The Golden OceanThe Golden Ocean is the first novel Patrick OBrian ever wrote about the sea. The novel shares the same sense of excitement and the rich humour of the Aubrey Maturin novels, invoking the eloquent style and attention to historical detail that OBrian readers admire so much. The protagonist of this story is Peter Palafox, son of a poor Irish parson, who signs on as a midshipman, never before having seen a ship. He is a fellow who would have delighted the