DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Far Side of the World

A gripping naval adventure in the Great South Sea

Patrick O’Brian author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Published:6th May '97

Should be back in stock very soon

The Far Side of the World cover

In this thrilling naval adventure, Captain Jack Aubrey must stop an enemy frigate from disrupting British whaling trade, facing numerous challenges along the way.

In The Far Side of the World, Captain Jack Aubrey faces a formidable challenge as an enemy frigate threatens the crucial British whaling trade. With the stakes high, he and his loyal crew embark on a perilous journey to intercept the USS Norfolk, which is making its way around Cape Horn. This mission is not just about stopping the enemy; it's about safeguarding a vital economic lifeline for Britain. As they navigate the treacherous waters of the Great South Sea, the crew must confront not only the enemy but also the unpredictable forces of nature.

As the adventure unfolds, Captain Aubrey and his men encounter a series of harrowing events that test their resolve and camaraderie. From the breathtaking natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands to the dangers of typhoons and shipwrecks, every moment is fraught with tension. The crew faces numerous challenges, including men going overboard, castaways, and even the darker elements of human nature, such as murder and insanity. Each obstacle serves to heighten the drama and deepen the reader's engagement with the characters.

Ultimately, The Far Side of the World is a gripping tale of bravery and perseverance. It raises the question of whether Captain Aubrey and his crew can outsmart their American adversaries and emerge victorious against overwhelming odds. With masterful storytelling and rich historical detail, this novel invites readers to experience the thrill of naval warfare and the bonds of friendship forged in the heat of battle.

‘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

  • Winner of Heywood Hill Literary Prize 1995

ISBN: 9780006499251

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 25mm

Weight: 280g

400 pages