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HMS Surprise is the third historical novel in the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, first published in 1973. The series follows the partnership of Royal Navy Captain Jack Aubrey and his ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin during the wars against Napoleonic France.
- Patrick O'Brian
- 1973
As Jack takes a portion of his crew and Marines ashore to capture the Americans, the Surprise is blown away. Just as a battle is about to break out between the two crews, the Surprise returns, forcing the Americans to surrender. Jack sails her back to England, where she is sold out of service.
- 28 Guns
- Aubrey-Maturin novels
- Jack Aubrey
- 3 min
A day after leaving the China Fleet the Surprise spots a French Squadron cruising the Indian Ocean. Surprise engages the smallest sloop of the squadron, knocking about her sails, then turns and makes speed back to the fleet of merchantmen to warn them and organize a defence.
The novel opens with an exciting rescue sequence; an over-confident Maturin accepts a poorly-considered mission of secret intelligence which results in his capture, imprisonment, and torture. Aubrey, in temporary command of a frigate returning to England, learns of Maturin's plight and executes a daring rescue.
Jan 1, 2001 · In H.M.S. Surprise, British naval officer Jack Aubrey and surgeon Stephen Maturin face near-death and tumultuous romance in the distant waters ploughed by the ships of the East India Company.
- (19.9K)
- Paperback
The following transcription of the handwritten portions of Patrick O'Brian's manuscript for his final novel are based on not only my only ponderings on the subject, but also upon those of several other interested students of O'Brian's writings.
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Sep 15, 2013 · #1 Post Captain (1972) Patrick O’Brian’s magnificent sophomore work is the crown jewel of the series. The novel begins with O’Brian in full Jane Austen mode, following a young Jack Aubrey with prize money in his pocket and time on his hands because of an unfortunate lull in the Napoleonic wars, as he pursues his eventual wife, Sophie Williams.
