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

We're onto the final leg of the Ionian journey - the true colours of Jack's Turkish allies are finally revealed, which is a setback for Prof Graham. In action off Corfu, the Surprise has a chance of pulling off 'Nelson's Bridge'. Ch 11.

Building towards the culmination of our Ionian story - we learn to admire Turkish manners, and meet an actual pope, not to mention a passing encounter with Cleopatra. Jack reflects on hypocrisy and parenthood. Ch 10.

The actual Ionian Mission is underway! There are political opportunists looking for guns and power - which one to trust? And can Harte even spell Beylik? Stephen takes a swim, and Babbington takes the heat for his charity towards Lesbians. Ch 9.

Jack is back before Admiral Thornton; Stephen has everyone terrified of being castrated by mumps; and the grand oratorio rehearsal survives a big storm. There's a return for the dear Surprise, with news - the French are out! But not before we've talked about Thomas Cochrane. Ch 8.

This week there’s a showdown with Harte, Jack gets re-acquainted with an old friend, and Stephen makes an unwelcome entrance. Plus, there’s espionage ashore, resulting in a surprising encounter in a moonlit French marsh. Ch 7.

We muse on what is and is not poetical, and Stephen misses a rhinoceros and thousands of flamingos. Jack’s cold continues to dog him, and we have the possibility of some unexpected action, usually the perfect thing to set up our hero, Jack Aubrey. Ch 6,7

As Jack, alone aboard the Worcester, explores the mysteries of 'Old Bach', we explore them for ourselves, with the help of our guest, music professor David Curtin. We also uncover old cold remedies, and a new horse metaphor. Ch 6.

We continue with the Ionian Mission; Jack and Stephen encounter trouble with quails - or are they tribbles? Or partridges in pear trees? Meanwhile Lt Somers loses his cool. Ch 4-6.

Jack has been down in the dumps, but a dose of naval discipline and a second pair of stockings seem to be building him back up. Ch 3,4

Jack's weaponry lets him down, and we have a heart-stopping moment of anxiety about Stephen. Puddings then become a major topic of conversation, triced about the larboard gumbrils, naturally. Ch 2,3

We're picking up book 8 in the series, The Ionian Mission. We've a fresh start for Stephen and Diana, a new ship for Jack, and driving lessons for Jagiello. Oh, and lots and lots of Bach. Ch 1,2

Finally we reach the conclusion of book 7 in the series, The Surgeon's Mate. Jack, Stephen and Jagiello break free, but what about Diana? To talk about her, we're joined by author and Villiers superfan Rachel McMillan. Ch 11.

Back ashore for Stephen, Jack and Jagiello - this time as prisoners in the hands of the French authorities. But which authorities? And we seem to be working up towards some kind of culmination, but how is it that Diana's character looms so large over these final chapters? Ch 10,11

This great book builds to the first of its climaxes - we've got literary allusions galore, music, a rousing chorus and of course the Gentlemen's Relish, finishing off with a gripping chase in a storm. Ch 8,9

More adventures aboard the Ariel as we finally reach the Baltic: We meet an admiral who doesn't bear a grudge against Aubrey, and we enjoy honey buzzards and Humbug. Plus a salute to Trafalgar Day. Ch 7,8

Continuing our reading of the Surgeon's Mate, we finally have Jack and Stephen aboard a ship, HMS Ariel, with a new shipmate, Jagiello. There are unfamiliar waterways and curious gifts from the locals - honey buzzards, anyone? Ch 6-7

Jack has his world rocked by a letter from abroad, Stephen and Diana head for a romantic walk by a river, and O'Brian treats us all to classical allusions and French atmosphere. We're joined by our guest Adam Franti to talk about the War of 1812. Ch 5

Back in England, Jack goes looking for a horse, the Aubrey children are on the march, and Stephen goes looking for advice from Sir Joseph Blaine. We find ourselves enjoying a night at the opera. Ch 4.

Our heroes are afloat again, but being chased by an unusually persistent foe - we wonder why, and wonder what will be the turning point to propel the rest of the story of The Surgeon's Mate. We chat to our guest, author Eva Sandor, about POB's writing style and about her new novel Fool's Proof. Ch 3.

We start the next book in the canon with Stephen, Diana and Jack all ashore in Halifax, ready to celebrate. Jack faces a sailor's temptation, while Stephen and Diana face up to each other. Where will it all lead? Will Jack still be able to call himself an officer and a gentleman? Ch 1-2.

We enjoy the final decisive chapter of Fortune of War, with Jack, Steven and Diana back among the Royal Navy and action against the USS Chesapeake about to ensue. How will the British fare this time? And to look forward to The Surgeon's Mate, we're joined by our old friend, dance educator and re-enactor Karen Millyard. Ch 9.

We’re reaching the climax of Fortune of War, and now Patrick O’Brian meets Robert Ludlum as Stephen runs, jumps, climbs, hijacks and fights his way around Boston. Finally, Mike and Ian gamble on a (tiny) innovation - perish the thought. Ch 6-8.

We're back into the story of the 1812 war, ashore in Boston with Stephen, Jack and Diana as they all seem to be reaching a turning point. Amidst all the reconnaissances and alliances, can they rely on each other? Ch 5-6

We heave-to part way through the reading of Fortune of War, to spend time with our special guest Gordon Laco, historical advisor on the movie Master and Commander - Far Side of the World. We talk about realism in historical movies and and delve into some of his personal connection with all things naval.

