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The Surgeon's Mate Audiobook
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(4.00) - 4,300 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are ordered home by dispatch vessel to bring the news of their latest victory to the government. But Maturin is a marked man for the havoc he has wrought in the French intelligence network in the New World, and the attention of two privateers soon becomes menacing. The chase that follows through the fogs and shallows of the Grand Banks is as tense, and as unexpected in its culmination, as anything Patrick O'Brian has written.
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"Nice cruise into the Baltic, lots of political and military intrigue and a bit of navigational background into this area. Jack's in deep sh*t business-wise and a little politically, Maturin's at his finest as an intelligence agent, spy and scientist. The final chapters in Paris are obviously not naval at all and rather eventless as far as action goes, but all's well that ends well and never mind manouvres, always go straight at 'em. The wedding at the end may be a little schmaltzy for some readers, though."
— Robert (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[O’Brian is] better than anybody at historical fiction.”
— Denver Post, praise for the series -
“The best thing afloat since Horatio Hornblower.”
— The Observer (London)
The Surgeon's Mate Listener Reviews
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" The Surgeon's Mate is another solid installment in the Aubrey-Maturin series. The narration, as always, is wonderful. Lots of nautical fun and games in the Baltic, and a bit of romance in Paris, with the spotlight on Stephen. "
— ILRose, 9/6/2023 -
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David Bamford, 2/21/2023
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Bruce Jondle, 12/5/2022
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otte Rosenkrantz, 2/5/2022
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Steven Shockway, 8/15/2021
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Anthony Schiro, 9/28/2020
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Edwin Gordon, 7/14/2020
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Lauchlin Meagher, 5/4/2020
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Thomas Hjerpe, 1/4/2019
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" O.K. I was going to give it 2 stars, but the last chapter took it up one. "
— Michael, 2/16/2014 -
" O'Brian is one of my reliable vacation authors. Who can resist a Basque spy/scientist/physician in the 19th century British Navy? "
— nlh, 2/16/2014 -
" From the author of Master and Commander. Great read. "
— Beth, 2/13/2014 -
" O'Brian is one of my reliable vacation authors. Who can resist a Basque spy/scientist/physician in the 19th century British Navy? "
— nlh, 2/10/2014 -
" Please note, this 5 star rating is based on my long ago memories of this book - I may have read it greater than 12 years ago. I recall reading and really liking it, and even kept the book to read again in the future (something I only do with good, or otherwise significant books). The memories of an old man are sometimes faulty so this could really only warrant 3.5 to 4.5 stars, instead of the 5 I gave it. Once I re-read the book I will update this rating/review to more accurately reflect my thoughts. "
— Bill, 2/8/2014 -
" Another favorite from O'Brian's series of masterful historical fiction. "
— Philip, 2/7/2014 -
" Boat Book #7. Yay for the fewer boat battles! Stephen's cool. But I still dislike Diana. "
— Drianne, 2/6/2014 -
" The last few Aubrey/Maturin books kind of run into each other so on with this one. It is the weakest of the bunch thus far; enjoyable, to be sure, but lacking the sense of action that the first few books carried. Still, an immersive world of strong characters and invested reading. "
— Ian, 1/29/2014 -
" Like all of the Aubrey/Maturin books, this was just a ripping good tale. O'Brian lets you smell the powder, hear the tearing canvas and feel the salt spray. And his characters and plots are not only believable but very much alive. "
— Dan, 1/29/2014 -
" I love Patrick O'Brian, 'nuff said... "
— Chris, 1/28/2014 -
