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Hornblower Saga: Chronological Order #1
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Here we meet Horatio Hornblower, a young man of 17, in this Volume #1 of what becomes the 11 volume set about the career of this British Naval officer fighting against Napoleon and his tyranny of Europe as an inexperienced midshipman in January 1794. Bullied and forced into a duel, he takes an even chance. And then he has many more chances to show his skills and ingenuities - from sailing a ship full of wetted and swelling rice to imprisonment and saving the lives of shipwrecked sailors. And along the way, he fights galleys, feeds cattle, stays out of the way of the guillotine, and makes friends with a Duchess. Here Hornblower becomes a man and develops the strength of character which will make him a hero to his men, and to all England.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1950
About the author
C.S. Forester
414 books915 followersCecil Scott Forester was the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, an English novelist who rose to fame with tales of adventure and military crusades. His most notable works were the 11-book Horatio Hornblower series, about naval warfare during the Napoleonic era, and The African Queen (1935; filmed in 1951 by John Huston). His novels A Ship of the Line and Flying Colours were jointly awarded the 1938 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction.
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September 4, 2024
GUESS WHAT, AMIGOS? I'M NOW HALF-WAY THRU MY TOTAL RE-READ OF THIS BARNBUSTER:
EDGE OF YOUR SEAT PURE READING PLEASURE!
***
When I was growing up, my Mom, who doubled as the village librarian, URGED me to read this book. I’m sure she saw in me a little Midshipman Hornblower.
Shy, standoffish, and predisposed to dumb clumsiness, I obviously needed the role model of a misfit like I was, who would bloom under the rigours of his first command.
But being slightly autistic I was averse to authoritarian posturing.
Later, though, I would be plunged into the thick of it as Head Boy of our new high school. Why me???
Popularity? Not a chance.
Looks? A blank on that score too - I was a bit overweight and ungainly.
But lady luck has doggedly plodded close behind me all my long life!
And besides - when I was a kid I was much more intent on doing what the other kids liked to do: have fun and joke around.
When I finally picked up this book, nearly 60 years later, I was as unfit as ever to read it - for a different reason.
You see, I’ve always believed in a still slightly autistic adulthood that virtue, and not swagger and a strutting attitude, yields the best rewards.
I’ve seen too many intellectual flyweights and moral midgets assume the reins of command in my long career, and through their draconian attitudes, fake the whole thing passably enough.
That’s the strong and unpleasant impression I got from Hornblower’s first acts after being promoted, particularly in the flintlock duel scene.
So when I reread this, Horatio, I decided not to Friend you.
***
However, it’s a wonderfully well-written book and a good yarn - and you know what? After reading Jason Koivu’s beautiful five-star review here on GR, I’ve decided to someday (if I get the chance) revisit it!
So why’s that?
Well, back in the times when I was similarly “in command” of a group of office workers, I led by intuition and not by will - much like the young, untried ordinary seaman Hornblower.
So his embarrassing moments reminded me too much of my own. Real Aspie Territory.
Too many folks I know have corrupted their youth early on with the strategy of power, its dark secrets veiled in a “tedious argument of insidious intent” to lead their hapless victims to an “overwhelming question” and force their hands.
For what indeed is a truly Ingenuous Youth, if not a series of embarrassments - which includes a hearty helping of humiliation at the hands of these dark early bloomers?
And what is ‘presence’ to us, if not swagger? We others are simply continually weathering the storms seeded by these conniving cognoscenti - ad infititum. And should we not add here that this thing called ‘presence’ is really only a Gnostic Presence?
For into such dark checkmates were the plans of the moral flyweights I knew in my career intended to lead their victims!
So we Ingenuous Ones have no choice but to keep dancing...
But I see in Jason’s review that his character develops what used to be called traditional “presence” - that same confidence in himself to which I was only a newcomer in my late middle age, when I saw its moral and religious roots clearly.
And if Hornblower and I turn out to be dancing to the same sheet of music, it will be worthwhile to revisit this book.
So, dear readers:
Please consider this review as very much a Work in Progress.
EDGE OF YOUR SEAT PURE READING PLEASURE!
***
When I was growing up, my Mom, who doubled as the village librarian, URGED me to read this book. I’m sure she saw in me a little Midshipman Hornblower.
Shy, standoffish, and predisposed to dumb clumsiness, I obviously needed the role model of a misfit like I was, who would bloom under the rigours of his first command.
But being slightly autistic I was averse to authoritarian posturing.
Later, though, I would be plunged into the thick of it as Head Boy of our new high school. Why me???
Popularity? Not a chance.
Looks? A blank on that score too - I was a bit overweight and ungainly.
But lady luck has doggedly plodded close behind me all my long life!
And besides - when I was a kid I was much more intent on doing what the other kids liked to do: have fun and joke around.
When I finally picked up this book, nearly 60 years later, I was as unfit as ever to read it - for a different reason.
You see, I’ve always believed in a still slightly autistic adulthood that virtue, and not swagger and a strutting attitude, yields the best rewards.
I’ve seen too many intellectual flyweights and moral midgets assume the reins of command in my long career, and through their draconian attitudes, fake the whole thing passably enough.
That’s the strong and unpleasant impression I got from Hornblower’s first acts after being promoted, particularly in the flintlock duel scene.
So when I reread this, Horatio, I decided not to Friend you.
***
However, it’s a wonderfully well-written book and a good yarn - and you know what? After reading Jason Koivu’s beautiful five-star review here on GR, I’ve decided to someday (if I get the chance) revisit it!
So why’s that?
Well, back in the times when I was similarly “in command” of a group of office workers, I led by intuition and not by will - much like the young, untried ordinary seaman Hornblower.
So his embarrassing moments reminded me too much of my own. Real Aspie Territory.
Too many folks I know have corrupted their youth early on with the strategy of power, its dark secrets veiled in a “tedious argument of insidious intent” to lead their hapless victims to an “overwhelming question” and force their hands.
For what indeed is a truly Ingenuous Youth, if not a series of embarrassments - which includes a hearty helping of humiliation at the hands of these dark early bloomers?
And what is ‘presence’ to us, if not swagger? We others are simply continually weathering the storms seeded by these conniving cognoscenti - ad infititum. And should we not add here that this thing called ‘presence’ is really only a Gnostic Presence?
For into such dark checkmates were the plans of the moral flyweights I knew in my career intended to lead their victims!
So we Ingenuous Ones have no choice but to keep dancing...
But I see in Jason’s review that his character develops what used to be called traditional “presence” - that same confidence in himself to which I was only a newcomer in my late middle age, when I saw its moral and religious roots clearly.
And if Hornblower and I turn out to be dancing to the same sheet of music, it will be worthwhile to revisit this book.
So, dear readers:
Please consider this review as very much a Work in Progress.
November 1, 2021
As the ancient seas weave an endless pattern of waves some days calm, others not so much the vessels on their surface also continually try to eliminate perceived rivals , such is the world.The very young but talented Mr. Horatio Hornblower at 17 in 1793 ( born July 4 1776 which amuses some) that midshipman, barely an officer on the Indefatigable , ( a real distinguished vessel from two centuries past) technology advances nevertheless and better systems to eliminate your troublesome enemies moves forward... that is the problem-
a British Man -of -War but the future looks promising... if he lives, the battles will be fierce but first the seasickness must be overcome. Imagine a captain during a life or death struggle with an opponent's 18 pound cannonballs continuously firing , whizzing by and smashing the mast as it tumbling down on the hapless sailors while the master is lying in bed. This is the time and the era under Napoleon's rule when 20 years of massacres on land and oceans occurred, the French and British hatred grew to a fever pitch as only seeing friends dying on the cruel fields and toxic ships will do. Though 200 years have past still the ferocious excitement is real the feel soaks the pages not to mention the bloody kind which is obvious.Wars arrive unexpectedly and terminate quietly however the dead stay dead.This novel the first of 11 magnificent sea stories gives a glimpse of the savagery on board a fighting ship , it may be brutal ...nevertheless some humanity does trickles in. This writer also published "The African Queen," again by his narrative shows why nobody will top the author when set on water. The beauty soon turns to darkness the excitement flows over. The young man unsure, afraid, uncomfortable being in a place he doesn't want to occupy grows into a powerful tall tree the timid soul is more afraid on looking disparagingly by the crew as a coward . Mr. Hornblower an intelligent human would rather die than having his crew mates and fellow warriors, believe incorrectly that he's afraid, men strangely think like this. As the silhouette fades in the dim and the men onboard quietly go about their business over the calm sea knowing tomorrow, yes new tomorrows may cease but why continue a question which will never be answered fully for the simple reason people are a mystery even more than any book can describe...
a British Man -of -War but the future looks promising... if he lives, the battles will be fierce but first the seasickness must be overcome. Imagine a captain during a life or death struggle with an opponent's 18 pound cannonballs continuously firing , whizzing by and smashing the mast as it tumbling down on the hapless sailors while the master is lying in bed. This is the time and the era under Napoleon's rule when 20 years of massacres on land and oceans occurred, the French and British hatred grew to a fever pitch as only seeing friends dying on the cruel fields and toxic ships will do. Though 200 years have past still the ferocious excitement is real the feel soaks the pages not to mention the bloody kind which is obvious.Wars arrive unexpectedly and terminate quietly however the dead stay dead.This novel the first of 11 magnificent sea stories gives a glimpse of the savagery on board a fighting ship , it may be brutal ...nevertheless some humanity does trickles in. This writer also published "The African Queen," again by his narrative shows why nobody will top the author when set on water. The beauty soon turns to darkness the excitement flows over. The young man unsure, afraid, uncomfortable being in a place he doesn't want to occupy grows into a powerful tall tree the timid soul is more afraid on looking disparagingly by the crew as a coward . Mr. Hornblower an intelligent human would rather die than having his crew mates and fellow warriors, believe incorrectly that he's afraid, men strangely think like this. As the silhouette fades in the dim and the men onboard quietly go about their business over the calm sea knowing tomorrow, yes new tomorrows may cease but why continue a question which will never be answered fully for the simple reason people are a mystery even more than any book can describe...
