# Patrick O'Brian: any unpublished works?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 23, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188 "2002-04-23T18:50:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188/1 "2002-04-23T18:50:07Z")
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 Now what I need to know is whether anyone has heard of any unpublished Aubrey/Maturin books by Patrick O’Brian that might be released posthumously?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
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188/2 "2002-04-23T19:43:20Z")
(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)
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### Author:  [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188/3 "2002-04-23T21:31:01Z")
Sho nuff. From [this site](http://www.io.com/gibbonsb/pob/):
> [@](#):
>
> During O’Brian’s New York book tour for Blue at the Mizzen, the recently-published twentieth Aubrey-Maturin novel, I was able to attend his conversation with Walter Cronkite at the New York Public Library. He mentioned he had completed the third chapter of the twenty-first - a surprise because he had previously announced that he would complete the series at twenty. While it is unlikely he was able to complete number twenty-one, there are many who hope it will be published unfinished.
You may also be interested in a pre-Aubrey-Maturin novel, [The Unknown Shore](http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/backlist/unknown.htm), 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.
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### Author:  [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188/4 "2002-04-24T17:38:17Z")
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
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### Author:  [@Curate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curate)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-obrian-any-unpublished-works/105188/5 "2002-04-24T18:06:13Z")
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.