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

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

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!

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.