" Finally Dr Maturin displays his abilities in this last three books resolving several story lines with his work in espionage. He even gets Diana to finally marry him. "
— Nicole, 1/24/2014 -
" More. What could I say? Putty in the man's hands. "
— Mackay, 1/23/2014 -
" One of the best books in the series ... only 4 stars because of extensive typos in the Norton hardcover version I am reading now. "
— Doug, 1/21/2014 -
" There's hardly any naval battles in this novel. I'm beginning to wonder if I should bother finishing the series, or just reread Hornblower. "
— Elron, 1/20/2014 -
" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 1/19/2014 -
" A good addition to the continuing story of Jack A. and Stephen M. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me, which is always a plus. "
— Tlnorz, 1/15/2014 -
" Very good read. All I can say re: the plot is... it's about time! You'll see, in the last 25 pages or so ;-) "
— Paul-Dad-TheAged, 1/14/2014 -
" Good. I have read it before. "
— Alec, 1/9/2014 -
" Another very enjoyable tale of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. Read three in succession they're so addictive. "
— James, 1/2/2014 -
" Another favorite from O'Brian's series of masterful historical fiction. "
— Philip, 1/1/2014 -
" Spy novel: with romance and ships! "
— Will, 12/30/2013 -
" Another in O'Brian's series of Aubrey-Maturin historical novels, set in the British navy during the Napoleonic era. Thoroughly enjoyable and meticulously researched as always. "
— Eric, 12/25/2013 -
" Starts with Stephen, Jack, and Diana V in America. Then off to sea--in various ships. What new scrapes will Jack get into? Will Stephen ever learn to board a ship without falling? Stay tuned.... "
— LDuchess, 12/22/2013 -
" This series continues to thrill... for an erstwhile sailor like myself, and lover of the Great Ships, this stuff is like eye and brain candy. "
— Rob, 12/12/2013 -
" O.K. I was going to give it 2 stars, but the last chapter took it up one. "
— Michael, 11/24/2013 -
" One of the best books in the series ... only 4 stars because of extensive typos in the Norton hardcover version I am reading now. "
— Doug, 11/12/2013 -
" Another fine Aubrey-Maturin entry. "
— Jack, 10/9/2013 -
" Boat Book #7. Yay for the fewer boat battles! Stephen's cool. But I still dislike Diana. "
— Drianne, 10/8/2013 -
" Like all of the Aubrey/Maturin books, this was just a ripping good tale. O'Brian lets you smell the powder, hear the tearing canvas and feel the salt spray. And his characters and plots are not only believable but very much alive. "
— Dan, 8/9/2013 -
" Other than Aubrey and Maturin sailing off together, these books are incredibly varied. A particularly fun one! "
— Jane, 8/6/2013 -
" Excellent, of course. And again and again. "
— Diana, 7/24/2013 -
" But why does Jagiello say "Draw, incest," to the Dane on page 246? "
— Squeaky, 7/12/2013 -
" Another excellent chapter in what has basically become, by this point, one enormously long book. A delightful ending. "
— Matthias, 6/26/2013 -
" Interesting that they are in America. "
— Darlene, 5/27/2013 -
" I have loved this entire series so far, but The Surgeon's Mate was one of O'Brian's better ones. The plot is a lot of fun, as always, but he also explores some interesting insights into human nature that I found fascinating. "
— Tagg, 1/24/2013 -
" The endings of these books are so fantastic that it is impossible not to go on to the next. "
— Tiffin, 1/1/2013 -
" I have loved this entire series so far, but The Surgeon's Mate was one of O'Brian's better ones. The plot is a lot of fun, as always, but he also explores some interesting insights into human nature that I found fascinating. "
— Tagg, 12/27/2012 -
" This one had a lot of great moments, but seemed less than the sum of it's parts to me. The last fifth or so was great, though, and the ending was lovely. "
— Currer, 11/10/2012 -
" Another great Aubrey/Maturin novel. Some parts dragged a bit, but there was plenty of sea battle action and naval companionship to liven my days! "
— Kiri, 10/8/2012 -
" An enjoyable story. "
— Tom, 7/13/2012 -
" Another solid, charming entry in the series, flocked with high-seas adventure and O'Brian's signature straight-faced humor. "
— K.M., 6/14/2012 -
" From the author of Master and Commander. Great read. "
— Beth, 4/9/2012 -
" Re-read: August 2012 "
— Sara, 4/3/2012 -
