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  • The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey

  • By: Patrick O'Brian
  • Narrated by: Robert Hardy
  • Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (57 ratings)

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The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Robert Hardy
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Summary

The adventure continues . . .

At the time of his death, Patrick O'Brian had begun to write the twenty-first book in his famous and much-loved Aubrey–Maturin series. The chapters he left behind are presented here, both in printed version and a facsimile of his manuscript, which goes several pages beyond the end of the typescript and includes O’Brian’s own marginal notes.

The story picks up from the end of Blue at the Mizzen when Jack Aubrey receives the news, in Chile, of his elevation to flag rank: Rear Admiral of the Blue Squadron, with orders to sail to the South Africa station.

‘This fragment is both delightful and tantalising, with hints of a plot that might have involved Jack and Stephen with St Helena or Napoleon himself.’
Literary Review

©2010 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’
Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph

‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’
Louise Erdrich

‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’
Michael Palin

‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’
David Mamet

‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’
Max Hastings, Evening Standard

‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’
Christopher Hitchens

‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’
The Sunday Times

‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’
James Teacher, Spectator

‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’
Katie Fforde

What listeners say about The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey

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I Wish the rest was available to listen to

It was looking to be a worthy addition to the series, what a shame it couldn’t be completed. Very glad to have listened to it though.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I have listened to all of the books in chronological order and enjoyed them immensely, but this was so disappointing due to the poor narration. I know Robert Hardy is a respected actor, but he obviously did no research before reading this. He managed to turn Davies into a Welshman, and Doctor Machurin into a Leprechaun!
Rik Jerrome where are you?!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

disappointing

disappointed by the person performing the reading of the book, it just didnt feel like the characters were talking with each other.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

sometimes

I'm moved to write a review,it is a pity Patrick passed while writing this,'ve read all his novels about Aubrey and Maturin and this would have been as good as the rest but that narrator obviously never listened to any,he was atrocious absolutely and his voice done my head in,, absolutely.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pathetic narration

Such a shame for this last work in a legendary series to be let down by probably the worst audiobook performance I’ve heard.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not very good

Not one of his better books and I did not enjoy the narration. I realise he has died but not good value for 1 credit.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The final unfinished voyage of Jack Aubrey

This novel could have been as extraordinary and captivating (although unfinished) as all his previous ones have been, but sadly this one is grately lacking in its extremely poor quality narration which has obviously not been well researched or based on any of the previous masterpieces. Rick Jerome has done the most stupendous job on all other 20 of these outstanding historical naval literary masterpieces, what a great shame to have the last and unfinished work so poorly executed and delivered. So very disappointing.

Definitely not value for money either, you would be better off reading it & not listening to it.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just read the summary on Wikipedia

only just over an hour and finishes abruptly. this narrator is not as good as the other one. a bit of wish fulfilment.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

poor narration and dreadful value for money.

the story was as engaging as usual. however the narration was dreadful, rushed and poorly read. Ric Jerom sadly missed. the book cost the same as all the others (all of which I gave 5 stars) but is only less than a quarter of the length. Don't bother with this in audible version.

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