Desolation Island

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 5

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Jack's prize money has set the household accounts aright, but if he continues frittering it on naive extravagances, it will be gone in a fortnight. Fortunately he gets a commission aboard the Leopard, bound for Australia to rescue the hated and captive Captain Bligh.Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.©1978 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"O'Brian is not that hard a taste to acquire, but he is very tough to shake...[the Aubrey/Maturin series] is a great work." (Boston Globe)

Don't Miss

While this book is not one of the best of the Aubrey/Maturin series, you should not miss it. It has one of the most memorable chase scenes in any of the books, that between the Leopard and the Dutch 74 gun Waakzaamheid. The book also establishes the vast difference between Jack Aubrey ashore (a dolt) and Jack Aubrey afloat (a genius). If you skip this book, you will have missed a great listen.

Abrupt ending

Big fan of the series and in fact this is my second time through. This one had a little bit of an abrupt ending so I need to start right away on the next.

The best

Such a great combination of story teller and story reader
My third time listening! If you like historical fiction, you can’t beat O’Brian and Tull.

Another great book

I could not stop listening to this. Every book so far in the series has been brilliant. In this book Jacks ship is chased by a much superior Dutch ship. Which leads to a dramatic sea battle, ice bergs and the South Pole. Great Stuff. I love the characters, the action and the clever dialogue. A quote from Maturin : “There is a proverb in Ireland to the affect that there is good to be found even in an English man”, Steven says, “its not often used however”. Love it. Clear for action and on to the next book.

Great read. Great reader.

Loved it! Hhh bbb ggg vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv bbb bbb nnn mmm bbb nnn mmm bbb mmm.
I’m

Why so many bad reviews?

Was hesitant to get this title because of so many poor reviews. Only did it to have read them all. Now I'm very pleased I did. Why so much fuss over such a great listen. Lots of different aspects of A&M life looked into. Very satisfing. I can only guess that the minimal "ship to ship" fighting, and the linear story, didn't apeal to everyone. Plus really got under my skin that Jack is such an oblivion on land. Great suspence with the chase and the spying.

I love this series.

Any additional comments?

As simple as that. This series is magnificent and I treat it like a rare treasure. Whenever I feel like there is nothing I want to 'read'/listen to, I get another gem from this series.

Patrick Tull was born to read these books, his rendition is brilliant and eminently fits the material.

Best or 2nd best of 1st 5

Thought this book post fresh intriguing dilemmas with more matured (understandably) characters. A strong favorite so far, although the introductory book which hooks one in is a pretty great ride also.

Good story but ending leaves the reader hanging

Another good story from Patrick O'Brian but the story ends and it seems there is more to be said to complete the story. Maybe it will be completed in a future book.

Best book series I have ever read! Phenomenal characterizations.

The relationship between Capt Aubrey and Dr Stephen Maturin…brilliant! Such wonderful insight to human interactions…set in the Royal Navy of the 1800s.