The Sea-Witch


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.9 stars; 16 reviews)

The Sea-Witch by Maturin Murray Ballou invites listeners into a world of adventure and romance on the high seas. This nautical tale follows the journey of a ship and its crew as they navigate the challenges of the ocean, encountering both peril and passion along the way.

Set against the backdrop of the 19th-century maritime world, Ballou's narrative weaves together themes of exploration, love, and the mysteries of the sea. With his own experiences as a sailor, the author brings authenticity to the story, capturing the essence of life aboard a ship and the allure of the unknown.

As the characters face storms, rivalries, and the enchanting pull of the ocean, The Sea-Witch stands out for its vivid descriptions and rich storytelling. This audiobook offers a glimpse into the romanticized life of sailors and the adventures that await them beyond the horizon.

Chapters

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Preface 1:22 Read by woggy298
Outward Bound 11:30 Read by woggy298
Captain Will Ratlin 13:25 Read by woggy298
The Gale 10:08 Read by woggy298
Bramble Park 14:52 Read by woggy298
The Naval Officer 15:27 Read by woggy298
The Wreck 16:06 Read by woggy298
The Sea-Witch 14:25 Read by woggy298
The Quadroon 15:48 Read by woggy298
The Attack 16:00 Read by woggy298
The Duel 15:16 Read by woggy298
The Hues of Love 15:19 Read by Todd Lennon
The Conflict 15:47 Read by Todd Lennon
The Trial 11:53 Read by Caryn Salamy
The Brothers 16:04 Read by Elliott Miller
The Escape 15:18 Read by Elliott Miller
The Cannibals 16:16 Read by Elliott Miller
The Poisoned Barb 15:48 Read by Elliott Miller
The Denouement 10:44 Read by Elliott Miller

Reviews

LOVED IT


(5 stars)

I loved this, but anything about the sea is my cup of nautical tea!

Bad Book can't be helped


(2 stars)

Book Stars = 2 (generous at that) Readers Stars = 3 (ranging from 2 to 5) Technical Stars = 3 (the usual overmic’d “S” hiss and other noises) Ballou spewed out 18 novels from 1845-50. You've heard nothing of his other 17 and the world would be better had not this one inexplicably endured. This book shows that his approach was volume with tabloid quality. Thin, linear plot, flat characters, little detail of interest; it's a bad B-movie script. Two brothers (one good, the other evil), two young women (one white, rich and sappily pure; the other mixed-race, vengeful, evil). The dialog and pretense are quintessential Victorian “crud”. It is obliviously racist and imperialist. I won't "ruin" the story for you but don't expect literature or interest. To all readers: Thank you for volunteering. I say this in support of your efforts. Because the words are provided you, it is natural for you to concentrate on your style of delivery rather than vocabulary. However, the Librivox system requires you to self-edit, which is difficult but essential. Your effort's quality can be greatly improved with just a few minutes of online pronunciation checking. In this ensemble reading, we have errors in, for example, "ascertain", "tryst", "draught", and several more 9th grade words, as well as in nautical words forecastle, bows, mainsail, topsail, staysail, foresail, and topgallant.