A review by deegee24
Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

The second book in the Hornblower series, it has a more continuous plot than the first one. The main plot concerns Hornblower proving his leadership qualities as a junior officer during a British campaign against the Spanish in Haiti. The Haitian slave revolt is mentioned in passing but not dealt with directly. Much of the book is from the point of view of Bush, another officer who has more seniority than Hornblower but who recognizes him as a superior strategist and soldier. The book is plot-driven, but the main characters do develop gradually. The biggest flaw is with the late introduction of a female character, Maria, the daughter of an innkeeper and Hornblower's love interest. She isn't much more than a plot device here, though I suspect that Forester is setting up this relationship as a main plotline for the next book.