Patrick O’Brian’s renowned Aubrey-Maturin series consists of 21 books, set during the Napoleonic wars. They focus on the unlikely friendship of Captain Jack Aubrey – Royal Navy through and through - and Stephen Maturin, former Irish revolutionary, spy, naturalist, and surgeon. We look at the background to – and narrative of - two novels – the Nutmeg of Consolation and Clarissa Oakes.

DELIVERY MODE

• Online

SUGGESTED READING

• Nutmeg of Consolation, Patrick O’Brian
• Clarissa Oakes, Patrick O’Brian

COURSE OUTLINE

• Biography of Patrick O’Brian
• The Patrick O’Brian Aubrey-Maturin series
• A brief overview of the Napoleonic wars from a naval perspective, in Europe and internationally
• The popularity of the books, including the movie adaptation of Master and Commander

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the world of the Aubrey-Maturin novels situated with the Napoleonic wars and the Royal Navy
2. Understand the key themes of the complex friendship between Aubrey and Maturin
3. Consider the way early Sydney Cove and the surrounding country is portrayed in the book