November 28, 2019
I’ve got really strong memories of enjoying the Hornblower TV movies of the late 90’s, so seemed like another perfect book series to get started with.
I’d decided to read these in chronological order.
Whilst there is a slight prequel feel to these adventures, it’s definitely the best place to start.
Seeing young 17-year-old Hornblower’s inexperience helps the reader to understand the nautical terms with ease and get a greater sense of the late Eighteenth Century setting.
I definitely could sympathise with his seasickness!
There’s a real short story collection vibe to this volume, with some parts more interesting than others.
But ultimately it’s seeing the young Horatio grow throughout the tales that makes this a great adventures novel.
I’d decided to read these in chronological order.
Whilst there is a slight prequel feel to these adventures, it’s definitely the best place to start.
Seeing young 17-year-old Hornblower’s inexperience helps the reader to understand the nautical terms with ease and get a greater sense of the late Eighteenth Century setting.
I definitely could sympathise with his seasickness!
There’s a real short story collection vibe to this volume, with some parts more interesting than others.
But ultimately it’s seeing the young Horatio grow throughout the tales that makes this a great adventures novel.
September 30, 2023
Probably no author is as famous for his tales of the British Navy and the Napoleonic Wars than C.S. Forester. Most all these historical novels feature Horatio Hornblower in the lead. Mr. Midshipman takes Hornblower from his first naval assignment through his early experiences – from a quiet, shy and often seasick seventeen year old to someone who can get through his ship sinking and being captured by the French. Bit by bit, in the imagination of Forester, he gathers what is necessary to become an effective naval officer.
"Hornblower, hurriedly going through in his mind his recent lessons in boxing the compass. His course to weather Ushant was nor'–east by north, he knew, and the boat close hauled would not lie closer than eight points off the wind—he had lain–to to the sea anchor all night because the wind had been coming from too far north to enable him to steer for England. But now the wind had backed. Eight points from nor'–east by north was nor'–west by west, and the wind was even more westerly than that. Close hauled he could weather Ushant and even have a margin for contingencies, to keep him clear of the lee shore, which the seamanship books and his own common sense told him was so dangerous."
As a prisoner -
""This door in this bulkhead" he continued "leads to the quarters I have set aside for captured officers. Here, as you see, is your cot. Please make yourself at home here. Should this ship go into action—as I trust she will frequently do—the hatches above will be battened down. But except on those occasions you will of course be at liberty to move about the ship at your will. Yet I suppose I had better add that any harebrained attempt on the part of prisoners to interfere with the working or wellbeing of this ship would be deeply resented by the crew."
Fighting his isolation –
"Hornblower remembered the stuffy dark midshipman's berth, the smells and the creakings, the bitter cold nights, turning out in response to the call for all hands, the weevilly bread and the wooden beef, and he yearned for them all, with the sick feeling of hopeless longing."
Doing his best to assume authority -
""Shoot any man who looks dangerous, Matthews" said Hornblower. He was so intent on enforcing his will upon these men, so desperately anxious to retain his liberty, that his face was contracted into a beast–like scowl. No one looking at him could doubt his determination for a moment. He would allow no human life to come between him and his decisions. There was still a third pistol in his belt, and the Frenchmen could guess that if they tried a rush a quarter of them at least would meet their deaths before they overpowered the Englishmen, and the French captain knew he would be the first to die."
Plenty of the naval and nautical details that we want to see –
"Hornblower, jumping for the weather mizzen–shrouds, saw the eager grins on half a dozen faces—battle and the imminent possibility of death were a welcome change from the eternal monotony of the blockade. Up in the mizzen–top he looked over his men. They were uncovering the locks of their muskets and looking to the priming; satisfied with their readiness for action Hornblower turned his attention to the swivel gun. He took the tarpaulin from the breech and the tompion from the muzzle, cast off the lashings which secured it, and saw that the swivel moved freely in the socket and the trunnions freely in the crotch. A jerk of the lanyard showed him that the lock was sparkling well and there was no need for a new flint."
Forester helps us see how Hornblower’s maturational arc begins with age, deportment, and skills. What he also offers are a series of observations on how the British government (and the French to a lesser extent) made decisions during this period. "Hornblower looked back at the darkening coast of France. This was the end of an incident; his country's attempt to overturn the Revolution had met with a bloody repulse. Newspapers in Paris would exult; the Gazette in London would give the incident five cold lines. Clairvoyant, Hornblower could foresee that in a year's time the world would hardly remember the incident."
My favorite story in Mr. Midshipman may be when Midshipman Hornblower attempts to pass the examination for Lieutenant. Full of humor and emotion as well as action. The entire book is entertaining and packed with historical details; this was a very satisfactory beginning.
4.5*
I can't resist including another quotation that shows the depth of description that we receive from Forester: "Winter had come to the Bay of Biscay. With the passing of the Equinox the gales began to increase in violence, adding infinitely to the labours and dangers of the British Navy watching over the coast of France; easterly gales, bitter cold, which the storm–tossed ships had to endure as best they could, when the spray froze on the rigging and the labouring hulls leaked like baskets; westerly gales, when the ships had to claw their way to safety from a lee shore and make a risky compromise between gaining sufficient sea–room and maintaining a position from which they could pounce on any French vessel venturing out of harbour. The storm–tossed ships, we speak about. But those ships were full of storm–tossed men, who week by week and month by month had to endure the continual cold and the continual wet, the salt provisions, the endless toil, the boredom and misery of life in the blockading fleet. Even in the frigates, the eyes and claws of the blockaders, boredom had to be endured, the boredom of long periods with the hatches battened down, with the deck seams above dripping water on the men below, long nights and short days, broken sleep and yet not enough to do."
"Hornblower, hurriedly going through in his mind his recent lessons in boxing the compass. His course to weather Ushant was nor'–east by north, he knew, and the boat close hauled would not lie closer than eight points off the wind—he had lain–to to the sea anchor all night because the wind had been coming from too far north to enable him to steer for England. But now the wind had backed. Eight points from nor'–east by north was nor'–west by west, and the wind was even more westerly than that. Close hauled he could weather Ushant and even have a margin for contingencies, to keep him clear of the lee shore, which the seamanship books and his own common sense told him was so dangerous."
As a prisoner -
""This door in this bulkhead" he continued "leads to the quarters I have set aside for captured officers. Here, as you see, is your cot. Please make yourself at home here. Should this ship go into action—as I trust she will frequently do—the hatches above will be battened down. But except on those occasions you will of course be at liberty to move about the ship at your will. Yet I suppose I had better add that any harebrained attempt on the part of prisoners to interfere with the working or wellbeing of this ship would be deeply resented by the crew."
Fighting his isolation –
"Hornblower remembered the stuffy dark midshipman's berth, the smells and the creakings, the bitter cold nights, turning out in response to the call for all hands, the weevilly bread and the wooden beef, and he yearned for them all, with the sick feeling of hopeless longing."
Doing his best to assume authority -
""Shoot any man who looks dangerous, Matthews" said Hornblower. He was so intent on enforcing his will upon these men, so desperately anxious to retain his liberty, that his face was contracted into a beast–like scowl. No one looking at him could doubt his determination for a moment. He would allow no human life to come between him and his decisions. There was still a third pistol in his belt, and the Frenchmen could guess that if they tried a rush a quarter of them at least would meet their deaths before they overpowered the Englishmen, and the French captain knew he would be the first to die."
Plenty of the naval and nautical details that we want to see –
"Hornblower, jumping for the weather mizzen–shrouds, saw the eager grins on half a dozen faces—battle and the imminent possibility of death were a welcome change from the eternal monotony of the blockade. Up in the mizzen–top he looked over his men. They were uncovering the locks of their muskets and looking to the priming; satisfied with their readiness for action Hornblower turned his attention to the swivel gun. He took the tarpaulin from the breech and the tompion from the muzzle, cast off the lashings which secured it, and saw that the swivel moved freely in the socket and the trunnions freely in the crotch. A jerk of the lanyard showed him that the lock was sparkling well and there was no need for a new flint."
Forester helps us see how Hornblower’s maturational arc begins with age, deportment, and skills. What he also offers are a series of observations on how the British government (and the French to a lesser extent) made decisions during this period. "Hornblower looked back at the darkening coast of France. This was the end of an incident; his country's attempt to overturn the Revolution had met with a bloody repulse. Newspapers in Paris would exult; the Gazette in London would give the incident five cold lines. Clairvoyant, Hornblower could foresee that in a year's time the world would hardly remember the incident."
My favorite story in Mr. Midshipman may be when Midshipman Hornblower attempts to pass the examination for Lieutenant. Full of humor and emotion as well as action. The entire book is entertaining and packed with historical details; this was a very satisfactory beginning.
