The Nutmeg of Consolation

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 14

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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)

Another great one

Another great story. Love the the adventures of these two. Can't wait to see what happens next.

You never want it to be over!!!

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!

outstanding treasure

Brilliant weave of historical content, amazing botanical encounters and naval culture and times.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.

More adventure!

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

I read novels with the utmost pertinacity.

“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.

Great story fantastic narration, overall wonderful

This was a magnificent addition to the series. I loved everything about it. A good mix of action and drama.

A great book in a magnificent series!

Patrick Hull is definitely the narrator that you want for this series. The other guy is simply unacceptably poor in comparison.

Simply the finest series/reader.

We meet some unlikeable Characters in this one and cringe at the treatment of prisoners in Australia. Maturin meets a Platypus as well.

Another Excellent Installment

I can not wait to listen to the next volume. From shipwrecked to Australia the take is an excellent one.

Another great Aubrey and Maturin tale.

The opposing strengths and weaknesses of both characters makes this my favorite "Best Buddy" series.