" Finally Dr Maturin displays his abilities in this last three books resolving several story lines with his work in espionage. He even gets Diana to finally marry him. "
— Nicole, 3/29/2012 -
" Fun. O'Brian is still finding ways to keep it fresh. "
— Aneel, 3/17/2012 -
" Listened to this as a recorded book. Great tale, humor, adventure, endearing characters, wonderful descriptions. "
— Jean, 2/23/2012 -
" O'Brian never fails. All the humor, adventure, suspense and historical detail of the previous Aubrey/Maturin novels. And finally some loose ends are settled, or so we are led to believe. For pure escapism history buffs can do no better than this master novelist. "
— Ian, 11/19/2011 -
" Another very enjoyable tale of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. Read three in succession they're so addictive. "
— James, 7/13/2011 -
" Another in O'Brian's series of Aubrey-Maturin historical novels, set in the British navy during the Napoleonic era. Thoroughly enjoyable and meticulously researched as always. "
— Eric, 5/22/2011 -
" Another in O'Brian's series of Aubrey-Maturin historical novels, set in the British navy during the Napoleonic era. Thoroughly enjoyable and meticulously researched as always. "
— Eric, 5/22/2011 -
" O'Brian never fails. All the humor, adventure, suspense and historical detail of the previous Aubrey/Maturin novels. And finally some loose ends are settled, or so we are led to believe. For pure escapism history buffs can do no better than this master novelist. "
— Ian, 5/15/2011 -
" O'Brian never fails. All the humor, adventure, suspense and historical detail of the previous Aubrey/Maturin novels. And finally some loose ends are settled, or so we are led to believe. For pure escapism history buffs can do no better than this master novelist. "
— Ian, 5/15/2011 -
" Previously read in January 2009. "
— Greg, 3/19/2011 -
" I have loved this entire series so far, but The Surgeon's Mate was one of O'Brian's better ones. The plot is a lot of fun, as always, but he also explores some interesting insights into human nature that I found fascinating. "
— Tagg, 1/6/2011 -
" I have loved this entire series so far, but The Surgeon's Mate was one of O'Brian's better ones. The plot is a lot of fun, as always, but he also explores some interesting insights into human nature that I found fascinating. "
— Tagg, 1/6/2011 -
" This series continues to thrill... for an erstwhile sailor like myself, and lover of the Great Ships, this stuff is like eye and brain candy. "
— Rob, 12/26/2010 -
" This series continues to thrill... for an erstwhile sailor like myself, and lover of the Great Ships, this stuff is like eye and brain candy. "
— Rob, 12/26/2010 -
" I love Patrick O'Brian, 'nuff said... "
— Chris, 12/9/2010 -
" I love Patrick O'Brian, 'nuff said... "
— Chris, 12/9/2010 -
" Good. It was more of the same from the series, but I've enjoyed them all, so that's not a bad thing. There was some action at the end of this one that actually made me a little anxious. So that was good. "
— Motorcycle, 9/10/2010 -
" Good. It was more of the same from the series, but I've enjoyed them all, so that's not a bad thing. There was some action at the end of this one that actually made me a little anxious. So that was good. "
— Motorcycle, 9/10/2010 -
" In this book our heroes are held captive by the French...but there is hope: Book #8! What a delightful serial experience; at the end of one book, you look forward to the next! "
— Sandy, 7/19/2010 -
" In this book our heroes are held captive by the French...but there is hope: Book #8! What a delightful serial experience; at the end of one book, you look forward to the next! "
— Sandy, 7/19/2010 -
" I took it as a light holiday read and that is exactly what it is. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— David, 6/25/2010 -
" I took it as a light holiday read and that is exactly what it is. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— David, 6/25/2010 -
" One of the best books in the series ... only 4 stars because of extensive typos in the Norton hardcover version I am reading now. "
— doug, 5/13/2010 -
" One of the best books in the series ... only 4 stars because of extensive typos in the Norton hardcover version I am reading now. "
— doug, 5/13/2010
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.