of dreariness to finally emerge into the mission of the novel's title. A mission which was super funny and exciting and great; I just loved the whole crosscultural East-vs-West thing. And I COULD NOT believe how edge-of-your-seat thrillingly and intensely and yet abruptly this book ended; O'Brian is so, so skillful."
— Julia (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Dazzling…a pleasure to read.”
— Thomas Flanagen, New York Times bestselling author -
“O’Brian is one author who can put a spark of character into the sawdust of time, and The Ionian Mission is another rattling good yarn.”
— The Observer (London)
The Ionian Mission Listener Reviews
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David Bamford, 1/3/2023
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Steven Shockway, 11/6/2022
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Bruce Jondle, 10/26/2022
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Lauchlin Meagher, 9/10/2022
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Jerald McCoy, 9/2/2022
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Thomas Hjerpe, 7/28/2020
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" Not the best, but charming and fun and unexpected. "
— Mackay, 2/16/2014 -
" This one got off to a slow start with three aborted actions and a great deal of frustration, not least on the reader's part. It wasn't until the last 100 pages or so that Jack got the Surprise and a chance for successful action. As usual the book ends abruptly with no epilogue, so the reader must go on to the next book to find out all the results of this one. Shades of Scheherazade. Still, O'Brian writes a rousing good sea story, and it's the next best thing to being there oneself. "
— Maria, 2/15/2014 -
" Slowest so far... "
— Patrick, 2/7/2014 -
" I'm happily engrossed in this series but I must state that the story flows continuously between books so they might as well have been bound together in volumes. The reader must ensure they have the next book in the series to hand as they finish the previous or they run the risk of frustration. Never more so with this volume, which finishes abruptly without resolving the preceding plot! Next book now please! :-) "
— Robert, 2/6/2014 -
" Slowest so far... "
— Patrick, 2/1/2014 -
" One of the most delightful in this series.... stalls a little in the middle but a compelling ending. "
— Patricia, 1/21/2014 -
" For me, the weakest thus far. Just did not build enough dramatic energy and seemed to fizzle out by the end. Still, O'Brian's work is wonderful and I will go on reading the rest. Unmatched for delivering a period voice and feel with superb characterisations. "
— Clifford, 1/20/2014 -
" I'm happily engrossed in this series but I must state that the story flows continuously between books so they might as well have been bound together in volumes. The reader must ensure they have the next book in the series to hand as they finish the previous or they run the risk of frustration. Never more so with this volume, which finishes abruptly without resolving the preceding plot! Next book now please! :-) "
— Robert, 1/8/2014 -
" Slower and more disjointed than the previous installments, but ends with one of the best battles in the series. "
— K.M., 12/27/2013 -
" Patrick Tull brings the Jack Aubrey stories to life. You can almost hear the wind in the rigging and feel the spray on your face. This was not one of PO's best but it was still entertaining. "
— Jagad5, 12/24/2013 -
" Slower and more disjointed than the previous installments, but ends with one of the best battles in the series. "
— K.M., 12/20/2013 -
" Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, veterans now of many battles, return in this novel to the seas where they first sailed as shipmates. But a sudden turn of events takes them off on a hazardous mission to the Greek isles, where they are soon involved in fierce and thrilling action. "
— Eddy, 12/4/2013 -
" Of all the O'Brian books I have read to this point, I thought that this one was the least interesting. There was hardly any action at all and there was too much emphasis and description on things that just didn't interest me or seem to help move the book along. The last 20 pages or so had the most action in it and does make me want to pick up the next book though... "
— Steph, 12/3/2013 -
" Another great episode in the Aubrey / Maturin series; again, rated 4 stars due to the large number of typos in the Norton hardcover edition I am reading. "
— Doug, 12/1/2013 -
" another jack aubrey/stephen maturin napoleonic era sea saga. the writing is excellent with well developed, multi dimensional characters, interesting historical and nautical facts and a good action yarn to boot. a terrific series of books. "
— Jrobertus, 12/1/2013 -
" Read previously February 2009. "
— Greg, 11/27/2013 -
" Finally got through this with two renewals at the library! Many happy moments, but I think I need a breather. "
— Rachel, 11/21/2013 -
" Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander Series is one of the finest I've ever read "
— Julie, 6/17/2013 -
