Patrick O'Brian · 1984 · sea
The tenth novel, which lent its name to the film, sends the beloved Surprise on a great chase across the world. Detached from the Mediterranean, Jack is ordered to pursue the American frigate Norfolk, which is destroying British whalers in the Pacific. This route follows the Surprise across the Atlantic, around the storms of Cape Horn into the South Sea, and on through the Galapagos toward an uncharted island where the long hunt reaches its strange and bloody end.
- 1Gibraltar
Ordered away from the Mediterranean fleet, Jack takes the Surprise out past Gibraltar and into the Atlantic on a chase that will carry him halfway round the world. The American frigate Norfolk is loose in the Pacific, burning the British whaling fleet, and the Surprise is sent alone to hunt her down.
- 2Off Brazil
Across the Atlantic the Surprise drives south, through calms and the long swell of the doldrums, touching the coast of Brazil for water and provisions before the great trial ahead. Stephen botanises ashore while Jack frets at every day the Norfolk gains on him.
- 3Cape Horn
At the bottom of the world the Surprise battles round Cape Horn, into the realm of mountainous grey seas and shrieking westerly gales where so many ships have been lost. It is a passage of sheer endurance, the little frigate fighting for every mile of westing into the Pacific.
- 4Galapagos
In the Pacific the chase leads at last to the Galapagos, the strange enchanted islands of giant tortoises and fearless birds, where the Norfolk has been preying on the whalers among the volcanic shores. Here the hunter draws close to the hunted, both far from any friendly port.
- 5South Pacific
Far out in the empty South Pacific the long pursuit comes to its climax, both frigates battered by storm and battle and cast away near an uncharted island, where the rivalry of nations dwindles to men struggling to survive. It is among the most haunting and strange of all Jack and Stephen's adventures.