4.5*
I can't resist including another quotation that shows the depth of description that we receive from Forester: "Winter had come to the Bay of Biscay. With the passing of the Equinox the gales began to increase in violence, adding infinitely to the labours and dangers of the British Navy watching over the coast of France; easterly gales, bitter cold, which the storm–tossed ships had to endure as best they could, when the spray froze on the rigging and the labouring hulls leaked like baskets; westerly gales, when the ships had to claw their way to safety from a lee shore and make a risky compromise between gaining sufficient sea–room and maintaining a position from which they could pounce on any French vessel venturing out of harbour. The storm–tossed ships, we speak about. But those ships were full of storm–tossed men, who week by week and month by month had to endure the continual cold and the continual wet, the salt provisions, the endless toil, the boredom and misery of life in the blockading fleet. Even in the frigates, the eyes and claws of the blockaders, boredom had to be endured, the boredom of long periods with the hatches battened down, with the deck seams above dripping water on the men below, long nights and short days, broken sleep and yet not enough to do."
April 26, 2016
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower begins the seafaring career of a young British officer in one of the greatest historical naval fiction series ever penned! It's a heck of a fun rollick with seamen!
Horatio Hornblower commences his career in the Royal Navy as an inexperienced midshipman in January 1794. Through a series of challenges and adventures both in and out of combat, Hornblower discovers he is actually talented in both seamanship and leadership. - Wikipedia
This initial book in the series reads somewhat episodic, with whole creating a rounded introductory. The first chapter, "Hornblower and the Even Chance," is a fantastically tense and dynamic way to begin.
A bit of a Mary Sue, Hornblower seems to do no wrong much of the time. He is given the slightest of character flaws and he occasionally fails, but his fairly consistent successes and need to chastise himself for his failings could get a bit tedious for some readers. On the other hand, isn't it nice when the good guy wins?
The funny thing about Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is that it's a prequel. Forester went back and began his series after he'd already brought the narrative to completion. When he originally started writing these books, he began Hornblower's naval career in media res. After getting to the end, he went back and wrote a handful of prequels, sort of like what goddamned George Lucas did with Star Wars. However, in this case the creator's craft had improved. The writing in Mr. Midshipman Hornblower has a better flow to it, an effortless ease. The characters feel more like real people. I have to say, it's funny to get into the middle of the entire series and encounter the old books with their stiff characters and stilted writing.
Regardless of any shortcomings, the series is still one of my favorites and this is a great send off to a wonderful voyage!
A far too dashing image of Ioan Gruffudd, who played Hornblower in the tv series.
Horatio Hornblower commences his career in the Royal Navy as an inexperienced midshipman in January 1794. Through a series of challenges and adventures both in and out of combat, Hornblower discovers he is actually talented in both seamanship and leadership. - Wikipedia
This initial book in the series reads somewhat episodic, with whole creating a rounded introductory. The first chapter, "Hornblower and the Even Chance," is a fantastically tense and dynamic way to begin.
A bit of a Mary Sue, Hornblower seems to do no wrong much of the time. He is given the slightest of character flaws and he occasionally fails, but his fairly consistent successes and need to chastise himself for his failings could get a bit tedious for some readers. On the other hand, isn't it nice when the good guy wins?
The funny thing about Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is that it's a prequel. Forester went back and began his series after he'd already brought the narrative to completion. When he originally started writing these books, he began Hornblower's naval career in media res. After getting to the end, he went back and wrote a handful of prequels, sort of like what goddamned George Lucas did with Star Wars. However, in this case the creator's craft had improved. The writing in Mr. Midshipman Hornblower has a better flow to it, an effortless ease. The characters feel more like real people. I have to say, it's funny to get into the middle of the entire series and encounter the old books with their stiff characters and stilted writing.
Regardless of any shortcomings, the series is still one of my favorites and this is a great send off to a wonderful voyage!
A far too dashing image of Ioan Gruffudd, who played Hornblower in the tv series.
June 19, 2016
Both my oldest daughter and her husband are fans of the Hornblower series, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the A & E movie productions that I've seen of the Hornblower corpus; so I was motivated to read the books, and decided to begin at the beginning of Hornblower's career, with this novel. (My only previous acquaintance with Forester was from reading one of his short stories.) I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint!
Forester had a deft hand with maritime adventure (not all of it dealing with combat), characterization, and easily-readable Realist style. The movies based on parts of this novel don't always follow the book very closely; the Hornblower revealed here is a more complex character than the film version, younger (a teen at the beginning) and more callow, and definitely fallible. I could actually identify with him to a high degree --even though I'd never be able to do some of the things he did-- because he's portrayed as awkward and shy, and as pushing himself to the limit to do things that tax and scare him mainly because he fears other people's ridicule if he doesn't; and because he can make the same kind of absent-minded mistakes (like forgetting to cock his pistol when he's going into combat) that I could imagine myself making. One critic I've read felt that Forester is a less deep writer than his fellow maritime novelist, Melville, because he doesn't go in for symbolism and allegory. Nonetheless, his writing isn't shallow; he confronts his hero with several demands for moral decision-making. (And on these occasions, Hornblower comes through, earning the reader's respect and setting a good example.) The writing here is vivid; you get a really powerful picture of the hard and dangerous character of naval life in that day as you experience, along with the hero, the palms of his hands being flayed bloody by having to slide down a rough rope from a falling mast, or the winter cold and wet of the waves constantly breaking over him in an open boat.
Although this book is usually considered a novel, the structure is episodic enough that it could have been billed as a collection of short stories; though the chapters are placed in chronological order, they're each perfectly self-contained and could stand as distinct units. Since this wasn't the first Hornblower book to be written, it doesn't furnish any detailed information about his life before he went to sea, or why he decided on such a career; I'm assuming this would have appeared in the first book, but the lack of it here made for a gap in the character development. Also, if Forester ever explained the basic nautical terms of a sail-driven ship and its rigging and operations, he doesn't do it here; technical terms are used abundantly and you glean (or sometimes, don't glean) an approximation of the meaning from the context, unless you've picked up a definition elsewhere. (A sailing ship entry in a good visual dictionary would be a useful accompaniment to this read!) But these are minor caveats; I'm looking forward to eventually reading the next two books (in terms of Hornblower's life chronology) of the series, at least.
Forester had a deft hand with maritime adventure (not all of it dealing with combat), characterization, and easily-readable Realist style. The movies based on parts of this novel don't always follow the book very closely; the Hornblower revealed here is a more complex character than the film version, younger (a teen at the beginning) and more callow, and definitely fallible. I could actually identify with him to a high degree --even though I'd never be able to do some of the things he did-- because he's portrayed as awkward and shy, and as pushing himself to the limit to do things that tax and scare him mainly because he fears other people's ridicule if he doesn't; and because he can make the same kind of absent-minded mistakes (like forgetting to cock his pistol when he's going into combat) that I could imagine myself making. One critic I've read felt that Forester is a less deep writer than his fellow maritime novelist, Melville, because he doesn't go in for symbolism and allegory. Nonetheless, his writing isn't shallow; he confronts his hero with several demands for moral decision-making. (And on these occasions, Hornblower comes through, earning the reader's respect and setting a good example.) The writing here is vivid; you get a really powerful picture of the hard and dangerous character of naval life in that day as you experience, along with the hero, the palms of his hands being flayed bloody by having to slide down a rough rope from a falling mast, or the winter cold and wet of the waves constantly breaking over him in an open boat.
Although this book is usually considered a novel, the structure is episodic enough that it could have been billed as a collection of short stories; though the chapters are placed in chronological order, they're each perfectly self-contained and could stand as distinct units. Since this wasn't the first Hornblower book to be written, it doesn't furnish any detailed information about his life before he went to sea, or why he decided on such a career; I'm assuming this would have appeared in the first book, but the lack of it here made for a gap in the character development. Also, if Forester ever explained the basic nautical terms of a sail-driven ship and its rigging and operations, he doesn't do it here; technical terms are used abundantly and you glean (or sometimes, don't glean) an approximation of the meaning from the context, unless you've picked up a definition elsewhere. (A sailing ship entry in a good visual dictionary would be a useful accompaniment to this read!) But these are minor caveats; I'm looking forward to eventually reading the next two books (in terms of Hornblower's life chronology) of the series, at least.
July 3, 2023
È a dir poco delizioso prendere in mano Forester e ritrovare le stesse atmosfere, le stesse ambientazioni di O'Brian, con le navi e con gli inviti a pranzo al Palazzo del Governatore a Gibilterra, e addirittura con personaggi in comune come Sir Edward Pellew e Sir John Jervis. Una noce moscata di consolazione (cit.).
Altrettanto delizioso è leggere un romanzo ambientato sulle navi della Royal Navy standosene accomodati in una casetta anch'essa tutta di legno, proprio come gli imponenti bastimenti. Il vento e il sole di montagna possono quasi assomigliare a quelli di alto mare.
Gustosissime le descrizioni del cerimoniale, dell'etichetta, dei gesti e dei costumi di fine settecento: sottilmente autoironiche eppure perfettamente realistiche.
Mentre O'Brian ci presenta un Aubrey già adulto che si aspetta la nomina a capitano, Forester ci fa conoscere il suo protagonista da diciassettenne spilungone, dapprima deriso dal resto dell'equipaggio in quanto soffre di mal di mare già in porto, e in seguito, grazie a qualche colpo di testa e qualche botta di fortuna, ribattezzato di man in mano con nuovi nomignoli, come ad esempio "angelo volante" grazie ad un fortunoso volo da un pennone all'altro. Nel frattempo il XVIII° sec. volge al termine e le guerre napoleoniche seguono il corso che tutti ben sanno. Gli episodi che concorrono alla formazione del giovane Hornblower sono spezzettati, separati tra loro come singoli racconti, anche se, com'è ovvio intuire, l'insieme forma a suo modo un unicum, una sorta di romanzo anomalo-alternativo che copre un lasso di diversi anni.
