The Wine-Dark Sea Audiobook

" However engaging the earlier books in the series are (and they are very engaging), here I feel that the author has really started to hit his stride. Aubrey, Maturin and even the secondary characters seem sharply drawn, distinct, entirely believable. The only criticism I have - and it's more a remark than a criticism - is that the pronunciation of the South American names could be bettered. But I expect that's because I live in Brazil so I'm accustomed to the Portuguese and Spanish pronunciations. "

" Fantastic series, with likable characters, great plot and interesting adventures. went through the whole series (and a couple of the individual stories a second time). "

" Rambles a little in the middle but starts and ends very well indeed. "

" Faultless, as ever. The plotting was, perhaps, a little thin; but when it comes as part of such beautifully written prose, and interspersed with such fantastically observed events as the emergence of a new volcanic island, or Stephen's adventures in the Andes, I really can't bring myself to care. Only four books left in the series, though! I think I shall have to slow down my pace again. I find myself wanting to really draw this series out, to make it last. "

" I started reading this series in 2004 and stopped on this one for some reason. Time to get back to it! "

" Awesome. Sea battles and Peruvian exploration and political intrigue and character interaction galore. The subtle touches of humor are delightful and had me laughing out loud on occasion. "

" I really enjoyed this installment, but not as much as other novels in the series. I think it's because nothing really happens. OK, a lot happens, but no significant plot development. This is surprising, as the ship has finally reached the destination where Stephen can fulfill the commission he received three books ago. The book, however, is more notable for its unusual weather: a lightning strike; a blizzard in the Andes; a volcano. As always, there is the interesting human element -- including, in this case, a surgeon's assistant who doses himself for an imaginary complaint (which I see as O'Brian's way of retiring the character, who was getting a bit tedious) and a charismatic prisoner who causes trouble by talking up his vision of a democratic society. "

" One of the most enjoyable in the series so far "

" Not to read a handful of the Aubry books is to miss visiting one of the most thoroughly realized and absorbing imaginary worlds in all of English literature. O'Brian may not be as essential to life as Shakespeare, but he makes life richer by far. "

" I have read the entire Aubrey/Maturn series at least six times, in order, and been captivated by many facets. Of course the sheer adventure is enthralling, but the way in which O'Brian has developed his characters as the books go along is magical. One reviewer called O'Brian " The Jane Austen of the 20th century." Right on! Only in the last two books as O'Brian aged and was no doubt under pressure from publishers, did the standards slip. "

" Another pleasant sea romp with Jack and Stephen this time off the coast of South America, lots of action but not one of the best in the series. Audio read by Patrick Tull. "

" This voyage is looooong. "

" I know Patrick O'Brian is a cult figure for a number of readers and I can understand the attraction. Well written, deeply historical, great characterization and intriguing plots. I read this first and then The Hundred Days and then stopped. It just isn't for me to continue through the series. "

" Good overall, there is a section of this one that drags for a few pages. By this point O'Brian had reached the stage as an author wherein his editors print whatever he gives them without a critique; in the larger scheme of things an entire section of this book could have been cut out completely (maybe he was leaving open the development of a character who never emerges again as a prominent figure; that's the best explanation I can offer). "

" One of the most enjoyable in the series so far "

" It is the 16th book in the series of 21. all of which are compeling, funny, and intertaining. "

" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "

" Awesome. Sea battles and Peruvian exploration and political intrigue and character interaction galore. The subtle touches of humor are delightful and had me laughing out loud on occasion. "

" Not to read a handful of the Aubry books is to miss visiting one of the most thoroughly realized and absorbing imaginary worlds in all of English literature. O'Brian may not be as essential to life as Shakespeare, but he makes life richer by far. "

" Rambles a little in the middle but starts and ends very well indeed. "

" Another wonderful volume. Can't read these often enough. "

" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "

" This book had some very interesting scenes, one of which was the eruption of a volcano in the ocean and its affects on the wildlife and ships nearby. "

