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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Forester’s last Hornblower novel was uncompleted at his death. And that’s a shame, because it was shaping up to be a spy story for the ages.
The opening is kinda dumb. He’s relieved of command, but on his way home, he discovers that his old ship has been sunk by the new captain. He’s reunited with his old crew, on a water tender.
More impossible coincidences happen, it’s a Hornblower novel after all. And we get another brief reunion with his wife (always awkward.)
Then it’s off to London where his exhaustion loosens his tongue enough to become embroiled in a spy adventure arranged by the Naval Secretary.
Just when it gets interesting, Forester died.
This volume also includes “the last Hornblower story.” I’m saving that one for last.
I’m very happy with these books. They’re adventure tales, but they’re a little less offensive than the James Bond books, despite being set 100+ years earlier.
The opening is kinda dumb. He’s relieved of command, but on his way home, he discovers that his old ship has been sunk by the new captain. He’s reunited with his old crew, on a water tender.
More impossible coincidences happen, it’s a Hornblower novel after all. And we get another brief reunion with his wife (always awkward.)
Then it’s off to London where his exhaustion loosens his tongue enough to become embroiled in a spy adventure arranged by the Naval Secretary.
Just when it gets interesting, Forester died.
This volume also includes “the last Hornblower story.” I’m saving that one for last.
I’m very happy with these books. They’re adventure tales, but they’re a little less offensive than the James Bond books, despite being set 100+ years earlier.
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was a fun read but there were parts where a note from the author wrapped up riveting parts of the story with a paragraph or two. It would have been a much better book if he had just written the tale to its conclusion.
As Forester's unfinished last work it got off to a great start; alas it ends just at a major turning point leaving us with only a few sparse notes on how the tale would have played out.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The writing of this book was cut unfortunately short by the passing of C.S. Forester, but was still a fun read. I enjoyed the short chapter at the end which explores a little of Hornblower in his old age.
General Overview
A wonderful collection of unfinished stories, this book jumps across the life of Horatio Hornblower, in a wonderful fashion. Each story helps flesh out this wonderful protagonist, and is a read I could recommend to anyone.
Style
Praised by [a:Ernest Hemingway|1455|Ernest Hemingway|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1654446435p2/1455.jpg] as an author 'I recommend to every literate,' I'm not sure what else I can say about the writing chops of [a:Forester C. S.|21801431|Forester C. S.|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. He delivers fantastic characters, in a sweeping and dynamic setting.
Where other stories from this period can get bogged down in the eccentricities of the workings of a tall ship of the Napoleonic era, Forester cuts through them. Keeping the bits that are important, his story and characters are what sell these novels. He calls upon his technical knowledge of the era, without drowning us in it.
Story
From his time as a young man at sea, to that as an Admiral, this collection of three incomplete stories is a wonder to read.
Filling in some critical point of the titular characters life, it further weaves them into the glorious historical narrative of the age. The Crisis, the first of the three, I enjoyed the most. A great mix of characters, scenes, and pacing, it is a delight, and something I'd encouraged even those not familiar with the series to read.
Final Thoughts
A great collection. Even though I have now glimpsed into Hornblower's future, I cannot wait to read how he gets there.
A wonderful collection of unfinished stories, this book jumps across the life of Horatio Hornblower, in a wonderful fashion. Each story helps flesh out this wonderful protagonist, and is a read I could recommend to anyone.
Style
Praised by [a:Ernest Hemingway|1455|Ernest Hemingway|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1654446435p2/1455.jpg] as an author 'I recommend to every literate,' I'm not sure what else I can say about the writing chops of [a:Forester C. S.|21801431|Forester C. S.|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. He delivers fantastic characters, in a sweeping and dynamic setting.
Where other stories from this period can get bogged down in the eccentricities of the workings of a tall ship of the Napoleonic era, Forester cuts through them. Keeping the bits that are important, his story and characters are what sell these novels. He calls upon his technical knowledge of the era, without drowning us in it.
Story
From his time as a young man at sea, to that as an Admiral, this collection of three incomplete stories is a wonder to read.
Filling in some critical point of the titular characters life, it further weaves them into the glorious historical narrative of the age. The Crisis, the first of the three, I enjoyed the most. A great mix of characters, scenes, and pacing, it is a delight, and something I'd encouraged even those not familiar with the series to read.
Final Thoughts
A great collection. Even though I have now glimpsed into Hornblower's future, I cannot wait to read how he gets there.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced