 First edition | |
| Author | Patrick O'Brian |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Arthur Barbosa |
| Language | English |
| Series | Aubrey-Maturin series |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Collins (UK) |
Publication date | 1984 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) & Audio Book (Cassette, CD) |
| Pages | 366 (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 000222711-8 first edition, hardback |
| OCLC | 31704568 |
| Preceded by | Treason's Harbour |
| Followed by | The Reverse of the Medal |
The Far Side of the World is the tenth historical novel in the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, first published in 1984. The story is set during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812.
The story from Treason's Harbour has several points resolved, as to the success of Maturin's work identifying the French spies, the trap that Aubrey sailed out of but HMS Pollux did not, and Aubrey resolving the tension between him and Lieutenant Fielding, who escaped the worst French prisoner-of-war facility. In Gibraltar, Captain Aubrey receives another mission, to sail HMS Surprise to protect British whalers in the Pacific Ocean from USS Norfolk, for his first voyage around Cape Horn. Dr Maturin has not yet identified the high-level spy who got away. Unaware, he sends the letter to his own wife explaining his protection of the Navy wife via that very villain. The Pacific Ocean is full of wonders, and prizes, once the Jonah is off the ship.
One review considered this and the previous novel, Treason's Harbour, to be one novel in two volumes. O'Brian "writes historical novels without the swashbuckling."[1]