Infine, squisita anche la costruzione del carattere di Hornblower, tutto il contrario del supereroe: è impacciato, spesse volte fifone, e altrettanto spesso si risolve a colpi di testa e gesti tesi a dimostrare audacia proprio con l'unico scopo di nascondere la fifa di cui si vergogna mortalmente.
Come nella tradizione, l'ultimo capitolo è il migliore e più avvincente di tutti, e non fa pentire di avere già pronto nello scaffale il secondo volume della serie.
Altrettanto delizioso è leggere un romanzo ambientato sulle navi della Royal Navy standosene accomodati in una casetta anch'essa tutta di legno, proprio come gli imponenti bastimenti. Il vento e il sole di montagna possono quasi assomigliare a quelli di alto mare.
Gustosissime le descrizioni del cerimoniale, dell'etichetta, dei gesti e dei costumi di fine settecento: sottilmente autoironiche eppure perfettamente realistiche.
Mentre O'Brian ci presenta un Aubrey già adulto che si aspetta la nomina a capitano, Forester ci fa conoscere il suo protagonista da diciassettenne spilungone, dapprima deriso dal resto dell'equipaggio in quanto soffre di mal di mare già in porto, e in seguito, grazie a qualche colpo di testa e qualche botta di fortuna, ribattezzato di man in mano con nuovi nomignoli, come ad esempio "angelo volante" grazie ad un fortunoso volo da un pennone all'altro. Nel frattempo il XVIII° sec. volge al termine e le guerre napoleoniche seguono il corso che tutti ben sanno. Gli episodi che concorrono alla formazione del giovane Hornblower sono spezzettati, separati tra loro come singoli racconti, anche se, com'è ovvio intuire, l'insieme forma a suo modo un unicum, una sorta di romanzo anomalo-alternativo che copre un lasso di diversi anni.
Infine, squisita anche la costruzione del carattere di Hornblower, tutto il contrario del supereroe: è impacciato, spesse volte fifone, e altrettanto spesso si risolve a colpi di testa e gesti tesi a dimostrare audacia proprio con l'unico scopo di nascondere la fifa di cui si vergogna mortalmente.
Come nella tradizione, l'ultimo capitolo è il migliore e più avvincente di tutti, e non fa pentire di avere già pronto nello scaffale il secondo volume della serie.
September 18, 2024
HEART OF OAK
Heart of oak are our ships
Jolly tars are our men.
We'll always be ready -
Steady boys, steady -
We'll fight and we'll conquer
Again and again!
(British sea shanty, Napoleonic era)
“Those French are a match for the ablest Admiral, boys.”
A rollicking good tale of the Sea.
Now 60% thru my Reread!
Heart of oak are our ships
Jolly tars are our men.
We'll always be ready -
Steady boys, steady -
We'll fight and we'll conquer
Again and again!
(British sea shanty, Napoleonic era)
“Those French are a match for the ablest Admiral, boys.”
A rollicking good tale of the Sea.
Now 60% thru my Reread!
May 18, 2015
My library didn't have this when I started reading the series, so I wound up reading Lieutenant Hornblower, the second book chronologically, before this. There was quite a difference in the two books. Where 'Lieutenant' was pretty much one long story with a short bit tacked on to the end, 'Midshipman' jumps from one short adventure to another like a frog on a hot road, but I liked both. Reading them out of order wasn't a huge deal, although I would have preferred to read them in chronological order & will do so from now on. I have all 11 books.
Hornblower is a really interesting hero. He's not physically perfect. He's tough as nails, but shy, skinny, prone to seasickness, & clumsiness. He's fairly smart & does his best thinking with real problems under life-threatening circumstances, but most of all, he has a very rigid code of honor & holds true to it. He never prevaricates, even to himself & this series of adventures shows off the entire young man.
Hornblower is rather offhand about the many hardships a sailor faced in the British Navy of the early 1800's. I thought back to my Army days & tried to put it in perspective. Each man had 22" to hang his hammock. Imagine that for a moment. That's about shoulder width & that's the room they had, not only to sleep in, but to get in & out of the bloody thing! Suddenly my WWII barracks with rows of bunk beds seemed quite spacious.
Why so little room? Forester mentions 300 men on a 'frigate' & space issues in several places. What's a frigate & how big is it? I looked around a little & guess it was about 135' long x 40' wide. (Tough to tell since the term seems to have covered a lot of different types & sizes.) Figure 2 decks & the math shows that each man had 36 square feet, a 6'x6' area without allowing for any superstructure, bracing, tapering, cannon, supplies, or anything else which may well have eaten up a lot of the room. Oh my! Tight quarters indeed, especially for voyages of months. They might have more room in a grave.
Even with all the fresh sea air, I imagine the smell was enough to knock a vulture over. Barely mentioned are the 'latrines' which weren't really, as such. They were an area with ropes strung off the side of the ship. They swung out over the ocean with their trousers down & hung on while they did their business, no matter what the weather was like. Ugh!
Food & water are mentioned a few times. Do NOT look it up. It's enough to gag a maggot. And there were rats. Yet Hornblower likes the sea life! It's beyond imagining. Shore life must have been dismal indeed. It makes the adventures & hardships that he willingly endures far more believable.
I'm still quite entranced by the series & will continue to listen to it. It's very well read, a perfect medium.
The full series in Published Order:
1. The Happy Return (1937) aka Beat to Quarters
2. The Ship of the Line (1938)
3. Flying Colours (1938)
4. The Commodore (1945) aka Commodore Hornblower
5. Lord Hornblower (1946)
6. Mr Midshipman Hornblower (1950)
7. Lieutenant Hornblower (1952)
8. Hornblower and the Atropos (1953)
9. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (1957)
10. Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962)
11. Hornblower and the Crisis (1967) aka Hornblower During the Crisis (partial, unfinished novel)
12. Hornblower Addendum (2011)
Hornblower One More Time contains 3 short stories:
- Hand of Destiny
- Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan
- Hornblower and His Majesty
Hornblower Addendum - Five Stories (2011) is 5 adventures of Horatio Hornblower, two as Lieutenant, two as Captain, and one as Admiral of the Fleet.
The Hornblower Companion is an atlas with brief descriptons & should be read along with the books.
Hornblower Chronology: From Wikipedia & other sources.
(SS = Short Story)
1. Mr Midshipman Hornblower Jan 1794–Mar 1798
1.4 Hornblower and the Hand of Destiny (SS) 1798 (need to find)
1.5 Hornblower and the Big Decision (Temptation or Widow McCool) (SS) 1799
2. Lieutenant Hornblower May 1800–Mar 1803
3. Hornblower and the Hotspur Apr 1803–Jul 1805
4. Hornblower and the Crisis aka Hornblower During the Crisis Aug 1805–Dec 1805 (partial, unfinished novel)
5. Hornblower and the Atropos Dec 1805–Jan 1808
6. The Happy Return aka Beat to Quarters Jun 1808–Oct 1808
7. The Ship of the Line May 1810–Oct 1810
7.5 Hornblower's Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan (SS) Jun 1810
8. Flying Colours Nov 1810–Jun 1811
8.5 Hornblower and His Majesty (SS) 1812
9. The Commodore aka Commodore Hornblower Apr 1812–Dec 1812
10. Lord Hornblower Oct 1813–Jun 1814
11. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies May 1821–Oct 1823
11.5 The Last Encounter (SS) Nov 1848
"The Point and the Edge" is a brief outline of a story.
The Wikipedia entry for the series has a lot of good information, but careful of spoilers. There is a table listing all the books & stories with both the UK/USA published names & dates, plus the chronological dates, movies & other stuff.
See Joy's review for movies:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hornblower is a really interesting hero. He's not physically perfect. He's tough as nails, but shy, skinny, prone to seasickness, & clumsiness. He's fairly smart & does his best thinking with real problems under life-threatening circumstances, but most of all, he has a very rigid code of honor & holds true to it. He never prevaricates, even to himself & this series of adventures shows off the entire young man.
Hornblower is rather offhand about the many hardships a sailor faced in the British Navy of the early 1800's. I thought back to my Army days & tried to put it in perspective. Each man had 22" to hang his hammock. Imagine that for a moment. That's about shoulder width & that's the room they had, not only to sleep in, but to get in & out of the bloody thing! Suddenly my WWII barracks with rows of bunk beds seemed quite spacious.
Why so little room? Forester mentions 300 men on a 'frigate' & space issues in several places. What's a frigate & how big is it? I looked around a little & guess it was about 135' long x 40' wide. (Tough to tell since the term seems to have covered a lot of different types & sizes.) Figure 2 decks & the math shows that each man had 36 square feet, a 6'x6' area without allowing for any superstructure, bracing, tapering, cannon, supplies, or anything else which may well have eaten up a lot of the room. Oh my! Tight quarters indeed, especially for voyages of months. They might have more room in a grave.
Even with all the fresh sea air, I imagine the smell was enough to knock a vulture over. Barely mentioned are the 'latrines' which weren't really, as such. They were an area with ropes strung off the side of the ship. They swung out over the ocean with their trousers down & hung on while they did their business, no matter what the weather was like. Ugh!
