HMS Ulysses Audiobook By Alistair MacLean cover art

HMS Ulysses

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HMS Ulysses

By: Alistair MacLean
Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
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The novel that launched the astonishing career of one of the 20th century’s greatest writers of action and suspense – an acclaimed classic of heroism and the sea in World War II.

Constant patrols have pushed the crew of the HMS Ulysses beyond the limits of endurance. And now they must be put to sea again, to escort a vital supply convoy heading for Murmansk.

As they head deep into the frozen waters they are faced not only with the fierce arctic weather, but a swarm of airborne attacks, German ships, then the feared U-boats, all hellbent on destroying the convoy.

With each day threatening another sudden attack, and increasing hardships aboard the frozen ship, Ulysses suffers greater damage trying to protect the other vessels. And soon the journey becomes a tense and deadly game of cat and mouse between the crippled cruiser and her silent pursuers.

©1955 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Action & Adventure Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Sea Adventures Suspense Thriller & Suspense War & Military Adventure

Critic reviews

‘A brilliant, overwhelming piece of descriptive writing.’
Observer

‘A story of exceptional courage which grips the imagination.’
Daily Telegraph

‘It deserves an honourable place among 20th-century war books.’
Daily Mail

‘HMS Ulysses is in the same class as The Cruel Sea.’
Evening Standard
Compelling Narrative • Pulse-pounding Scenes • Harrowing Environment • Unrelenting Tension • Captivating Performance
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Alistair Maclean is the best author ever.
Jonathan Oliver is the very best narrator ever.
Perfection!

Perfection

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I wanted to enjoy this book. I was looking forward to a thriller about the arctic convoys in WWII, which is a subject I'm somewhat knowledgeable about. Almost from the beginning though the story of HMS Ulysses felt not real. A mutiny on a Royal Navy cruiser during the war? Everyone involved would have been severely punished.

I don't want to give any spoilers which makes describing the rest of the book difficult. However, readers will probably realize that HMS Ulysses falls into the "everybody dies" category. As soon as you develop an affinity with a character, the story line changes. Perhaps that is the reason that this book was never filmed.

Even a plot like that might not be a big obstacle, but the events described during the escorting mission are far worse than anything experienced in reality by a convoy, even PQ-17 which was almost entirely destroyed. The characters are never more than caricatures. One doesn't get to know the eventual survivors in any detail.

Suspenseful but bleak and unrealistic

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This narrator will grow on you, trust me. Brilliant book. This week flew under the radar for decades. A close story to PQ17, the real convoy of note.

Fantastic!

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One of the most heartbreaking, saddest books I've ever read. The novel has stuck with me for over 50 years, reading it first at the age of 15 and now as an audiobook. I am fascinated by the nature of leadership, heroism, and our human response to extreme physical and psychological environments. Amundsen, Shackleton, and Bligh come to mind in listening to MacLean's imaginary Captain Vallery of the HMS Ulysses.

Amazing but heartbreaking and sad.

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One of the rare instances where the narrator is better than the story. I found myself thinking of my English teacher’s distinction between “pathos” & “bathos” @ points in this story when hey, it wasn’t bad enough, the author threw something else in. So while it was good it wasn’t great.

Great Narrator

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I've always loved Alistair MacLean's writing but this was the first time I'd read/.listened to HMS Ulysses. It was fantastic! The reader too, was great, as he switched accents very subtly to differentiate the characters. What a great story

Oh wow

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Maclean’s writing made me thankful that I live in a warm country at peace. A heroic tale.

Men pushed to the brink

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I have listened and read many of Alistair MacLean’s books and this one tops it for character development set in a harrowing environment and time in history. Worth every second listening.

Riveting

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You can visualize yourself on the bridge, in the icy North Atlantic, in the minds of the characters. Awesome book and great reading. The way it’s read it almost sounds like a one man play.

Fantastic narration

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I read this book back in 1985 and remembered liking it. I was a big MacLean fan back in those days. This book didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed it and particularly think the narration was excellent. Highly recommended.

Strong Book, Excellent Narration

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