The Lubber’s Hole - A Patrick O’Brian Podcast

 Jack and Stephen get some help from their friends, Stephen navigates the highs and lows of London street life, and we discover what's been happening to Diana Villiers.  To cap it all, Stephen and Jack are persuaded that the best place for them is at sea.

Desolation Island opens with bucolic absurdity - we’ve got Jack Aubrey on ‘Fiddler’s Green’, Stephen dissecting a fresh cadaver's hands before dinner, a catastrophic get-rich-quick scheme, and Jane Austen-style fibbing from almost everyone. Grab a glass of port and mind your poke—we're getting the band back together.

The pieces fall into place for the final stages of the invasion of Mauritius - we find out how that’s all going to play out! Plus resolution for Stephen, a boiled baby for Tom Pullings, grief and anger for McAdam, un-earned glory for Admiral Bertie, and a delightful piece of news from home for Jack Aubrey.

After flexing his brain surgery skills, Stephen is off to subvert the catholics of Mauritius, but gets a nasty dunking. Jack Aubrey has a chance to take on Commodore Hamelin on equal terms.

They're all at it: Jack Aubrey summons his resilience, Tom Pullings summons himself, and fate summons a familiar captain back to the waters off Mauritius.  We’re going to have cat-and-mouse pursuits, false dawns, anti-climaxes and yet another blood-soaked action at sea, with a hidden clue as to the fate awaiting one of our main characters.

We step into O'Brian's re-telling of the Battle of Grand Port, the only major French naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars, and one of the most devastating, catastrophic reversals in the entire Aubrey-Maturin canon. For one of our characters in particular, it’s going to be a life-changing event.

We're taking a break from The Mauritius Command to bring you a guest interview with Antonia Senior. Antonia is a book critic at The Times, as well as a writer, podcaster and journalist. But before she was any of those things, she was a Patrick O’Brian fan, and we had a great time talking to her about historical fiction, what makes O'Brian such a standout, and which other authors come close. With a...

After the hurricane, we meet human frailty, dockyard corruption, rain-soaked letters from home, and an unborn porcupine. Our heroes debate the value of a human life, with a Tory and a Radical managing not to fall out. Finally, as the invasion of La Réunion begins, lives are saved by the Voltairean Stephen Maturin.

Stephen and Jack are ashore again at the cape, ready to spend the British king’s gold on mercenaries and propaganda; Killick is anxious about meeting the ghost in the bread-room; Clonfert's fakery continues to be an issue; and all creatures, great and small, are at risk from some stormy weather.

Stephen prepares to play his part in Jack’s Mauritius mission.  We have reflections on natural philosophy, a covert mission ashore, and co-operation with the Army in the first action of the campaign - but will it be a success for all concerned? Plus - more parrot revelations.

We arrive at the Cape of Good Hope, receive Jack's true orders, and witness the immediate elevation—and corresponding pressure—that comes with the new post of Commodore Aubrey.  Meanwhile there's a surprise reunion with a couple of old Jack Aubrey followers, and a protestant parrot.

Jack Aubrey is back where he belongs: in command at sea. He’s dealing with complexities of the quarterdeck, though he hasn't escaped his troubles entirely! We have a new ship, a new crew and an early prize. Not to mention a tone-deaf guest to be tolerated in the captain’s cabin.

In Chapter 1 of The Mauritius Command, Jack Aubrey comes to terms with domesticated life ashore on half-pay. He’s beset by caterpillars, wax-moths, a barren cow, daughters and a shrewish mother-in-law - not quite the life he imagined. An old friend visits with surprising news, and a lady begging a lift gets the Sophie treatment. Plus two old landlubber friends dust off their former identities and...

A special announcement from Ian & Mike about our plans to re-launch the Lubber's Hole.  Merry Christmas!  

We reach the end of our voyage, but before we get there we'll meet old friends, deal with friction in the younger generation, and encounter a familiar kind of personal jeopardy for Stephen. After that, all that's left to say is 'thank you' and 'until the next time'.

Episode 220 is out today - dedicated to our interview with POB biographer Dean King. Discover the story of Dean’s journey to discover more of the real world story behind O’Brian’s genius.

We're still riding along on Anson's famous journey - this time from the viewpoint of the Wager, a ship that was lost fairly early in the last book. The two main characters of The Unknown Shore promise to please Aubrey-Maturin fans even more!

We explore the first of two POB books that could be said to be ‘pre-cursors' to the Aubrey-Maturin canon - The Golden Ocean.  Midshipmen, rats, storms, friendships, Irish back-story, shipwreck, disease and action - there’s a lot here to please an Aubrey-Maturin fan!

We're exploring the world of Jane Austen this week, reacting to the 1995 film adaptation of her novel Persuasion. With naval officers, snobbery, hunting, dinners and thwarted love, it might seem familiar ...

Jack and Stephen, homeward bound, head for Madeira to pick up their loves, and maybe a prize. Stephen attempts to recover from his wound, as he and Diana decide where to go from here.  With all the surprises in this final chapter, is there a straight path ahead to paradise? Ch 11.

In Calcutta, Jack is drowning in good wishes but still short of a dowry for Sophie. Canning acts like Jack's good friend, despite their history. Stephen calls on Diana for an answer to his marriage proposal, and things take a dramatic turn in the Indian heat. Ch 10.

Linois's squadron returns, and Jack's battle plans are tested, as he fights the Surprise with most of his officers and many of his gunners loaned out. Success may depend on the Surprise sacrificing herself, and we end with  Dryden's poetry and Stephen's commentary ringing in our ears.  Ch 9 Part 2.

The Surprise catches the China Fleet - which delights everyone but Stephen. Later, Surprise sees a less hospitable squadron. Jack rises to the occasion, balancing his desire for glory and action against his duty. Stephen provides a commentary on the human race as Jack falls asleep, and we wait for morning. Ch 9 Part 1.

This week we’re reposting our Crossing The Line special about children as characters in the O’Brian canon. Special thanks to our friend Steve Morris for joining the conversation. Back to HMS Surprise next week!

Surprise and her new first Lt sail for Kampong. We dip into Protestant theology, spy possible action from the Lubber’s Hole, see a relic of Jack's youth and deal with the envoy's health - punctuated by classical literature, blue water sailing, optimism and reality. Ch 8.