Food & water are mentioned a few times. Do NOT look it up. It's enough to gag a maggot. And there were rats. Yet Hornblower likes the sea life! It's beyond imagining. Shore life must have been dismal indeed. It makes the adventures & hardships that he willingly endures far more believable.
I'm still quite entranced by the series & will continue to listen to it. It's very well read, a perfect medium.
The full series in Published Order:
1. The Happy Return (1937) aka Beat to Quarters
2. The Ship of the Line (1938)
3. Flying Colours (1938)
4. The Commodore (1945) aka Commodore Hornblower
5. Lord Hornblower (1946)
6. Mr Midshipman Hornblower (1950)
7. Lieutenant Hornblower (1952)
8. Hornblower and the Atropos (1953)
9. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (1957)
10. Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962)
11. Hornblower and the Crisis (1967) aka Hornblower During the Crisis (partial, unfinished novel)
12. Hornblower Addendum (2011)
Hornblower One More Time contains 3 short stories:
- Hand of Destiny
- Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan
- Hornblower and His Majesty
Hornblower Addendum - Five Stories (2011) is 5 adventures of Horatio Hornblower, two as Lieutenant, two as Captain, and one as Admiral of the Fleet.
The Hornblower Companion is an atlas with brief descriptons & should be read along with the books.
Hornblower Chronology: From Wikipedia & other sources.
(SS = Short Story)
1. Mr Midshipman Hornblower Jan 1794–Mar 1798
1.4 Hornblower and the Hand of Destiny (SS) 1798 (need to find)
1.5 Hornblower and the Big Decision (Temptation or Widow McCool) (SS) 1799
2. Lieutenant Hornblower May 1800–Mar 1803
3. Hornblower and the Hotspur Apr 1803–Jul 1805
4. Hornblower and the Crisis aka Hornblower During the Crisis Aug 1805–Dec 1805 (partial, unfinished novel)
5. Hornblower and the Atropos Dec 1805–Jan 1808
6. The Happy Return aka Beat to Quarters Jun 1808–Oct 1808
7. The Ship of the Line May 1810–Oct 1810
7.5 Hornblower's Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan (SS) Jun 1810
8. Flying Colours Nov 1810–Jun 1811
8.5 Hornblower and His Majesty (SS) 1812
9. The Commodore aka Commodore Hornblower Apr 1812–Dec 1812
10. Lord Hornblower Oct 1813–Jun 1814
11. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies May 1821–Oct 1823
11.5 The Last Encounter (SS) Nov 1848
"The Point and the Edge" is a brief outline of a story.
The Wikipedia entry for the series has a lot of good information, but careful of spoilers. There is a table listing all the books & stories with both the UK/USA published names & dates, plus the chronological dates, movies & other stuff.
See Joy's review for movies:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 23, 2013
Here we have a lad of seventeen, a greenhorn deckhand, who works his way up through the ranks with his determination, grit, and a dash of book learnin': poor, seasick Hornblower, who barely manages to escape with his life from the duel he himself orchestrated, knowing his own inability and lack of experience in combat! Here we have Mr. Midshipman Hornblower of the HMS Indefatigable, unaware of the dangers of a leaky ship with a cargo hold full of dry rice! Here we have the pertinacious, the temerarious, the au courant, the über-prescient Horatio f___ing Hornblower!, foiling mutinous plots, fighting baddies on sea and on land, farting in the general direction of the French, Spanish, et cetera, and basically drop kicking evil in the face!
Sometimes I forget that reading can be so fun. I spend a lot of my reading time struggling through dense prose, trying to understand philosophical jargon or, in the case of my recent Ulysses failure, trying to understand anything at all. Which is good. It's valuable. But holy cow monkeys do I enjoy hearing about Horatio Hornblower's adventures on the high sea!
Sometimes I forget that reading can be so fun. I spend a lot of my reading time struggling through dense prose, trying to understand philosophical jargon or, in the case of my recent Ulysses failure, trying to understand anything at all. Which is good. It's valuable. But holy cow monkeys do I enjoy hearing about Horatio Hornblower's adventures on the high sea!
December 23, 2011
The Hornblower books by C. S. Forester are among the iconic novels of the English language, and with good reason in my opinion. I almost gave this a 4 star rating (because of my "stingy" with the 5 star ratings rule. After all 5 is the best you can give...how many can there be? But...)but decided I really do like these books to a 5 star level and they are very well written.
This was not the first Hornblower book...not the first written that is, but it is the first in chronological order in Hornblower's life. This book starts out with an extremely unsure and YOUNG Midshipman Hornblower arriving at his first ship. It follows him through a series of adventures from the misery of serving under a senior Midshipman who will never be promoted (because he's failed the Lieutenant's test too many times). This man takes his wretchedness and bitterness out on all the younger (thus junior)Midshipmen. The book's story continues with Hornblower's life through his promotion to Lieutenant (while he's in a Spanish prison as a prisoner of war). The book ends with his release from prisoner of war status and a promise of more adventure.
This (these) book (books) are well worth reading. Patrick O'Brian's works have become very well known of late, in my opinion as action and adventure stories Forester's works are far superior.
Just me of course.
This was not the first Hornblower book...not the first written that is, but it is the first in chronological order in Hornblower's life. This book starts out with an extremely unsure and YOUNG Midshipman Hornblower arriving at his first ship. It follows him through a series of adventures from the misery of serving under a senior Midshipman who will never be promoted (because he's failed the Lieutenant's test too many times). This man takes his wretchedness and bitterness out on all the younger (thus junior)Midshipmen. The book's story continues with Hornblower's life through his promotion to Lieutenant (while he's in a Spanish prison as a prisoner of war). The book ends with his release from prisoner of war status and a promise of more adventure.
This (these) book (books) are well worth reading. Patrick O'Brian's works have become very well known of late, in my opinion as action and adventure stories Forester's works are far superior.
Just me of course.
June 2, 2014
Having finished the first one, I have no idea why I'd put off reading these books for years. This book was great - historical fiction/Ships of the Line/Age of Sail done right!
Mr. Midhsipman Hornblower introduces us to Hornblower. He boards his first ship as a raw, inexperienced and frightened midshipman at seventeen. And the book takes Honrblower and the reader on all sorts of adventures. He engages in a duel to earn his place on the ship. He is given charge (and loses) a prize ship. He visits (and almost gets stuck in) Morocco. He meets a Duchess. He is captured. Throughout it all, he keeps a level head and makes the best of his situation.
What strikes me about these books as opposed to some of the recent Age of Sail (or Age of Sail in space) fiction that I've recently read is that Hornblower faces adversity. Hornblower is given tasks and he fails! When Hornblower loses the prize ship (and his first independent command) because swelling rice in the hold literally pops his ship open from the inside out I was hooked. In too many stories of this ilk, the main character faces only token cardboard opposition - an unruly crew that needs to be whipped into shape, or some such. In this book the curve balls lobbed at Hornblower are often either self-inflicted or out of his control. That's a nice change of pace.
Four stars out of five. The book moves along at a good pace, with plenty of action. It's a short, but fun read. My only real knock on the book is that Hornblower can be a bit of a twit. He always does the right thing. I'd like to see a little more edge on him, but that's OK. (We see a glimpse of a darker side in the next book, which is good.)
Mr. Midhsipman Hornblower introduces us to Hornblower. He boards his first ship as a raw, inexperienced and frightened midshipman at seventeen. And the book takes Honrblower and the reader on all sorts of adventures. He engages in a duel to earn his place on the ship. He is given charge (and loses) a prize ship. He visits (and almost gets stuck in) Morocco. He meets a Duchess. He is captured. Throughout it all, he keeps a level head and makes the best of his situation.
What strikes me about these books as opposed to some of the recent Age of Sail (or Age of Sail in space) fiction that I've recently read is that Hornblower faces adversity. Hornblower is given tasks and he fails! When Hornblower loses the prize ship (and his first independent command) because swelling rice in the hold literally pops his ship open from the inside out I was hooked. In too many stories of this ilk, the main character faces only token cardboard opposition - an unruly crew that needs to be whipped into shape, or some such. In this book the curve balls lobbed at Hornblower are often either self-inflicted or out of his control. That's a nice change of pace.
Four stars out of five. The book moves along at a good pace, with plenty of action. It's a short, but fun read. My only real knock on the book is that Hornblower can be a bit of a twit. He always does the right thing. I'd like to see a little more edge on him, but that's OK. (We see a glimpse of a darker side in the next book, which is good.)
April 19, 2016
Now that I have run out of Patrick O’Brian’s series and dabbled with several Alexander Kent’s Bolitho as a poor substitute, I took a chance to go back to the series from my youth that really turned me on to reading. I figured I would find Forrester’s starting version of the Brit navy in the Napoleanic Wars would be just be an adventurous potboiler appropriate to satisfy my twelve-year old mind. But I was surprised at the subtlety of tales, the lack of crass derring-do, and the self-effacing good humor as much as anguish with which he faced early mistakes from inexperience.
After an apprenticeship with a captain and ship of has-beens and wimps, he gets a chance at important mentorship under a brilliant, dashing captain of the Indefatigable on blockade duty in the Bay of Biscay. He is so successful in taking merchant and French naval prizes, Hornblower gets his first chance of command of a ship, tasked with taking it to England with a small crew. I loved to see him overcome his sense of inadequacy and learn to juggle all the tasks of navigation, keeping authority over his seamen, and keeping watch on the prisoners. Disaster happens from his own mistakes, and he pulls off a miracle save. When the captain doesn’t punish him, he finds a way to punish himself.