" The ending was a little abrupt... "
— Mitchell, 5/17/2013 -
" O'Brian is awesome! "
— Kaylynn, 5/3/2013 -
" This series about the Napoleanic War at sea is not for everyone. If you are looking for excitement on every page, look elsewhere. However, if you want beautiful writing, an expansive discussion of love and friendship and the sea, with enough adventure to keep you going, this is the place. "
— Will, 4/19/2013 -
" Continuing with my re-read of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, still one of the best things I have ever read "
— Nancy, 2/24/2013 -
" Very exciting and enjoyable. "
— Tim, 2/15/2013 -
" Another great chapter in the great historical fiction series by Patrick O'Brian. "
— Tagg, 1/25/2013 -
" Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander Series is one of the finest I've ever read "
— Julie, 9/9/2012 -
" Re-read one year later, Sept 2012, because I brought it on a trip by mistake. It had no problem remaining fresh and entertaining because why? Because The Aubrey/Maturin books are freaking genius, that's why. "
— Michael, 8/25/2012 -
" Love the detail, and imagine that the battle are scenes are as chaotic as O'Brian describes them. "
— Deanne, 8/19/2012 -
" One of the most delightful in this series.... stalls a little in the middle but a compelling ending. "
— Patricia, 3/12/2012 -
" another jack aubrey/stephen maturin napoleonic era sea saga. the writing is excellent with well developed, multi dimensional characters, interesting historical and nautical facts and a good action yarn to boot. a terrific series of books. "
— Jrobertus, 1/8/2012 -
" The first disappointing O'Brian. "
— Ahf, 12/21/2011 -
" Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, veterans now of many battles, return in this novel to the seas where they first sailed as shipmates. But a sudden turn of events takes them off on a hazardous mission to the Greek isles, where they are soon involved in fierce and thrilling action. "
— Eddy, 12/14/2011 -
" The book itself is a great read. The audiobook is better read by Patrick Tull, the original reader when the series was produced by Recorded Books. "
— Charles, 12/2/2011 -
" Re-read one year later, Sept 2012, because I brought it on a trip by mistake. It had no problem remaining fresh and entertaining because why? Because The Aubrey/Maturin books are freaking genius, that's why. "
— Michael, 5/2/2011 -
" Read previously February 2009. "
— Greg, 3/19/2011 -
" Continuing with my re-read of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, still one of the best things I have ever read "
— Nancy, 3/18/2011 -
" Continuing with my re-read of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, still one of the best things I have ever read "
— Nancy, 3/18/2011 -
" This was a lot like the Horatio Hornblower series, but not as good. "
— Amanda, 1/18/2011 -
" This was a lot like the Horatio Hornblower series, but not as good. "
— Amanda, 1/18/2011 -
" Another great chapter in the great historical fiction series by Patrick O'Brian. "
— Tagg, 12/11/2010 -
" Another great chapter in the great historical fiction series by Patrick O'Brian. "
— Tagg, 12/11/2010 -
" The book itself is a great read. The audiobook is better read by Patrick Tull, the original reader when the series was produced by Recorded Books. "
— Charles, 7/16/2010 -
" The book itself is a great read. The audiobook is better read by Patrick Tull, the original reader when the series was produced by Recorded Books. "
— Charles, 7/16/2010 -
" Another great episode in the Aubrey / Maturin series; again, rated 4 stars due to the large number of typos in the Norton hardcover edition I am reading. "
— doug, 5/13/2010 -
" Another great episode in the Aubrey / Maturin series; again, rated 4 stars due to the large number of typos in the Norton hardcover edition I am reading. "
— doug, 5/13/2010 -
" A solid book, but not as much fun as the previous few. "
— Aneel, 2/9/2010 -
" A solid book, but not as much fun as the previous few. "
— Aneel, 2/9/2010 -
" Slower and more disjointed than the previous installments, but ends with one of the best battles in the series. "
— K.M., 1/30/2010
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 Patrick Tull
Patrick Tull (1941–2006), born in the United Kingdom, was a multitalented actor of the stage, screen, and television, as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He acted in numerous American television shows from 1962 to 1996, including Crossroads, and he had roles in six Broadway plays between 1967 and 1992, including Amadeus. His film credits from 1969 to 1996 included roles as Cecil in Parting Glances and Jerry the bartender in Sleepers. He served as narrator for the television series Sea Tales. He narrated nearly forty audiobooks, and his readings of The Canterbury Tales, The Letter of Marque, Monk’s Hood, The Vicar of Wakefield, and How Green Was My Valley each earned him an AudioFile Earphones Award. His narration of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels was praised by novelist Stephen King as among his ten favorite audiobooks of 2006.