We have started with Desolation Island on the DW Read. We will be reading ( Read more... )

To quote Ferox:

Huzzah, Radio 4's dramatisations of Patrick O'Brian's books have reached Desolation Island (and at just the right time for DreamWidth's Group Readalong at mandc_read, too!

Desolation IslandEpisode 1 of 2 ( Read more... )

Discussion post for everyone else: Herapath and Mrs Wogan, the Americans (or Irish), the Leopards...

Have at it.

Mrs Wogan blushed and laughed, said she was happy to hear it, and wished she might believe him. But in fact this was largely mechanical: she paid little attention to his remarks. After a turn or two about the room she observed that it was ( Read more... )

Last chapter post of the book for Jack and Stephen. Or Jack or Stephen.

But when this facetiousness rang false, it rang very false indeed. It reminded Stephen of a 'cello suite that he had often tried to play, with small success; one in which, through very slight successive changes a simple, artless air in the adagio took on a nightmare quality. He ( Read more... )

Last chapter of Desolation Island. How much is there to love in this?

General and nautical here, you know how this goes.

Sternposts and pintles and gudgeons, oh my!

Ch 9 discussion post for our wonderful remaining shipmates.

Allan looked a little blank, but the Captain's placid assumption that such a task was well within his powers impressed him; and when he was told that he should have all the forecastle-men and quartermasters in the ship, the pumps be damned, he went off cheerfully enough.

Also? Leopardina? ( Read more... )

Ch 9 discussion post for Jack and Stephen.

Watch me quote the predictable bit.

They played, not beautifully but deep, ignoring their often discordant strings and striking right into the heart of the music they knew best, the true notes acting as their milestones. On the poop above their heads, where the weary helmsmen tended the new steering-oar and ( Read more... )

Yay for happy resolutions!

Squee-ho!

General and nautical go here, you know how it goes.  I feel a bit foolish for asking this, but can someone explain to me what the difference is between "by the mark" and "by the deep" when they're sounding?

Desolation Island, Ch 8 discussion post for our Leopards, loyal or not so. Because we understand.

Post here about Herapath, the ladies, Mr G, Bonden or Babbington.

'Sir, the hands have wrought hard, very hard, ever since the moment we struck. We cannot in honesty give them any more hope. And if I may speak plain, I doubt they would come to their duty ( Read more... )

Ch 8 discussion post for Jack and Stephen, separate or together.

When Stephen came in he said, 'Stephen, the boat will soon be away, probably some time before nightfall. If you choose to go, pray dress up warm and take my waterproof cloak. They will take you, I know.'
'They? You do not go?'
'No. I stay with the ship. But I do not wish you to feel ( Read more... )