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peterthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Unlike the other books in the series, this book follows the thoughts and actions of Lt. William Bush, who joins HMS Renown, in which Hornblower is serving. Although new to the ship, Bush is placed above Hornblower due to seniority of service, becoming 3rd lieutenant, and keeping Hornblower at 5th lieutenant. As the story unfolds, Bush comes to value Hornblower as an outstanding officer and leader. This was a particularly brilliant approach on the part of Forester, as it shows how Hornblower comes to be respected and valued by his superior officers and the men in his ship. One of the best in the series.
elentarien's review against another edition
3.0
Like the first book, I found this one another set of contradictions on paper. Yay.
Again, it was an easy read. The pacing was well done and at no point did I feel particularly bored or bogged down. The adventure was fun and the scenario these officers found thesmelves was interesting. However. . .it really could have been done better, too.
Taking into account that this was written in an old style. . .we can overlook that. The use of words that did not 'feel' like real words, the odd turns of phrase. . .we can overlook that. We know styles have changed over time and the way they spoke/wrote back when this was written is different from what is 'acceptable' now. So, Ok, fine.
This one was told from another perspective - instead of getting to know Hornblower (who is. . .you know, the TITLE CHARACTER!!) - we get into the head of "Lieutenant Bush" (was a first name ever given? I'm not even sure!). It's from his observations that we learn about Hornblower and his supposed brilliance. It's an interesting tactic to use to get to know a character. But it still doesn't let us get to know the title character except from a distant. . .disconnected way. So by the time I was done the book - I still don't know whether I like these characters or not.
The transitions in this book were a little better. The whole book being a continuous adventure, as opposed to a bunch of smaller ones over an indefinite amount of time. The action scenes still suffered from too much technical detail being thrown at the reader (and, in my case. . .a reader who couldn't care less about the stupid guns! Tell me more about the PEOPLE!) But don't get me started at the bit of 'romance' at the end of the book. (seriously? is that why you wrote this whole thing from a different character than your title character? So you could breeze past that? bah)
So, yeah. Interesting read. . .certainly not the best. Still prefer the movies!
Again, it was an easy read. The pacing was well done and at no point did I feel particularly bored or bogged down. The adventure was fun and the scenario these officers found thesmelves was interesting. However. . .it really could have been done better, too.
Taking into account that this was written in an old style. . .we can overlook that. The use of words that did not 'feel' like real words, the odd turns of phrase. . .we can overlook that. We know styles have changed over time and the way they spoke/wrote back when this was written is different from what is 'acceptable' now. So, Ok, fine.
This one was told from another perspective - instead of getting to know Hornblower (who is. . .you know, the TITLE CHARACTER!!) - we get into the head of "Lieutenant Bush" (was a first name ever given? I'm not even sure!). It's from his observations that we learn about Hornblower and his supposed brilliance. It's an interesting tactic to use to get to know a character. But it still doesn't let us get to know the title character except from a distant. . .disconnected way. So by the time I was done the book - I still don't know whether I like these characters or not.
The transitions in this book were a little better. The whole book being a continuous adventure, as opposed to a bunch of smaller ones over an indefinite amount of time. The action scenes still suffered from too much technical detail being thrown at the reader (and, in my case. . .a reader who couldn't care less about the stupid guns! Tell me more about the PEOPLE!) But don't get me started at the bit of 'romance' at the end of the book. (seriously? is that why you wrote this whole thing from a different character than your title character? So you could breeze past that? bah)
So, yeah. Interesting read. . .certainly not the best. Still prefer the movies!
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this Hornblower too. I didn't love it as much perhaps because it was from Bush's perspective, but perhaps that teaches us more about Hornblower too.
Wish there was a glossary to help explain some of the terms but still a fast paced and gripping read.
Wish there was a glossary to help explain some of the terms but still a fast paced and gripping read.
missmelia's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
siria's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely one of the classics of this genre of historical adventure writing. It's a quick book to read - 300 pages long in my paperback copy, but it feels much shorter because Forrester's pace simply zips along. Hornblower is a lot more of a repressed prat than he is in the movie miniseries, but I was expecting that from what I'd been told. It has to be said, however, that it is one of the most homoerotic novels I have ever read, and that Bush is so obviously in love with Horatio that I wonder to god how no one ever picked up on it. *boggles a little* I don't think it's a patch on O' Brian, but still a classic and definitely worth the read.
filipasduarte's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
wagmore's review against another edition
4.0
A more sustained and complex plot compared to the first book in the series, which was more a set of short stories. Very, very good.