This book is composed of diverse kinds of episodes, none with the melodramatic battles I sort of expected from dim memories. The successes for him are not so much in vanquishing the major enemy ships, but in using his wits and budding leadership to save the day in terms of surviving a storm in a small boat, saving Spanish naval victims of a shipwreck on a reef, and climbing a mast in the dark to release the sail of an enemy ship assaulted by stealth in “cutting out” operation. I seem to remember Forrester painting the French and Spanish as simply despicable and treacherous, but I didn’t see much of that here in the times when he was a prisoner of their navy. The painting of the evils of slavery in the Spanish colonies and captured slave ships was a different story.
The growth in Hornblower’s character was satisfying to experience, though in retrospect I can see how each episode was used just for that purpose, imbued with moral lessons as much as a steps on the path to the wise and courageous commander he will become. I didn’t realize this tour of his midshipmen phase was written as a prequel to a set of five that took him from lieutenant to squadron commodore. I read and loved all ten. In contrast, O’Brian puts in a lot more gritty realism in his tales, engages you more in the microcosm of the society aboard ship, and makes the friendship between his officer hero Jack Aubrey and doctor/spy/naturalist Stephen Maturin the core of his stories. But second best is pretty good. If you try the Hornblower series, see if your library has The Hornblower Companion, which provides maps for every episode and outlines the big picture on the wars and interludes between them in the period from 1794 to 1823.
After an apprenticeship with a captain and ship of has-beens and wimps, he gets a chance at important mentorship under a brilliant, dashing captain of the Indefatigable on blockade duty in the Bay of Biscay. He is so successful in taking merchant and French naval prizes, Hornblower gets his first chance of command of a ship, tasked with taking it to England with a small crew. I loved to see him overcome his sense of inadequacy and learn to juggle all the tasks of navigation, keeping authority over his seamen, and keeping watch on the prisoners. Disaster happens from his own mistakes, and he pulls off a miracle save. When the captain doesn’t punish him, he finds a way to punish himself.
This book is composed of diverse kinds of episodes, none with the melodramatic battles I sort of expected from dim memories. The successes for him are not so much in vanquishing the major enemy ships, but in using his wits and budding leadership to save the day in terms of surviving a storm in a small boat, saving Spanish naval victims of a shipwreck on a reef, and climbing a mast in the dark to release the sail of an enemy ship assaulted by stealth in “cutting out” operation. I seem to remember Forrester painting the French and Spanish as simply despicable and treacherous, but I didn’t see much of that here in the times when he was a prisoner of their navy. The painting of the evils of slavery in the Spanish colonies and captured slave ships was a different story.
The growth in Hornblower’s character was satisfying to experience, though in retrospect I can see how each episode was used just for that purpose, imbued with moral lessons as much as a steps on the path to the wise and courageous commander he will become. I didn’t realize this tour of his midshipmen phase was written as a prequel to a set of five that took him from lieutenant to squadron commodore. I read and loved all ten. In contrast, O’Brian puts in a lot more gritty realism in his tales, engages you more in the microcosm of the society aboard ship, and makes the friendship between his officer hero Jack Aubrey and doctor/spy/naturalist Stephen Maturin the core of his stories. But second best is pretty good. If you try the Hornblower series, see if your library has The Hornblower Companion, which provides maps for every episode and outlines the big picture on the wars and interludes between them in the period from 1794 to 1823.
August 6, 2023
Revisiting another childhood staple after a 30+ year absence, and I'm very pleased to find that it held up very well indeed.
So when I first discovered these back in the day, I naturally started at the beginning (with an omnibus edition called Young Hornblower: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Lieutenant Hornblower & Hornblower and the Atropos, because why on earth wouldn't you start from the beginning?), so my first introduction to the redoubtable HH was as a seasick midshipman climbing to the deck of, and descending into the bowels of, the Justinian as she lay at anchor at Spithead.
What I didn't realize at the time, was that I was, in fact, reading a prequel -- Forester had begun with Hornblower as a captain of a ship of the line (in Beat to Quarters) and only subsequently went back to backfill Hornblower's earlier career, so he was spending time establishing some of Hornblower's ... tics and peculiarities ... that would come into full flower in the books that he'd already written.
This particular book is very episodic in nature -- almost a collection of standalone short stories tracing highlights in Hornblower's very early career.
This is one series where I don't regret reading it in chronological, rather than, publication order. It's still finely-written adventure fiction set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, with plenty of shattering broadsides and falling masts, and quieter moments of reflection as well; and Hornblower is a fascinating, queer and crossgrained character. (And young -- he's barely 17 when he climbs the Justinian's side, although by the standards of the time, he's actually older than average for a midshipman.)
So when I first discovered these back in the day, I naturally started at the beginning (with an omnibus edition called Young Hornblower: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Lieutenant Hornblower & Hornblower and the Atropos, because why on earth wouldn't you start from the beginning?), so my first introduction to the redoubtable HH was as a seasick midshipman climbing to the deck of, and descending into the bowels of, the Justinian as she lay at anchor at Spithead.
“My name is Hornblower,” he quavered at length.
“What an infernal piece of bad luck for you,” said a second man at the table, with a complete absence of sympathy.
What I didn't realize at the time, was that I was, in fact, reading a prequel -- Forester had begun with Hornblower as a captain of a ship of the line (in Beat to Quarters) and only subsequently went back to backfill Hornblower's earlier career, so he was spending time establishing some of Hornblower's ... tics and peculiarities ... that would come into full flower in the books that he'd already written.
This particular book is very episodic in nature -- almost a collection of standalone short stories tracing highlights in Hornblower's very early career.
This is one series where I don't regret reading it in chronological, rather than, publication order. It's still finely-written adventure fiction set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, with plenty of shattering broadsides and falling masts, and quieter moments of reflection as well; and Hornblower is a fascinating, queer and crossgrained character. (And young -- he's barely 17 when he climbs the Justinian's side, although by the standards of the time, he's actually older than average for a midshipman.)
March 24, 2022
I always heard that Captain Kirk from Star Trek was based on Horatio Hornblower. I thought I'd see for myself and am enjoying it a lot, only two chapters in. One of the most obvious elements is the way that situations turn into seemingly insoluble problems which endanger life and limb. Hornblower works the problem and takes intuitive leaps that solve the problem, sometimes with wild derring do.
The narration is top notch.
Here is part of Gene Roddenberry's description of his hero from the original Star Trek pitch to the networks.
FINAL COMMENTS
This was well written although there were a lot more details about the battles and seamanship than I wanted. I may have been spoiled for this series by reading so many of the Patrick O'Brian series before. Or it may be because the book is an early one in the series. Someday I will try the next one.
The narration is top notch.
Here is part of Gene Roddenberry's description of his hero from the original Star Trek pitch to the networks.
"Space-age Captain Horatio Hornblower, lean and capable both mentally and physically.Roddenberry doesn't mention that he is in love with his ship almost as a living entity, but perhaps that came later. :-D
A colorfully complex personality, he is capable or action and decision which can verge on the heroic — and at the same time lives a continual battle with self-doubt and the loneliness of command
As with similar men in the past (Drake, Cook, Bougainville and Scott), his primary weakness is a predilection to action over administration, a temptation to take the greatest risks onto himself. But, unlike most early explorers, he has an almost compulsive compassion for the plight of others, alien as well as human and must continually fight the temptation to risk many to save one"
FINAL COMMENTS
This was well written although there were a lot more details about the battles and seamanship than I wanted. I may have been spoiled for this series by reading so many of the Patrick O'Brian series before. Or it may be because the book is an early one in the series. Someday I will try the next one.
October 9, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It is a book about a young inexperienced midshipman named Mr. Hornblower. He takes us on many fun and challenging sea ventures. I recommend this book to all readers. It is quite light and fun to read.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
September 16, 2020
This is an unusual book compared to my usual fare. Interesting to go from Navy Seal type thrillers and CSI type mysteries to the 1790 seafarers. I can't say I missed the politics! What was interesting to me while I read this is how it reminded me of watching my little brothers in their scraggly gangly teens mature into fine young men. I also like the fact that no matter what, Horatio tries to do the right thing. I wish more people did.
October 22, 2015
Zabavna knjizica koja na dosta fin nacin prikazuje kolko je bio tezak i surov zivot mornara na velkim ratnim prodovima 1800tih godina. Brrrr, ne bih voleo to da probam.
Glavn lik je isto interesantan posto pretstavlja izuzetno moralnog i casnog coveka stavljenog u situacije koje ce testirati ono sto mu je najvaznije.
Lako i citko stivo sa dosta dubine tako da svaka preporuka.
Glavn lik je isto interesantan posto pretstavlja izuzetno moralnog i casnog coveka stavljenog u situacije koje ce testirati ono sto mu je najvaznije.
Lako i citko stivo sa dosta dubine tako da svaka preporuka.
July 22, 2021
Free download available at Faded Page.
October 28, 2008
"Hell!" said Hornblower, actually stamping his feet on the upper gangway in his anger. "Hell and damnation!"
C. S. Forester's Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (1950) finds himself all too often frustrated in a "savage, merciless world," where he is "very much alone ... depressed, and unhappy." It's a world where very little goes as Hornblower plans: each adventurous episode nearly ends his career – and his life. The young midshipman tempers his exasperation by relying on his keen, mathematical intellect that's quick to appraise risks and make split-second decisions. But without friends, without family, and faced with cruel discipline, bullying, and the brutality of war, the inexperienced Hornblower grows callous, shoring up his many insecurities through violence, rigid obedience to authority, and a bravado that borders on suicidal.
