• Desolation Island

  • Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 5
  • By: Patrick O'Brian
  • Narrated by: Patrick Tull
  • Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,292 ratings)

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Desolation Island  By  cover art

Desolation Island

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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Publisher's summary

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)

What listeners say about Desolation Island

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

In some ways, the best book of the series yet

I cannot imagine staying with the long exposition in the first hundred or more pages, had I not read the first three novels in the series. Having gotten to know the main and supporting characters, however, this book skillfully weaves their character development together with historical allusions and surprising plot, twists, and yes, one epic sea battle with a Dutchman.
Looking forward to the next title!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another phenomenal story by O’Brian

Humor, survival, espionage pretty much sum’s it up. Wish I could get my wife to read the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Capital sea tale. Capital narration.

The chase with the Waakzaamheid is about as good as it gets. Capital, just capital.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, as always!

Fascinating story telling and historical fiction. POB does it again with an excellent narrative brought to life by a lively narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfection

Greatest books ever written. Love Patrick Tull’s voice. So sorry o’brian is gone. The golden ocean is great too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertainment at its best

There is no one better at telling an Aubrey-Maturin tale like Patrick Tull! Every inflection is perfect in his narration. Not to be missed!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Literature within historical fiction!

Literature within historical fiction! Absolutely the best story teller, historian and with amazing narration! Have listened to this art 4 times! New every time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Skipped in the flow, and worth the return

For some reason, my pass through all the rest of the A/M series on Audible had missed Desolation Island, although I remember reading it 25 years ago and loved the epic chase with the Dutchman that ultimately foundered. Quite the story and glad to have been able to enjoy it with P Tull’s awesome reading.


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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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Better!

The narrator drove me nuts in the last book, but hauled his wind in this one. The result is a more enjoyable sail. Great book!

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