The Lubber’s Hole - A Patrick O’Brian Podcast
Episodes
Episode 39 - The Ionian Mission (Part 7)
10 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 espion...
Episode 38 -The Ionian Mission (Part 6)
03 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Episode 37 - The Ionian Mission (Part 5); David Curtin
27 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 36 -The Ionian Mission (Part 4)
20 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We continue with the Ionian Mission; Jack and Stephen encounter trouble with quails - or are they tribbles? Or partridges in pear trees? Meanwhile Lt ...
Episode 35 - The Ionian Mission (Part 3)
13 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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
Episode 34 - The Ionian Mission (Part 2)
06 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, tri...
Episode 33 - The Ionian Mission (Part 1)
29 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jag...
Episode 32 - The Surgeon's Mate (final part); Rachel McMillan
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ab...
Episode 31 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 8)
15 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 30 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 7)
08 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Relis...
Episode 29 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 6)
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 buzza...
Episode 28 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 5)
25 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 unfa...
Episode 27 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 4); Adam Franti
18 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 allus...
Episode 26 - The Surgeon’s Mate (Part 3)
11 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Episode 25 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 2); Eva Sandor
04 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 24 - The Surgeon's Mate (Part 1)
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 23 - The Fortune of War (Final Part); Karen Millyard
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
Episode 22 - The Fortune of War (Part 4)
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 wa...
Episode 21 - The Fortune of War (Part 3)
06 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Episode 20 - Gordon Laco
30 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Episode 19 - The Fortune of War (Part 2)
23 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 dep...
Episode 18 - The Fortune of War (Part 1)
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jack and Stephen have survived, and found their way from Desolation to civilisation - which in this case means cricket, culture and letters from home....
Episode 17 - Desolation Island (Final Part); Brian Wilson
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 16 - Desolation Island (Part 2)
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With gaol fever aboard the Leopard, the discussion turns to disease and death. We uncover a casual exorcism, and stumble across Butch and Sundance, ...
Episode 15 - Desolation Island (Part 1)
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Episode 14 - The Mauritius Command (Final Part); James Albright
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Episode 13 - The Mauritius Command (Part 2)
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 12 - The Mauritius Command (Part 1)
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 11 - HMS Surprise (Final Part)
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 du...
Episode 10 - HMS Surprise (Part 4)
20 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 wr...
Episode 9 - HMS Surprise (Part 3); Tom Horn
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Surprise, now a character in her own right, carries Jack and Stephen (and their passengers) through a life-threatening storm. We get assistance ...
Episode 8 - HMS Surprise (Part 2)
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 v...
Episode 7 - HMS Surprise (Part 1); Jeremy Raymond
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 6 - Post Captain (Final Part)
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everything is now in play - lives, careers, relationships, fortunes, all thrown into one great gamble in Jack's expedited cutting-out mission at Chaul...
Episode 5 - Post Captain (Part 3)
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jack has a ship, Pullings is a lieutenant, but all is still not well ... a dogged and unhappy crew, a fragile friendship, financial hardship, deceptio...
Episode 4 - Post Captain (Part 2); Karen Millyard
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jack and Stephen's financial and romantic affairs become increasingly complex, not to mention conflicted. Mike and Ian talk through the emotional an...
Episode 3 - Post Captain (Part 1)
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, fi...
Episode 2 - Master and Commander (Final Part)
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Teaser
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 - Master and Commander (Part 1)
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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/Ma...