The Nutmeg of Consolation Audiobook By Patrick O'Brian cover art

The Nutmeg of Consolation

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 14

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The Nutmeg of Consolation

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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When last seen, Jack and Stephen had been shipwrecked on a desert island in the glittering South China Sea. The Nutmeg of Consolation opens as the castaways fashion a makeshift vessel from the wreckage, only to have it destroyed in a fiery attack by Malay pirates. Only the wondrous ingenuity of Stephen, along with the unexpected appearance of one of Jack's oldest allies, leads them to escape, and to dubious safety in a penal colony at New South Wales.The fourteenth installment of Patrick O'Brian's hugely successful Aubrey/Maturin series.Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.©1991 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sea Adventures Adventure Pirate

Critic reviews

"What Mr. O'Brian has created is no less than a tapestry of English life in the early 19th century that is almost Dickensian in its scope." (New York Observer)

Captivating Adventure • Vivid Descriptions • Brilliant Voice Acting • Historical Authenticity • Character Development
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Another great story. Love the the adventures of these two. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Another great one

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Love the historical background and the story. O’Brien is unmatched as a storyteller. His characters are fascinating.

The tales and the history

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If you could sum up The Nutmeg of Consolation in three words, what would they be?

history, drama, tenderness

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

Superb as always

Any additional comments?

One is better off by starting the series from the beginning!

You never want it to be over!!!

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Brilliant weave of historical content, amazing botanical encounters and naval culture and times. Patrick Tull is the BEST reader/actor. Far better than anyone else. This series is something to treasure...on to Book 15.

outstanding treasure

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The south sea adventure continues where it left off after the Thirteen gun salute. you'll not be disappointed!

More adventure!

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“I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them - I look upon good novels - as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer constraints.”
― Patrick O'Brian, The Nutmeg of Consolation

For action, this book is a bit light. There is a bit of fighting when the crew of the shipwrecked HMS Diane are trying to building a schooner. Tobacco and alcohol might soon run out and the ship is nearing St. Famine's day (not marked by a famine of food, but smokes and booze). Things might get rough. After losing a few members heading off an attack of some local pirates, they eventually chase down a French ship. I won't give those details away. However, after that, the book ends up in Australia (New South Wales) where Dr. Maturin contemplates happiness, money, family and addition. He also confronts the harsh conditions in New South Wales, where everything has been degraded by the penal colony economy.

It might have been a 3-star (the first?) book, if not for the beautiful musings of Stephen throughout. I really do love these novels.

I read novels with the utmost pertinacity.

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The Nutmeg of Consolation has it all - beautiful locations, vicious action, detailed naval life, all stunningly well read. I recommend it ardently.

Best in the series?

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Patrick O'Brian's books come to life under the brilliant voice acting of Patrick Tull. He is hands down one of the best voice actors I have ever heard.

Patrick Tull is amazing.

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Many people read this series of novels over and over again and I certainly understand why. By all means, start at the beginning so you understand the relationships of the characters. You could read this and use O'Brian's excellent exposition to bring you up to speed, but you would miss the long character development arc of Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturing and the other folks we know and love in these books. Check out the companion podcast, "The Lubber's Hole: A Patrick O'Brian Podcast" as you make your way through the canon.

Jane Austen at Sea

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This is a classic from a tremendous author
Totally engrossing world and characters history fiction at its best

Awesome

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