Questions About Mr. Midshipman Hornblower

by C.S. Forester

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Answered Questions (6)

are these book appropriate for a 14 year old?????

Shroomjak Yes. There is a small amount of violence but nothing more than what you would find in a light PG-13 movie.

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What are your thoughts around what order in which to read these books? By publication date, chronological order of the story and events, or does it not make a difference? Thank you!

Douglas Me, I'd trust the author. I'd read them in publication order.…moreMe, I'd trust the author. I'd read them in publication order.(less)

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I am very interested in this subject. I tried reading Patrick O’Brian’s “Master and Commander” but just could not get past the very heavy nautical term usage(e.g. “ …by clinging to the futtock-shrouds, which run from the catharpings near the top of the mast to the futtock-plates at the outer edge of the top". Does Forester write the same way?

Jonathan Palfrey In writing this kind of story, I think some use of naval terminology is inevitable. You don’t need to understand what these words mean, they just add …moreIn writing this kind of story, I think some use of naval terminology is inevitable. You don’t need to understand what these words mean, they just add colour and a feeling of authenticity to the text. Forester’s writing style is not the same as O’Brian’s, but yes, he also makes use of the same kind of terminology.

If your quotation were rewritten as “… by clinging to the ropes that run from the top of the mast to some other part of the ship”, I think it would seem weak, and we’d have the feeling that the author didn’t know what he was writing about.(less)

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In what order should the books be read? Order in which they are written or chronological?

Jonathan Palfrey You can read them either way: chronological order to follow the hero’s career in the order in which he followed it, or publication order to follow his…moreYou can read them either way: chronological order to follow the hero’s career in the order in which he followed it, or publication order to follow his career in the order in which the author followed it. Either way makes some sense. In “The Happy Return”, the first book published, Hornblower’s character is not yet fully developed, and he seems a bit wooden.(less)

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So, I found this in the second hand shop. Big fan of Patrick O'Brian's sea novels. Is this the first of Hornblower's adventures? good place to start?

Jonathan Palfrey It’s the first in chronological order. Hornblower is starting his naval career as a 17-year-old midshipman, and it’s a good place to start. It was pub…moreIt’s the first in chronological order. Hornblower is starting his naval career as a 17-year-old midshipman, and it’s a good place to start. It was published in 1950.

The main alternative place to start is “The Happy Return”, which was the first book to be published, in 1937. At this point, Hornblower is a captain in his 30s.(less)

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