An excellent 1978 recording of Monsarrat’s novel, which was based on his own experiences in the Royal Navy during WWII. The Cruel Sea recreates the theatre of war in the North Atlantic – convoys, U-Boats, etc. But the joy of it – brilliantly evoked by Powell – lies in the main characters: Lt Cdr Ericson, Sub Lts Lockhart and Ferraby – and the truly appalling 1st Lt Bennett.