The Caine Mutiny

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Having inspired a classic film and Broadway play, The Caine Mutiny is Herman Wouk's boldly dramatic, brilliantly entertaining novel of life—and mutiny—on a Navy warship in the Pacific theater. It was immediately embraced upon its original publication as one of the first serious works of American fiction to grapple with the moral complexities and the human consequences of the Second World War. In the intervening half century, this gripping story has become a perennial favorite, selling millions throughout the world, and claiming the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

©1952 Herman Wouk (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

The finest of the finest

Most probably the best narration I have ever had the chance to experience. Of one of the greatest novels ever written.

Very good, but dated and long-winded

The good:

This is a captivating tale that gripped me immediately. I lost sleep the first night I started listening to it because I simply could not pull my self away.

The bad:

I'm not afraid of a long book, but this book spends a lot of time on mundane things, while racing through moments of high drama and intrigue. I could have used more courtroom drama, and a lot less "romance", if that's what we're calling it.

The dated:

My main gripe with the story is the protagonist's romantic relationship. Maybe at the time this courtship was an appealing story, but through modern eyes, all I see is a stuck-up elitist abusing a girl with no spine or self-respect.

Great Listen (In spite of the Pulitzer)

I probably should admit that I tend to avoid recent Pulitzer-prize winning 'novels. For a while, at least. It's as if the Pulitzer committee finds books 'With an Important Message' that 'Should Make You Think' and is 'Designed to Make You Talk' and selects those, even though the story itself may be slim.

"The Caine Mutiny" won the Pulitzer in 1952. It may do all three of those things, but it isn't slim on the story - it's quite long and involved.

I had already read Wouk's "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance", and really liked how his characters were developed. Willie Keith, the main character in "The Caine Mutiny", is grows and changes throughout the novel. Personally, as a former member of the military, I felt myself wanting to slap Keith upside the head at the beginning of the novel, to try and knock some sense into him. By the end of the novel, I still wanted to do that - and I also wanted to shake him and ask him if he hadn't learned anything at all, and to tell him there was something he wanted that he did not deserve. Of course, just because I never liked the main character didn't mean I didn't want to read the book.

The supporting characters were quite interesting. Queeg, the commander who was the subject of the mutiny, was a fascinating study in the 'Peter principal' accompanied with a complete lack of personal responsibility.

Pariseau is a great performer, and perfect for Wouk's books.

Wow!!! What a GREAT book!!!

Would you listen to The Caine Mutiny again? Why?

I will be listening again soon

What did you like best about this story?

I loved everything about this story

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pariseau’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to Kevin Pariseau before, but he was great!!

Any additional comments?

I have seen the movie several times and was hesitant to listen to this book. However i went on a journey i never expected. I didn't want it to end!!!

This literature

Where does The Caine Mutiny rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is real American literature to me. I have learned a lot.

What did you like best about this story?

Portrait of characters

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to pick one scene, all of them where so well painted?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many times I was moved, it was real journey in time with the main character.

Any additional comments?

Great book worth listening. Great performance of narrator.

A great book now off my bucket list!

Brilliant narrator. Enjoyed this very much...wanted to read it for many years and it didn’t disappoint.

Terrific Story, well written and executed

Would you listen to The Caine Mutiny again? Why?

Definitely, you get more each time you listen. The interaction of the principal characters develops more and more with each listening. So much is brought forward to remind you of your youth and you can identify with the principal character Willy and the rest of the cast.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development is great. You get to see how you cannot trust your instincts all the time. You see the good and the bad in people. I also saw the movie and you might see it first and then listen to the book. The characters in the movie mimic the book a great deal. Really makes them come alive when you can add the character development of the book after seeing them in the movie.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Pariseau – was your favorite?

Actually two, Willy and Steve.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A film was made and I believe awards were given.

Any additional comments?

It was just a very good book depicting the good and not so good about our Navy during a very stressful time. Points out how power can be misused in our system.

Glad I finally got to this classic!

Excellent view into the lives of a group of sailors who were at the periphery of WW II but suffered through the same growing pains as those who were in the thick of things. Fascinating look at the personalities that clashed and meshed as a result of a captain's increasingly bizarre behavior. I was riveted.

So much more than the movie.

Great book. I have seen the movie twice. Glad to finally have read the book.

Good listen

Classic novel set to audio with the great story telling ability of the narrator. I would recommend this to any one.