Patrick O'Brian: any unpublished works?

Cafe Society
1

My name is RiverRunner and I’m an Aubreyoholic.

Hi, RiverRunner!

There. I’ve said it. Now what I need to know is whether anyone has heard of any unpublished Aubrey/Maturin books by Patrick O’Brian that might be released posthumously?
Thanks,
RR

2

(minor Hijack)

I haven’t read any of the O’Brian books (yet), but I know there’s a C.S. Forester “Horatio Hornblower” story that hasn’t been reprinted since its first magazine publication – “Hornblower and the King”.
(end Minor Hijack)

3

Sho nuff. From this site:

You may also be interested in a pre-Aubrey-Maturin novel, The Unknown Shore, which features midshipman “Jack Byron” and surgeon’s mate “Tobias Barrow.” These two characters supposedly have some obvious similarities to the later, more mature team.

I’m only up to The Nutmeg of Consolation, so I’ve got a few left.

4

Thanks for the info, guys. I have read through the whole series twice so far, but haven’t yet picked up The Unknown Shore, which I have seen in the bookstores. I might have to spring for it soon.
RR

5

You might also want to read “The Golden Ocean.” It also stands outside the Aubrey/Maturin series but it is a companion piece to “The Unknown Shore.” Those two books recount Anson’s voyage to the Pacific in the 18th century from the perspective of two different ships.

Interestingly, in one of the Aubrey/Maturin books (I forget which) a minor character is Midshipman Byron, who is described as a relative of old Admiral Byron, whose adventures as a midshipman are recounted in TUS.

I’m sure I’ll read whatever Mr O’Brian’s publishers decide to publish of his unfinished works, but I have to admit that I found the end of the 20th book to be a fitting end for the series. As fun as they are, I’d prefer not to begin any new story arcs that won’t be finished.