Jack's journey round the world continues, even though he's not in command of the ship. Life in a lifeboat, and then in a lunatic asylum, leave him depending on Stephen, just like always. Finally, there's the funniest thing since Babbington's farting horse. Ch 3-4.

Jack and Stephen have survived, and found their way from Desolation to civilisation - which in this case means cricket, culture and letters from home. They're in a hurry to get home, as the War of 1812 has broken out - there's not a moment to lose! Ch 1-2

The Leopard is in deep trouble, getting deeper with every page of Desolation Island. We enjoy a 'Santa Claus' moment aboard the Leopard, and welcome our special guest Brian Wilson, podcaster and former intelligence officer, with a personal take on the career and character of Stephen Maturin. Ch 8-9

With gaol fever aboard the Leopard, the discussion turns to disease and death. We uncover a casual exorcism, and stumble across Butch and Sundance, as we revisit the most thrilling chase in the whole series. What odds now on a safe arrival at Botany Bay? Ch 5-7.

Jack's family is growing, but so are his financial commitments; Stephen doubts whether he can ever be truly happy ... sounds like the perfect moment for a new sea voyage to Botany Bay. What can possibly go wrong? (except for spies, stowaways and storms, obviously). Ch 1-4

Ian and Mike bring The Mauritius Command to an end: can Jack fare better without Clonfert, Corbett and Pym? Will he have the wind taken out of his sails by Admiral Bertie? He has Stephen on hand, so maybe it will all be well in the end. Our guest naturalist James Albright talks to us about the scientific world of Dr Maturin. Ch 8-10

The campaign to take Mauritius and La Reunion is underway, but with the French still commanding the odds, and a hurricane brewing. Can Jack muster a coherent campaign with his odd assortment of officers? And what impact can Stephen have ashore? Ch 4-8

Jack is married and settled in his dream cottage with Sophie - but the dream isn't working out perfectly, so a new mission in the Indian ocean has him hurrying to get to sea with Stephen again. Jack struggles to corral a group of fractious captains, and Ian and Mike explore a tenuous link to Star Trek - it's a voyage of discovery for everyone. Ch 1-3

It's been a long journey, but Jack and Stephen are finally headed for home. Before they get there, Jack must face the French, Stephen must face a duel, and they both must face the prospect of rejection. They seek comfort in music (if only we knew WHICH music). And, we get the punchline to the joke 'What do you call a giant tortoise on a remote Indian Ocean island?' Ch 9-11

Steven and Jack are in Bombay, and there are temptations and tragedies at hand. Ian and Mike talk through the emotional depths of O'Brian's great writing, and explore literary references to Dryden and Dostoevsky. Ch 7-8

The Surprise, now a character in her own right, carries Jack and Stephen (and their passengers) through a life-threatening storm. We get assistance in navigating the Southern Ocean from our special guest Tom Horn, creator of the cannonade.net mapping website. Meanwhile, Surprise is carrying Stephen closer to Bombay and to an encounter with Diana. Ch 6

Now cast ashore, Stephen and Jack encounter a shock, a revelation, a bolt from the blue: an auspicious ship to carry them round the world. They meet vampires, rats, albatrosses and of course a sloth - but what has Jack done to earn the friendship of the sloth? I think you know ... Ch 4-5

To look back on the first two books with a fresh perspective, we're joined by our friend Jeremy, who read Master & Commander just to help us out; and we turn the first pages of HMS Surprise, with a trip home for Patrick O'Brian, danger for Stephen in Menorca, and a daring rescue mission by Jack and the crew. Maybe HMS Surprise is the 'Goldilocks' book, in more than one sense ... Ch 1-3

Everything is now in play - lives, careers, relationships, fortunes, all thrown into one great gamble in Jack's expedited cutting-out mission at Chaulieu. Jack and Stephen might get to redeem themselves and each other, but what about Sophie? We talk over the final tense chapters of Post Captain, and (at long last) make a connection with the West Wing - who knew? Ch 11-14

Jack has a ship, Pullings is a lieutenant, but all is still not well ... a dogged and unhappy crew, a fragile friendship, financial hardship, deceptions and dalliances all threaten Jack and Stephen's happiness and safety. As the plot tangles them more and more deeply, an unlikely candidate emerges to cut the knots of jealousy and set them free. Who can it be? Ch 7-9

Jack and Stephen's financial and romantic affairs become increasingly complex, not to mention conflicted. Mike and Ian talk through the emotional and practical consequences, while our special guest, educator and re-enactor Karen Millyard, covers the social side - what was really going on at the Melbury Lodge ball? Ch 5-6

Ian and Mike dive deeper into the Aubrey / Maturin canon, looking at the opening chapters of Post Captain. A whole cast of new female characters, financial setbacks, heartbreak and jealousy, plus of course horses and fart jokes, and a bear called Flora - they're all here. Ch 1-4

Mike and Ian review the second half of Master and Commander. We uncover more 'Russell Crowe alerts', talk about loyalty and love afloat and ashore, and of course we cover the final action-packed chapters of the book - what does the Spanish navy have in store for the Sophie and for the rest of the British fleet? Ch 10-12

Ian & Mike give you a quick welcome to the world of the Lubber's Hole podcast, a journey through the books of Patrick O'Brian. Preparing the way for Episode 1 - there's not a moment to lose!

Welcome to the Lubber's Hole - Ian & Mike get started with Master and Commander, the first in the series. We talk about the origins of the Aubrey/Maturin books, the first encounters between Stephen and Jack, and the emerging story of James Dillon. The first connections emerge between the books and the great Peter Weir movie, and we dodge the subject of goats, sadly. Ch 1-9