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To the Ends of the Earth #1-3

To the Ends of the Earth: A Sea Trilogy

william golding

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To the Ends of the Earth, William Golding's great sea trilogy, presents the extraordinary story of a warship's troubled journey to Australia in the early 1800s. Told through the pages of Edmund Talbolt's journall--with equal measure of wit and disdain--it records the mounting tensions and growing misfortunes aboard the ancient ship. An instant maritime classic, and one of Golding's finest achievements, the trilogy was adapted into a major three-part Mastpiece Theatre drama in 2006.

761 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1991
Series
To the Ends of the Earth

This edition

Format
761 pages, Paperback
Published
October 31, 2006 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN
9780374530914
ASIN
0374530912
Language
English

More editions

About the author

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william golding

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Sir William Gerald Golding was a British novelist, playwright, and poet. Best known for his debut novel Lord of the Flies (1954), he published another twelve volumes of fiction in his lifetime. In 1980, he was awarded the Booker Prize for Rites of Passage, the first novel in what became his sea trilogy, To the Ends of the Earth. He was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Literature.
As a result of his contributions to literature, Golding was knighted in 1988. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 2008, The Times ranked Golding third on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.3 / 5.0, 46 votes)
5 stars
20(43%)
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19(41%)
3 stars
7(15%)
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46 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Brittanymariew
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Superb!

Although for me, Rites Of Passage was by far the best among the three. Close Quarters and Fire Down Below were also good, to be sure. However, perhaps they were not quite up to the same excellent standard as Rites. The storylines in Close Quarters and Fire Down Below had their own charms and excitement, but Rites Of Passage had that extra something that made it truly stand out.

Overall, though, this trilogy immerses the reader in a believable, living world of adventure on the high seas. The descriptions of the ships, the ocean, and the characters' experiences are so vivid that one can almost feel the salt spray on one's face and hear the creaking of the masts. It is a world full of danger, excitement, and romance, and it draws the reader in and keeps them hooked from beginning to end.

This trilogy is definitely worth reading at least once. It offers a unique and engaging adventure that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, nautical adventures, and exciting stories in general. Whether you are a seasoned reader or just looking for a good book to pass the time, this trilogy is sure to provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment.
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ddaruu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Having read the 3 part series before, I can only offer my apology for rereading it now that it has been published as a collection. Golding has incorporated some corrections in the Forward pages. Most of them are extremely minor, but there are two rather significant errors. Even though it is truly historical fiction, it adheres to Cook's real circumnavigation with remarkable accuracy. It is good enough to be read twice!


I have completed the first segment, Rites of Passage. I find the writing to be somewhat of a challenge as my skills in selecting an effective means of expressing my thoughts pose a bit of a hurdle. However, the pleasure of reading the work of such a highly skilled writer far outweighs the difficulties. The journal being written by Edmond Talbot is being recorded at the behest of his Uncle, who is an English Lord. Consequently, his views are rather restricted as he endeavors to write what he believes his Uncle anticipates hearing. Nevertheless, the experiences of a young, well-educated man in a situation about which he knows very little impart an interesting twist to the story, even in the absence of extensive exciting events. Now I am moving on to the second book, Close Quarters, which is written not for his uncle but for himself. We will learn more about his personal ideas and attitudes, and more excitement is on the horizon.

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unebun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Just not my cup of tea.

This simple expression holds a world of meaning. It implies that something doesn't appeal to us, doesn't match our tastes or interests.

It could refer to a particular activity, like playing a certain sport or engaging in a specific hobby. Maybe we tried it once and just didn't find it enjoyable.

It could also apply to food or drink. We all have our preferences, and when something doesn't meet our expectations in that regard, we might say it's not our cup of tea.

In a social context, it could mean that we don't click with a particular person or group. Their personalities or ways of doing things might not mesh with ours.

Whatever the case may be, "just not my cup of tea" is a convenient way to express our lack of interest or preference in a particular thing. It allows us to be honest about our feelings without being overly critical or judgmental.

After all, everyone has their own unique tastes and interests, and that's what makes the world such a diverse and interesting place.
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Candy_v02
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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It is, of course, an absolute impossibility to surpass Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey Maturin books when it comes to the excellence of high seas adventures. In fact, I have always held the firm belief that they could not even be equalled. That was until I had the pleasure of reading the To the Ends of the Earth trilogy, which consists of Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, and Fire Down Below.