For many chapters, Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is a fairly dark read. Written in the gloomy days just after WWII, when Britons watched the Empire being dismantled, Forester's tale mirrors the angst and anger of the period; at the same time, though, it looks back longingly on the Empire in its first "finest hour," when – like the heroic airmen who saved England during the Blitz – courageous British seamen stood alone against a Europe dominated by an aggressive dictator.
I was equally charmed and repelled by Forester's vulnerable, volatile midshipman; but what remained constant were my curiosity to see what became of him and the pleasure I found reading about his adventures. Fortunately for us, Forester tells a good yarn from stem to stern. While the structure of each episodic chapter is formulaic and the focus rarely strays from Hornblower, Forester's clever imagination and extensive research create a believable illusion of life in the British navy during the Napoleonic wars. There's plenty of suspense and adventure; and the grim, understated humor that liberally seasons the yarns keep the reader's spirits up and the pages turning. I had no problem finishing the book, and at the conclusion, I was happy to see the more humane, more confident lieutenant Hornblower set to embark on an illustrious maritime career. I'm looking forward to setting sail with him again soon.
C. S. Forester's Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (1950) finds himself all too often frustrated in a "savage, merciless world," where he is "very much alone ... depressed, and unhappy." It's a world where very little goes as Hornblower plans: each adventurous episode nearly ends his career – and his life. The young midshipman tempers his exasperation by relying on his keen, mathematical intellect that's quick to appraise risks and make split-second decisions. But without friends, without family, and faced with cruel discipline, bullying, and the brutality of war, the inexperienced Hornblower grows callous, shoring up his many insecurities through violence, rigid obedience to authority, and a bravado that borders on suicidal.
For many chapters, Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is a fairly dark read. Written in the gloomy days just after WWII, when Britons watched the Empire being dismantled, Forester's tale mirrors the angst and anger of the period; at the same time, though, it looks back longingly on the Empire in its first "finest hour," when – like the heroic airmen who saved England during the Blitz – courageous British seamen stood alone against a Europe dominated by an aggressive dictator.
I was equally charmed and repelled by Forester's vulnerable, volatile midshipman; but what remained constant were my curiosity to see what became of him and the pleasure I found reading about his adventures. Fortunately for us, Forester tells a good yarn from stem to stern. While the structure of each episodic chapter is formulaic and the focus rarely strays from Hornblower, Forester's clever imagination and extensive research create a believable illusion of life in the British navy during the Napoleonic wars. There's plenty of suspense and adventure; and the grim, understated humor that liberally seasons the yarns keep the reader's spirits up and the pages turning. I had no problem finishing the book, and at the conclusion, I was happy to see the more humane, more confident lieutenant Hornblower set to embark on an illustrious maritime career. I'm looking forward to setting sail with him again soon.
June 5, 2007
This wasn't the first of the Hornblower novels to be written, but chronologically it comes first in the series of novels covering his life. For someone who is just coming to the series, this mightn't be the best place to start.
Although you are introduced to Hornblower as a nervous young seventeen-year-old midshipman, the fact that the book is actually comprised of a dozen or so loosely connected short stories means that the flow is rather choppy. If you are coming to the series after seeing the A&E movies, as I am, it's interesting to see the stories which inspired the miniseries, but somewhat disconcerting to see the differences in characterisation. I really can see why the producers of the miniseries decided that it was necessary to add a foil for Horatio in the form of Archie Kennedy; in the books, he is so incredibly cold and neurotically repressed that it is hard to warm to him. The fact that each story in this volume only took up only twenty or so pages also meant that it suffered, in my mind, in comparison with the television movies - Kitty Cobham, for example, does not come to life in the book in the way that she does on-screen.
The historical detail, however, is spot on, as are all the nautical details; and you can always rely on Forrester to deliver a rollicking good adventure story. I think as a stylist and a writer, though, Patrick O' Brian will always pip him as the best writer of historical naval fiction.
Although you are introduced to Hornblower as a nervous young seventeen-year-old midshipman, the fact that the book is actually comprised of a dozen or so loosely connected short stories means that the flow is rather choppy. If you are coming to the series after seeing the A&E movies, as I am, it's interesting to see the stories which inspired the miniseries, but somewhat disconcerting to see the differences in characterisation. I really can see why the producers of the miniseries decided that it was necessary to add a foil for Horatio in the form of Archie Kennedy; in the books, he is so incredibly cold and neurotically repressed that it is hard to warm to him. The fact that each story in this volume only took up only twenty or so pages also meant that it suffered, in my mind, in comparison with the television movies - Kitty Cobham, for example, does not come to life in the book in the way that she does on-screen.
The historical detail, however, is spot on, as are all the nautical details; and you can always rely on Forrester to deliver a rollicking good adventure story. I think as a stylist and a writer, though, Patrick O' Brian will always pip him as the best writer of historical naval fiction.
July 12, 2020
A very enjoyable origin story. It very quickly won me over, and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series. You can’t not love Hornblower.
November 4, 2023
C.S. Forester, Mr Midshipman Hornblower, 1948.
Lad lit. Very good swashbuckling stories, set in the Napoleonic wars. Believable action, good character development, interesting setting.
This volume covers our hero's start as a junior officer in the British navy, early 1794 age 17 to, apparently, early 1800 age 23. Wikipedia's fictional biography: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horat...
Chapters are episodes:
1 The Even Chance
2 The Cargo of Rice
3 The Penalty of Failure
4 The Man Who Felt Queer
5 The Man Who Saw God
6 The Frogs and the Lobsters
7 The Spanish Galleys
8 The Examination for Lieutenant
9 Noah's Ark
10 The Duchess and the Devil
There's a terrific set of eight TV movies of these stories, starring Ioan Gruffudd. This book comprises the events of the first four movies:
I Horatio Hornblower: The Duel, 1998: (chapters 1-5)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0129686/fu...
II The Fire Ships, 1998: (chapters 7-9)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194947/fu...
III The Duchess and the Devil, 1999: (chapter 10)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194946/fu...
IV The Wrong War, 1999: (chapter 6)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194948/fu...
The TV movies improve the stories, adding drama, excitement, and romance. Excellent pacing, beautiful replicas of naval sailing ships, great acting, fine music, good costumes. Movies 5-8 are
Mutiny (2001)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0273656/fu...
Retribution (2001) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0273657/fu...
Loyalty (2003) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0327890/fu...
Duty (2003) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0352410/fu...
A list of the eleven Hornblower books, and how the 20th-century author learned what naval life was like, 1790-1820: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio...
Lad lit. Very good swashbuckling stories, set in the Napoleonic wars. Believable action, good character development, interesting setting.
This volume covers our hero's start as a junior officer in the British navy, early 1794 age 17 to, apparently, early 1800 age 23. Wikipedia's fictional biography: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horat...
Chapters are episodes:
1 The Even Chance
2 The Cargo of Rice
3 The Penalty of Failure
4 The Man Who Felt Queer
5 The Man Who Saw God
6 The Frogs and the Lobsters
7 The Spanish Galleys
8 The Examination for Lieutenant
9 Noah's Ark
10 The Duchess and the Devil
There's a terrific set of eight TV movies of these stories, starring Ioan Gruffudd. This book comprises the events of the first four movies:
I Horatio Hornblower: The Duel, 1998: (chapters 1-5)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0129686/fu...
II The Fire Ships, 1998: (chapters 7-9)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194947/fu...
III The Duchess and the Devil, 1999: (chapter 10)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194946/fu...
IV The Wrong War, 1999: (chapter 6)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0194948/fu...
The TV movies improve the stories, adding drama, excitement, and romance. Excellent pacing, beautiful replicas of naval sailing ships, great acting, fine music, good costumes. Movies 5-8 are
Mutiny (2001)
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0273656/fu...
Retribution (2001) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0273657/fu...
Loyalty (2003) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0327890/fu...
Duty (2003) https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0352410/fu...
Life in the Navy, though it seemed to move from one crisis to another, was really one continuous crisis; even while dealing with one emergency it was necessary to be making plans to deal with the next. p. 59.
A list of the eleven Hornblower books, and how the 20th-century author learned what naval life was like, 1790-1820: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio...
July 28, 2009
I may have liked this more than it deserved because I read it around the birth of our third child (Katya is two days old as I write this), but whatever the reason, I really had a good time with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower.
Better than Cornwell's Richard Sharpe books, but not as good as Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books, Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is really a novel of short stories. "Hornblower and the Examination for Lieutenant" and "Hornblower the Duchess, and the Devil" were my two favourite tales, but all of them were readable and kept my interest.
I am looking forward to reading a Hornblower novel rather than a series of Hornblower stories. I think an extended tale in the Hornblower saga would be more compelling. The little details when action is at a minimum, the relationships on board ship, those are the things that really interest me. I felt that Hornblower's years as a Midshipman were covered too fast, and there were times when the jumps in his career -- from action to action -- left gaps I wish were filled. I am probably just spoiled by the stories of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, though. I'll get over it.
Better than Cornwell's Richard Sharpe books, but not as good as Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books, Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is really a novel of short stories. "Hornblower and the Examination for Lieutenant" and "Hornblower the Duchess, and the Devil" were my two favourite tales, but all of them were readable and kept my interest.
I am looking forward to reading a Hornblower novel rather than a series of Hornblower stories. I think an extended tale in the Hornblower saga would be more compelling. The little details when action is at a minimum, the relationships on board ship, those are the things that really interest me. I felt that Hornblower's years as a Midshipman were covered too fast, and there were times when the jumps in his career -- from action to action -- left gaps I wish were filled. I am probably just spoiled by the stories of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, though. I'll get over it.
