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The Nutmeg of Consolation

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 14

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The Nutmeg of Consolation

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

Shipwrecked on a remote island in the Dutch East Indies, Captain Aubrey, surgeon and secret intelligence agent Stephen Maturin, and the crew of the Diane fashion a schooner from the wreck.

A vicious attack by Malay pirates is repulsed, but the makeshift vessel burns, and they are truly marooned. Their escape from this predicament is one that only the whimsy and ingenuity of Patrick O Brian or Stephen Maturin could devise. In command now of a new ship, the Nutmeg, Aubrey pursues his interrupted mission.

The dreadful penal colony in New South Wales, harrowingly described, is the backdrop to a diplomatic crisis provoked by Maturin s Irish temper, and to a near-fatal encounter with the wildlife of the Australian outback.

©1989 The Estate of the late Patrick O'Brian CBE (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Fiction Historical Fiction Feel-Good Pirate
All stars
Most relevant
Ric Jerrom's narration is right up there with Patrick Tull. Outstanding and very enjoyable.

Another brilliant episode on this saga.

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Another fantastic instalment. I am constantly amazed at how POB manages to make these wild adventures, and back breaking labour, seem completely plausible but also exciting and inspiring.

It was hard to listen to many parts of this story as a white Australian, however. Our horrendous colonial history - and the systems that still remain today - is enough to depress anyone with a shred of conscience. Also, the mention of Woollarawarre Bennelong (the first indigenous Australian man to travel to Europe and return) as a mere boomerang thrower for tots of rum seemed disingenuous. I wonder if POB used his name on purpose in reference to the historical figure, though I hope not.

Hard to listen to as a white Australian

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a whimsical tour de force through the south pacific with all the elements that make this author so beloved

Brilliant O'Brian at his best.

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The main characters and the naval details continue to appeal greatly to me. The narration remains excellent and Jerrom's command of accents works very well for me.

I enjoy this series immensely

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glad this book explored Sydney and surrounds where the earlier voyage on the Leopard didn't give us any details.

great tale including the antipodes

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Another outstanding book! Wonderfully read! This is a wonderful series that keeps giving excitement and surprises!

Even better than the last!

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Nutmeg of Consolation to be better than the print version?

In some ways yeas, I read these books 20 years agao and its like rediscovering them again

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack AUBRY, real character

What about Ric Jerrom’s performance did you like?

excellent, made me wish I dscovered Audible Books years ago.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I just drove from Melbourne to Brisbane and it went in a flash listening to these novels

Any additional comments?

Will listen to the rest of the series

As good and the book

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All that might be said about the author and the quality of both his prose and plot has been said.
For the purposes of this review I will simply say that the narrator has done a wonderful job in bringing the world of Martian and Aubrey to life. Well done sir.

Ripping yarn

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.