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smcleish's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog here in August 1998.
As indicated by the rank in the title, this is one of the earlier Hornblower novels. Fairly unusually for this series, it is told from the point of view of William Bush, beginning from their first meeting. This occurs when Bush is posted to the ship on which Hornblower is serving as third lieutenant, to become fourth when Bush arrives as his commission is of an earlier date.
It soon becomes clear that something is very wrong about the ship, and that the mind of Captain Sawyer is not what it should be. He suffers from paranoid fantasies about his officers, particularly Hornblower and the first lieutenant. These reach the point where there are discussions about declaring the captain unfit for command, but at this point he falls down a hatchway and is confined to a sickbed. (Hornblower and one of the midshipmen also victimised by the captain are the only witnesses, causing private speculation among the other officers that the fall was not wholly accidental.)
The most important aspect of the book, for itself as well as for the remainder of the series, is the establishing of the relationship between Hornblower and Bush. Although there are moments of the thriller about the book, the early days of this relationship is the focus; this is what raises this book above the run-of-the-mill. There is excitement when the ship reaches the Caribbean, and tension created by the captain's illness.
As indicated by the rank in the title, this is one of the earlier Hornblower novels. Fairly unusually for this series, it is told from the point of view of William Bush, beginning from their first meeting. This occurs when Bush is posted to the ship on which Hornblower is serving as third lieutenant, to become fourth when Bush arrives as his commission is of an earlier date.
It soon becomes clear that something is very wrong about the ship, and that the mind of Captain Sawyer is not what it should be. He suffers from paranoid fantasies about his officers, particularly Hornblower and the first lieutenant. These reach the point where there are discussions about declaring the captain unfit for command, but at this point he falls down a hatchway and is confined to a sickbed. (Hornblower and one of the midshipmen also victimised by the captain are the only witnesses, causing private speculation among the other officers that the fall was not wholly accidental.)
The most important aspect of the book, for itself as well as for the remainder of the series, is the establishing of the relationship between Hornblower and Bush. Although there are moments of the thriller about the book, the early days of this relationship is the focus; this is what raises this book above the run-of-the-mill. There is excitement when the ship reaches the Caribbean, and tension created by the captain's illness.
guardyanangel's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't think I'd be as captivated by this as I was by the miniseries because of the lack of Dadmiral and Archie, and yet I was. How is it even possible?
janetlun's review against another edition
I've been on a re-reading kick and thought I'd try Horatio Hornblower again. Good enough that I made it through two books, but a bit too racist to make it further.
raehink's review against another edition
4.0
Hornblower is on board ship with an unreasonable and Bligh-like Captain. When the Captain is mysteriously injured and ultimately debilitated and unable to perform his duty, the highest ranking men take over and try to follow the secret orders in the his pouch.
greerd's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly my favourite of the series. We get to see our hero through another character's (mostly approving) eyes, we get to meet Bush, we get to see H being a fighting hero and an intellectual powerhouse, we get a mad captain and a mutiny, we get hurt/comfort (H cradling Bush's face as he slips into unconsciousness, H bringing Bush a fruit basket and lemonade as he recovers *heart eyes*), Bush finding H living in poverty after the war and H being all noble about it...
Basically they're my babies and I love them.
Basically they're my babies and I love them.
ebdawson's review against another edition
4.0
The style of this second book is very different from the first. Instead of following Hornblower directly, we see him through Lieutenant Bush's eyes, a perspective I very much enjoyed. Furthermore, this was much more of one cohesive story, rather than a series of stories. The direction Forester took in the last fifth or so was completely unexpected. Though it did feel a bit anticlimactic, it was interesting in its own right. Forester seems determined to portray the accuracy of what a naval officer's life looked like and I appreciate that, even if some of the events that find their way to the page don't feel like the most exciting storytelling choices.
I love the budding bromance between Bush and Hornblower.
I love the budding bromance between Bush and Hornblower.
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