September 9, 2019
Well, this was fun! I preferred it to Master and Commander by far. Horatio Hornblower is just a teenaged midshipman here, an intelligent and sensitive overthinker who sort of reminds me of a shy, grumpy puppy. Even though he would be mortified and offended to hear it. He's just so self-conscious and burdened despite all of his natural ability.
I kept wondering, how could I relate so much to an 18th century midshipman in the Royal Navy? I am not a boy. And definitely not a surly, reserved, sort-of-dashing English boy. I don't get captured by French galleons, or dine with Spanish sea captains, or smuggle intelligence for British admirals.
But then I realized that Horatio's first job is like everyone's first job! I mean, minus the threat of grapeshot to the throat.
You're technically an adult though you certainly don't feel like one, everyone is older than you, you feel out of your depth, are sometimes miserable, and sometimes triumphant. Some of your co-workers are a little crazy, but others are great. You pretend to know how to do things. And eventually you actually learn how to do them. It's me! It's you! It's Horatio!
This book is episodic, so we get the full range of Hornblower's early years; narrow escapes from enemy ships, embarrassing losses, painful battles of the French Revolution, triumphant maneuvering, and some personal bitterness. If you have a craving for naval historical fiction then I highly recommend this.
I kept wondering, how could I relate so much to an 18th century midshipman in the Royal Navy? I am not a boy. And definitely not a surly, reserved, sort-of-dashing English boy. I don't get captured by French galleons, or dine with Spanish sea captains, or smuggle intelligence for British admirals.
But then I realized that Horatio's first job is like everyone's first job! I mean, minus the threat of grapeshot to the throat.
You're technically an adult though you certainly don't feel like one, everyone is older than you, you feel out of your depth, are sometimes miserable, and sometimes triumphant. Some of your co-workers are a little crazy, but others are great. You pretend to know how to do things. And eventually you actually learn how to do them. It's me! It's you! It's Horatio!
This book is episodic, so we get the full range of Hornblower's early years; narrow escapes from enemy ships, embarrassing losses, painful battles of the French Revolution, triumphant maneuvering, and some personal bitterness. If you have a craving for naval historical fiction then I highly recommend this.
June 17, 2024
Very entertaining naval adventure. This is my first time with Hornblower, but expect I’ll be going back. This first instalment (chronologically at least) was a bit episodic, not sure if that’s typical of the series or a symptom of Forester trying to quickly fill in details of HH’s early years at see. Despite that, I had a really good time with it.
August 18, 2019
This reread confirms what I thought...I find Hornblower much more enjoyable to read than Master and Commander. The great A&E series might have something to do with that!
December 17, 2017
I read book #10 of this series and it was so good I am circling back and reading the adventures of Horatio Hornblower from the beginning. As a navy man these are almost required reading.
June 10, 2021
Začínal si uvědomovat, že život v námořnictvu, ačkoliv se zdál plynout od jedné krize k druhé, je ve skutečnosti jednou nekončící krizí, že dokonce i v okamžiku řešení jedné mimořádné události už bylo nutné plánovat, jak vyřešit další.
Chronologicky první, datem vydání snad až osmá z knih o námořních (i životních) eskapádách Horatia Hornblowera. Konečně i u nás. Ostatně bylo načase, protože spolu se sérií Aubrey-Maturin (která se u Forestera přiznaně nemálo inspiruje) se jedná o to nejlepší, co historická námořní dobrodružná četba nabízí. Obě série se navíc dočkaly zdařilých, a i u nás dobře známých, adaptací (jedna filmové, druhá seriálové).
Klady jsou jasné, generacemi čtenářů prověřené a dané; fenomenálně vtahující, mnohdy až procedurální popis života na moři na sklonku 18. století, atmosféra vrzajících dřevěných kocábek, vánku, dobrodružství... A především samotný Hornblower, který je echt sympatickým a nosným protagonistou. Zásadový stydlivý introvert, který nezkušenost a nejistotu skrývá za výbuchy prchlivosti až arogancí, typ jedince co by sice nejraději "udělal vše sám, protože spoléhat se na ostatní přináší problémy", ale vždy je správňák a hrdina. Není zcela černobílou postavou, ostatně se tu začíná stavy deprese, šikanou a úvahami o sebevraždě čili si k němu čtenář chvilku hledá cestu. Jakmile si jí však najde, tak přiroste k srdci.
Záporem, jakkoli jde o mušku a nikoli masařku, je nesporně epizodická struktura, kdy jednotlivé kapitoly jsou v podstatě samostatně stoj��cí povídky z průběhu kadetské služby.
Za tuzemskou edicí stojí shodný tým jako za "aubreymaturinovkami" čili kvalita překladu i publikace je na nejvyšší úrovni (snad jen "námořnické aye, aye" dnes již netřeba překládat; nejen cílovka ví která bije). Snad jen opakující se překlep "i/í" zarazí. Díky nízkému nákladu malého nakladatele tomu, bohužel, odpovídá i cena, která to s ohledem na nevelký rozsah posouvá do kategerie "pro fajnšmekry". Snad to nebude znamenat, že to u nás podobně jako O’Brianova série po pár dílech skončí bez vydání všech dílů.
Každopádně má dobrodružná dušička je nadšena a připravena se z fleku nechat naverbovat na první zaoceánskou bárku. Nebo aspoň se vrhnout na následující díl.
Chronologicky první, datem vydání snad až osmá z knih o námořních (i životních) eskapádách Horatia Hornblowera. Konečně i u nás. Ostatně bylo načase, protože spolu se sérií Aubrey-Maturin (která se u Forestera přiznaně nemálo inspiruje) se jedná o to nejlepší, co historická námořní dobrodružná četba nabízí. Obě série se navíc dočkaly zdařilých, a i u nás dobře známých, adaptací (jedna filmové, druhá seriálové).
Klady jsou jasné, generacemi čtenářů prověřené a dané; fenomenálně vtahující, mnohdy až procedurální popis života na moři na sklonku 18. století, atmosféra vrzajících dřevěných kocábek, vánku, dobrodružství... A především samotný Hornblower, který je echt sympatickým a nosným protagonistou. Zásadový stydlivý introvert, který nezkušenost a nejistotu skrývá za výbuchy prchlivosti až arogancí, typ jedince co by sice nejraději "udělal vše sám, protože spoléhat se na ostatní přináší problémy", ale vždy je správňák a hrdina. Není zcela černobílou postavou, ostatně se tu začíná stavy deprese, šikanou a úvahami o sebevraždě čili si k němu čtenář chvilku hledá cestu. Jakmile si jí však najde, tak přiroste k srdci.
Záporem, jakkoli jde o mušku a nikoli masařku, je nesporně epizodická struktura, kdy jednotlivé kapitoly jsou v podstatě samostatně stoj��cí povídky z průběhu kadetské služby.
Za tuzemskou edicí stojí shodný tým jako za "aubreymaturinovkami" čili kvalita překladu i publikace je na nejvyšší úrovni (snad jen "námořnické aye, aye" dnes již netřeba překládat; nejen cílovka ví která bije). Snad jen opakující se překlep "i/í" zarazí. Díky nízkému nákladu malého nakladatele tomu, bohužel, odpovídá i cena, která to s ohledem na nevelký rozsah posouvá do kategerie "pro fajnšmekry". Snad to nebude znamenat, že to u nás podobně jako O’Brianova série po pár dílech skončí bez vydání všech dílů.
Každopádně má dobrodružná dušička je nadšena a připravena se z fleku nechat naverbovat na první zaoceánskou bárku. Nebo aspoň se vrhnout na následující díl.
June 25, 2019
I very much enjoy maritime fiction, when done well. This book was somehow not what I was expecting and I find it difficult to define, but I very much enjoyed it.
First of all, it seemed a bit more like a string of incidents rather than one cohesive story. The only thing really tying it together was that it covers the Midshipman years for Hornblower. It would have been fun to see a more substantial, carefully crafted arc for Hornblower or to see the stories tied together into a significant plot, but honestly I didn't mind too much once I knew what to expect.
Some of the subject matter and scenes Forester chooses to show are just unexpected. He deals with topics you don't necessarily expect to see in this genre, from Hornblower's deep depression at the beginning of the book, to the rat gambling, to the slave galleys of Spain, to the fraudulent Duchess offering to hide his despatches in her undergarments. XD XD
The last chapter and adventure was unequivocally my favorite. Loved the descriptions of the stormy ocean coast and Hornblower's decisions are so honorable. He has been honorable throughout the book, but this truly was the culmination of that.
First of all, it seemed a bit more like a string of incidents rather than one cohesive story. The only thing really tying it together was that it covers the Midshipman years for Hornblower. It would have been fun to see a more substantial, carefully crafted arc for Hornblower or to see the stories tied together into a significant plot, but honestly I didn't mind too much once I knew what to expect.
Some of the subject matter and scenes Forester chooses to show are just unexpected. He deals with topics you don't necessarily expect to see in this genre, from Hornblower's deep depression at the beginning of the book, to the rat gambling, to the slave galleys of Spain, to the fraudulent Duchess offering to hide his despatches in her undergarments. XD XD
The last chapter and adventure was unequivocally my favorite. Loved the descriptions of the stormy ocean coast and Hornblower's decisions are so honorable. He has been honorable throughout the book, but this truly was the culmination of that.
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