" Heart-stopping adventure. "

" first read Dec 2007 "

" After 16 volumes of this adventure, I'm not sure what else there is to say. Keep at 'em like Smoke and Oakum. "

" Previously read in mid-2008. Again on May 1, 2009. Good sea-faring action as Surprise and Franklin capture a pirate in a vivid scene. Good intrigue as Maturin schemes to overthrow the Spanish government of Peru, then flees through the Andes to Chile. "

" Another excellent chapter in the Aubrey/Maturin epic. You are as good as there with them crossing the atlantic and climbing the Andes. I highly recommend it, along with the other 20 books in the series! "

" Hugely enjoyable foray into the Pacific and Chilean coast "

" Good book! Ended without the typical cliff hanger necessitating the purchase of the next in the series... at this point a rarity! :P "

" Hugely enjoyable foray into the Pacific and Chilean coast "

" This was an enjoyable addition to the series. A bit slimmer than some of the other books, and entirely set at sea, with lots of action. "

" I found this to be one of the most exciting of the Aubrey Maturin novels. "

" Poor Aubrey and Maturin, they're getting so old! "

" Book #16...more adventures...and narrow escapes. This series has been marvelous to read. "

" Another wonderful volume. Can't read these often enough. "

" If this is Patrick Tull reading the Patrick O'Brian series... it's the best marriage of text and actor I have ever read. +++++ "

" Another excellent chapter in the Aubrey/Maturin epic. You are as good as there with them crossing the atlantic and climbing the Andes. I highly recommend it, along with the other 20 books in the series! "

" Stephen gets to eat guinea pigs in Peru. "

" I think this is the 3rd time of reading this over past 15 years, and it is still a great read. "

" This was an enjoyable addition to the series. A bit slimmer than some of the other books, and entirely set at sea, with lots of action. "

" More of the same... mizzenmasts, stay sails, full broadsides, avast ye matees, etc.<br/><br/>Time to take a break before going on to the next one. "

" More of the same... mizzenmasts, stay sails, full broadsides, avast ye matees, etc.<br/><br/>Time to take a break before going on to the next one. "

" Previously read in mid-2008. "

" The adventures of Jack and Stephen continue well. I don't recommend, however, reading all 20 in a row without a break. I am stopping to read something else before I continue with 17-20. <br/><br/>I am still enjoying them immensely though.<br/><br/> "

" The adventures of Jack and Stephen continue well. I don't recommend, however, reading all 20 in a row without a break. I am stopping to read something else before I continue with 17-20. <br/><br/>I am still enjoying them immensely though.<br/><br/> "

" Another leg of the legendary journey of Jack and Stephen. From Tonga to Peru, and Stephen's exertion in Peru. At last, home-bound for England after several years circumnavigate. Of course, many wonderful naval battles as well. <br/><br/>Already started the next in the series, The Commodore. "

" Another leg of the legendary journey of Jack and Stephen. From Tonga to Peru, and Stephen's exertion in Peru. At last, home-bound for England after several years circumnavigate. Of course, many wonderful naval battles as well. <br/><br/>Already started the next in the series, The Commodore. "

" Book #16...more adventures...and narrow escapes. This series has been marvelous to read. "

" Book #16...more adventures...and narrow escapes. This series has been marvelous to read. "

" Awesome. Sea battles and Peruvian exploration and political intrigue and character interaction galore. The subtle touches of humor are delightful and had me laughing out loud on occasion. "

" Awesome. Sea battles and Peruvian exploration and political intrigue and character interaction galore. The subtle touches of humor are delightful and had me laughing out loud on occasion. "

" This book had some very interesting scenes, one of which was the eruption of a volcano in the ocean and its affects on the wildlife and ships nearby. "

" This book had some very interesting scenes, one of which was the eruption of a volcano in the ocean and its affects on the wildlife and ships nearby. "