To be sure, these books do lack the immediacy that O'Brian so masterfully achieved. There is that sense with O'Brian that he was actually present aboard the vessels he so vividly describes, that he knew the men who crewed them intimately, as if he was writing from first-hand knowledge of life aboard ship during the Napoleonic era. Golding's descriptions, while well-informed and effective, are perhaps just a touch vaguer than O'Brian's. However, they are also subtler. His focus lies on the passengers, both the wealthy landlubbers and the poor emigrants making their way to Australia, and their interactions with the war-weary crew, with each other, and, of course, with the vast and powerful ocean. Additionally, Golding is more willing to explore the less savory aspects of ship life, delving deeper than O'Brian usually preferred, and shining a light on humanity's darker side, as one might expect from the author of Lord of the Flies.


The language, characterisation, and plotting in these novels are all of the highest caliber. I found myself completely engrossed and tore through all three novels in just a week. I cannot recommend this trilogy highly enough.
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Japfreak
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I confess that I watched the TV miniseries version before delving into the books. However, this can be blamed on Benedict Cumberbatch.

Anyway, I had a decent liking for the miniseries, but it gave me the impression that I might have an even greater affinity for the books. And indeed I did, despite the fact that I'm not an ardent fan of William Golding - here's another confession.

All the elements and themes that have made "Lord of the Flies" a classic in school curricula are also present in "To The Ends of The Earth", only in a better form. The characters are more complex, the plot more engaging, and the exploration of human nature deeper. It's a literary gem that truly deserves to be read and studied.

Overall, I'm glad I took the time to read these books and discover the wonderful world that exists within their pages.
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zombiesonacid
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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A year-long voyage from England to the antipodes (Australia colony) aboard an old, barely sea-worthy English warship in the early 19th century was an arduous and perilous adventure.

It could almost be likened to traveling from Earth to Mars today. This was not a typical trilogy in the style of Horatio Hornblower. Instead, it was a journey where simply traveling around the world was an achievement in itself.

William Golding masterfully describes this voyage in his trilogy. Through the diary of Edmond Talbot, a twenty-something-year-old passenger, we are privy to the characters, the sailing of the ship, and the vastness of the sea. Edmond writes to his godfather and later, as the journey progresses, he writes just to himself and, perhaps, to posterity.

The first novel in the trilogy centers on the social mistreatment of a clergyman on board the ship. The other two novels focus on the budding romance between Edmond and a young woman he meets when they encounter another sailing ship in the middle of the ocean.

While I think the novels could have been more concise, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the humor, the complex relationships between the characters, and Golding's thinly disguised commentary on society both then and now. It is a captivating exploration of a bygone era and a timeless examination of the human condition.
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_saturnine
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Close Quarters was the weakest of the three.

It earns itself a 4 mainly because of its breadth. It covers three novels, and each of them has a slightly different first-person narrative strategy. This difference in narrative tactics reflects the growth of the callow Edmond Talbot.

The first novel may present Edmond Talbot in a rather naïve and inexperienced light, with his thoughts and actions being somewhat impulsive and lacking in depth.

As the story progresses in the second novel, we can start to see some changes in him. He may begin to have a better understanding of the world around him and the people in it.

By the time we reach the third novel, Edmond Talbot has matured significantly. His narrative becomes more thoughtful and perceptive, showing how much he has grown and developed throughout the course of the three novels.

Overall, while Close Quarters may not be as strong as the other two in some aspects, its exploration of Edmond Talbot's growth through the use of different narrative tactics makes it a worthwhile read.
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JunichirouKagami
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Currently reading...

I picked it up in Germany. It was one of the only books printed in English that wasn't rubbish.

This book has truly captured my attention. The moment I laid my eyes on it in that German bookstore, I knew it was something special.

Unlike many other English books I've come across there, which were often of poor quality or uninteresting, this one stood out.

The story is engaging, the writing style is captivating, and it keeps me turning the pages with anticipation.

I'm so glad I found this gem during my time in Germany. It has become a wonderful companion on my reading journey.

As I continue to read, I can't wait to see what further adventures and revelations this book has in store for me.

It's a testament to the fact that sometimes, even in the most unexpected places, you can discover a literary treasure.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read in English.

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