Scan barcode
lukejkelly's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite of all the Hornblower novels, wonderfully written and gripping throughout.
john_raine's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third Hornblower book that I have read in the last couple of months and they are starting to run together a bit. Just a fun, light historical fiction read.
dotorsojak's review against another edition
3.0
3.2 stars
Third in the original Hornblower triology. A successful novel that nevertheless has little to do with the sea. The journey down the Loire River is the most interesting part of the book, and a barely apt add-on for my recent reading of THREE MEN AND A BOAT.
Ultimately, Hornblower is not a very nice man, though he is an accomplished military figure. I do think CSF wants us to sympathize with him even as he wants us to see how flawed he is as a character. The last part of the book, in which Hornblower achieves some of his lifelong ambitions but at the same time realizes how paltry those ambitions actually are, is quite good.
In reading some of the reviews, I am struck by how much they judge Hornblower for his failure to follow established 21st century norms. But H is a historical character created by an author who was himself born in the 19th century. We may find H irritating, may find him too out of touch to sympathize with, may not be be drawn into his adventures, but it isn't very useful to criticize him for having attitudes and views different from our own.
Third in the original Hornblower triology. A successful novel that nevertheless has little to do with the sea. The journey down the Loire River is the most interesting part of the book, and a barely apt add-on for my recent reading of THREE MEN AND A BOAT.
Ultimately, Hornblower is not a very nice man, though he is an accomplished military figure. I do think CSF wants us to sympathize with him even as he wants us to see how flawed he is as a character. The last part of the book, in which Hornblower achieves some of his lifelong ambitions but at the same time realizes how paltry those ambitions actually are, is quite good.
In reading some of the reviews, I am struck by how much they judge Hornblower for his failure to follow established 21st century norms. But H is a historical character created by an author who was himself born in the 19th century. We may find H irritating, may find him too out of touch to sympathize with, may not be be drawn into his adventures, but it isn't very useful to criticize him for having attitudes and views different from our own.
1outside's review against another edition
5.0
Easily my favourite of the 3 Hornblower books I've read so far.
I could have done without Horny's horny interlude with Marie but other than that...a perfect book in its genre!
I could have done without Horny's horny interlude with Marie but other than that...a perfect book in its genre!
mdunnbass's review against another edition
1.0
I really can't find it in me to like the main character. He can't be happy when he gets good news, he spends all his time fretting about how to make sure he comes off as emotionless, and he actively belittles and demeans the people most affectionate towards him throughout. Also, almost exactly nothing happened over the course of 90% of this book, except that HH sat around waiting for the people he was belittling built him a boat to save his life.
Worse yet, at the climax and conclusion of the novel, I found myself skipping entire paragraphs, hoping to find anything to catch my interest.
Not recommended at all.
Worse yet, at the climax and conclusion of the novel, I found myself skipping entire paragraphs, hoping to find anything to catch my interest.
Not recommended at all.
readingfar's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lalalioon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jimmypat's review against another edition
5.0
What a turnaround from the previous Hornblower book (Ship of the Line). This was a great adventure story that moved at a rapid pace, but had some very satisfying emotional moments as well.
In the last book, I was disgusted with Hornblower over his shabby treatment of his wife and his mooning over Lady Barbara. This book seems to give him a bit of a come-uppance, which was sorely needed- from Marie's stunning indictment of him to his realization that fame and achievement of worldly fortune is fleeting and meaningless.
Despite Hornblower's devolution into a jerk over the last couple of books, I would say that this is my favorite book in the series so far. Great action and some great internal character development. The big complaint is the easy way in which poor Maria is dispatched to make way for Lady Barbara.
In the last book, I was disgusted with Hornblower over his shabby treatment of his wife and his mooning over Lady Barbara. This book seems to give him a bit of a come-uppance, which was sorely needed- from Marie's stunning indictment of him to his realization that fame and achievement of worldly fortune is fleeting and meaningless.
Despite Hornblower's devolution into a jerk over the last couple of books, I would say that this is my favorite book in the series so far. Great action and some great internal character development. The big complaint is the easy way in which poor Maria is dispatched to make way for Lady Barbara.