Desolation Island

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Tim Pigott-Smith

Sent to rescue Governor Bligh, former captain of HMS Bounty, Jack Aubrey sets off for Australia in the Leopold with his friend Stephen Maturin and a hold full of convicts in this fifth of the Aubrey/Maturin series.

A beautiful and dangerous spy lurks among these prisoners, as does an even more lethal traveling companion, gaol fever, a treacherous disease that decimates the crew. With a Dutch man-of-war to windward, the under-manned, outgunned Leopold sails for her life into the freezing waters of the Antarctic. There in mountainous seas, the Dutchman closes.

"Good history, espionage, romance and an action at sea that for sheer descriptive power can match anything in fiction." (The Guardian)©1978 Patrick O'Brian; (P)1999 Random House, Inc.; Cover Illustration by Geoff Hunt

Narrator's accents are annoying

I love the book, but not Piggot-Smith's narration. The Irish accent he lends Maturin is distracting, and his American accent for Mrs. Wogan is worse. Far worse. I much prefer Simon Vance's narration of this series.

good book

I read this series several years ago, and when I say it available on Audible, I was very happy. I prefer unadbridged versions, but this one was abridged quite nicely, without taking away from the story. If you want to know what the sailors life was like during the late 1700's early 1800's this series of books is unsurpassed. I only give it 4 of 5 because: its abridged, and at 5 hours, it could be priced a little lower.
Tim Pigott-Smith does a good job of narration, making the book enjoyable to listen to.

Great news, good news, bad news

The great news is that this is a terrific series, as you can tell by reading the reviews of other titles. It is fun. It is easy to listen to. Even the naval jargon becomes clearer as you go through the stories.
The bad news about this particular audiobook is that it is abridged. The books follow a rhythm, like a voyage, and abridgement destroys that. Also, you are always wondering what you missed.
The good news is Tim Pigott-Smith, who is the best of the readers. For the accents of the characters, particularly, he is just right!
Overall, it's worth the abridgement to get the excellent narration.
Now, UNabridged AND Tim Pigott-Smith..... wow.