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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Great historical, nautical fiction. Read this one first because it we the first one written, though not first in chronology. Watched the tv series in DVD, and thus checked out this first book. It compares well t the Aubrey/Martin series that I read last year, and I look forward to reading this series.
Another bracing journey with Horatio Hornblower - this time to the pacific.
Crawling along the panama isthmus, he has to aid the rebels in the area against the Spanish, but the rebel leader 'El Supremo' is a nutter. He follows his orders to the letter, and then winds up in more trouble and bother as a result.
The introduction of Lady Wellesley also complicates matters.
Another great story.
Crawling along the panama isthmus, he has to aid the rebels in the area against the Spanish, but the rebel leader 'El Supremo' is a nutter. He follows his orders to the letter, and then winds up in more trouble and bother as a result.
The introduction of Lady Wellesley also complicates matters.
Another great story.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. If I didn't know Forester had later been a propaganda writer during WWII, if I hadn't already taken to Patrick O'Brian, and if I knew nothing about Forester's personal history, I would have enjoyed this much more. I do think an author ought to consider more in their audience than a blank slate though. And they should definitely sort out beforehand whether or not they want to a) write their feelings unashamedly on their sleeve and/or b) manipulate political feeling in their audience. This puts a huge drag on the story. Hornblower is as overburdened with authorial baggage as he is with his duty.
First, the good. The descriptions of sailing, of the details of this wooden world, are excellent. It doesn't reach the point where you think Forester might have actually lived during the Napoleonic Wars, but it is colorful and immersive. The battles, in particular the brutal slog with theNatividad , are thrilling. A bit melodramatic, but that's more Hornblower's gloss on them (we'll get to that). The story is also satisfying despite an abrupt ending. It has enough adventure that it could sit comfortably next to Treasure Island without batting an eye. Lastly, I felt there was a lot of enjoyable and interesting dialogue between genuinely crafted characters (whenever you start talking to them, you know the author has done a good job).
Now for what I didn't enjoy.
I'm not sure anyone could honestly be a fan of Hornblower as a person. He's not a pleasant fellow. And not in the gruff-but-actually-a-teddy-bear way. He's just downright repellent as a main antagonist. And I'm fairly certain that was Forester's intention. But the fact that I don't know for sure makes me uneasy about Forester's reasons for writing. There is much of autobiography in the first Hornblower outing. Forester originally wanted to write a fact-based Hollywood screenplay with high-seas adventure. ButCaptain Blood beat him and Hornblow/Busch & co. to the idea. Meanwhile a fading opera star was threatening a paternity suit, so he fled to Britain, meeting a lovely photographer in the voyage. Clearly Hornblower (at least in this book) is meant to be Forester as Forester wanted to be.
But is cathartic autobiography all there is to Hornblower's unpleasantness? A subtle thread throughout the story is Forester's proto-propaganda mind at work. The book seems to be saying Hornblower is an unpleasant person, but only because duty drives him there. He's racked with personal detriment, but also very obviously a talented and brave individual. There's a subtext message there about the hard life of a commanding officer, and how underlings should always obey because poor Captain Hornblower just can't feel good about himself or anyone. That message is aimed particularly at male citizens, Barbara's renaissance-lady attitude notwithstanding. She's summarily put in her "proper" place after the bloody fight with theNatividad , and falls for Hornblower (alas, Hornblower is already in an unhappy marriage--woe for duty!). Furthermore, the uneasy allies at the beginning of the story become the enemies by the end, clearly a message that those at war can only rely upon themselves to conquer and win the day. The whole book is riddled with this kind of thought, and I can't chalk it up to historical point of view either. These are very obviously Forester's thoughts, and not his attempt to varnish with historical accuracy.
I'll keep reading Hornblower, but it's so overburdened by Forester himself that it's not a terribly enjoyable experience. Perhaps as the character grows into their own more, he'll distance from Forester's personal drama. I don't foresee doom-and-gloom Hornblower drying up on the propaganda though. If anything, that will probably increase as the character's (and the author's) experience of war continues.
First, the good. The descriptions of sailing, of the details of this wooden world, are excellent. It doesn't reach the point where you think Forester might have actually lived during the Napoleonic Wars, but it is colorful and immersive. The battles, in particular the brutal slog with the
Now for what I didn't enjoy.
I'm not sure anyone could honestly be a fan of Hornblower as a person. He's not a pleasant fellow. And not in the gruff-but-actually-a-teddy-bear way. He's just downright repellent as a main antagonist. And I'm fairly certain that was Forester's intention. But the fact that I don't know for sure makes me uneasy about Forester's reasons for writing. There is much of autobiography in the first Hornblower outing. Forester originally wanted to write a fact-based Hollywood screenplay with high-seas adventure. But
But is cathartic autobiography all there is to Hornblower's unpleasantness? A subtle thread throughout the story is Forester's proto-propaganda mind at work. The book seems to be saying Hornblower is an unpleasant person, but only because duty drives him there. He's racked with personal detriment, but also very obviously a talented and brave individual. There's a subtext message there about the hard life of a commanding officer, and how underlings should always obey because poor Captain Hornblower just can't feel good about himself or anyone. That message is aimed particularly at male citizens, Barbara's renaissance-lady attitude notwithstanding. She's summarily put in her "proper" place after the bloody fight with the
I'll keep reading Hornblower, but it's so overburdened by Forester himself that it's not a terribly enjoyable experience. Perhaps as the character grows into their own more, he'll distance from Forester's personal drama. I don't foresee doom-and-gloom Hornblower drying up on the propaganda though. If anything, that will probably increase as the character's (and the author's) experience of war continues.
I've really been enjoying listening to the audio book versions of this series which I haven't read since I was a child. Beat to Quarters features some fine descriptions of naval life and the political climate with respect to Spanish involvement in Central America and (for devotees of this series) marks the introduction of Lady Barbara.
Very accurate use of historical racial slurs and even torture make me wonder how my parents ever let me read these books! Nevertheless, they're great fun to listen to again.
Very accurate use of historical racial slurs and even torture make me wonder how my parents ever let me read these books! Nevertheless, they're great fun to listen to again.
It started as my least favorite of the series and may have ended as my favorite thus far. This mirrored my perception of Hornblower throughout.
adventurous
funny
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:
No
A friend is a massive fan of this series and has been trying to persuade me to read them for years. Apparently you can either attack them in publishing, or chronological order. I went for the former and and for the sake of a little peace and quiet, I burned some Bezos Bucks and bought the first one.
I wasn't really expecting it to be my cup of tea, but I actually really enjoyed it. I liked the main character as despite being a captain and no sufferer of fools, he was full of anxiety and imposter syndrome, yet got the job done. Something I can identify with. Certainly very refreshing in a world of 'perfect' protagonists.
The eBook seemed to be the best way to read it as there was plenty of naval terminology that the Kindle's built in dictionary made short work of. I now know my mizzens, bulwarks and bowsprits from my carronades. It certainly added a lot of atmosphere.
Some of the language used was certainly a little problematic, but was probably perfectly acceptable in 1937 when the book was written and definitely 'of its time' in 1808 when the story was set. It didn't ruin it and sometimes you just have to put things in context and power through.
Good stuff though, I will be dipping into the series more in the future.
I wasn't really expecting it to be my cup of tea, but I actually really enjoyed it. I liked the main character as despite being a captain and no sufferer of fools, he was full of anxiety and imposter syndrome, yet got the job done. Something I can identify with. Certainly very refreshing in a world of 'perfect' protagonists.
The eBook seemed to be the best way to read it as there was plenty of naval terminology that the Kindle's built in dictionary made short work of. I now know my mizzens, bulwarks and bowsprits from my carronades. It certainly added a lot of atmosphere.
Some of the language used was certainly a little problematic, but was probably perfectly acceptable in 1937 when the book was written and definitely 'of its time' in 1808 when the story was set. It didn't ruin it and sometimes you just have to put things in context and power through.
Good stuff though, I will be dipping into the series more in the future.
an unpleasant book about an unpleasant man; didn't make it past the middle.
Racism, xenophobia, imperialism, British nationalism/classism, misogyny, and general disrespect for human life on the one hand; a bizarrely unexpected compelling lead character (who CRIES once??? I didn't know British sea captain heroes were allowed to do that, not that Hornblower thinks he is either), a rather touching little forbidden romance in the last few chapters, and awful gory battle scenes that temper the overtones of monarchic English glory on the other.
Finding a "correct" way to feel about this book is probably impossible, so... [shrug] The overarching ideals that support this story's plot are undercut at every turn by the fondness approaching tenderness with which Forester treats the few individuals and relationships he focuses on - and also vice versa. Very English.
Finding a "correct" way to feel about this book is probably impossible, so... [shrug] The overarching ideals that support this story's plot are undercut at every turn by the fondness approaching tenderness with which Forester treats the few individuals and relationships he focuses on - and also vice versa. Very English.
Enter Lady Barbara Wellesley! The pointless mission involving El Supremo was frustrating, but it's all okay now that Horatio has something other than Maria and duty to think about.