Mr Midshipman Hornblower

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You see, I’ve always believed in a still slightly autistic adulthood that virtue, and not swagger and a strutting attitude, yields the best rewards. It's still finely-written adventure fiction set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, with plenty of shattering broadsides and falling masts, and quieter moments of reflection as well; and Hornblower is a fascinating, queer and crossgrained character. Finch tells Hornblower that God's in the maintop and the devil's in the cable tier during the dog watches. When viewed from a 3rd part narrator, as he is in some of the novels through Leftenant Bush, he seems cold and aloof, but when you are inside his brain, it is a shocking counterpoint.

Then the members of the examination board arrived Captains Foster ( HMS Dreadnought), Harvey (shipyard), and Charles Hammond ( HMS Calypso).On the way, he finds himself surrounded by enemy ships in the dense fog and is captured then imprisoned for two whole years. For into such dark checkmates were the plans of the moral flyweights I knew in my career intended to lead their victims! Still, this story (the longest yet) provides insight into the inner workings and behaviors of soldiers and sailors alike. I didn’t realize this tour of his midshipmen phase was written as a prequel to a set of five that took him from lieutenant to squadron commodore. Though not an unqualified success, this first naval adventure teaches the young midshipman enough to launch him on a series of increasingly glorious exploits.

This alone could re-establish him in his own eyes, and when the words were spoken, he felt enormous relief, and not one single twinge of regret. The writing here is vivid; you get a really powerful picture of the hard and dangerous character of naval life in that day as you experience, along with the hero, the palms of his hands being flayed bloody by having to slide down a rough rope from a falling mast, or the winter cold and wet of the waves constantly breaking over him in an open boat. The chapter ends with Foster, impressed by Hornblower's actions, telling Hornblower that, since the attack prevented him from failing the examination, he should "Be thankful for small mercies. All hands are diverted to fighting the fire, which soon breaks out on the deck and spreads to the rigging, immediately slowing the vessel. He does not strike you as a capable military officer; but he is undoubtedly brilliant, and an excellent commander.It would have been fun to see a more substantial, carefully crafted arc for Hornblower or to see the stories tied together into a significant plot, but honestly I didn't mind too much once I knew what to expect. He studied medicine at Guy's Hospital, and after leaving Guy's without a degree he turned to writing as a career. And on these occasions, Hornblower comes through, earning the reader's respect and setting a good example.

Come nella tradizione, l'ultimo capitolo è il migliore e più avvincente di tutti, e non fa pentire di avere già pronto nello scaffale il secondo volume della serie. Pulling for Calypso they came across a brig on fire caught on the Santa Barbara's cable endangering some two thousand prisoners. Given the success of their mission Hornblower realises the loss of the jolly boat will not be held against him, but still regrets the inevitable death of Hales.

Hornblower, jumping for the weather mizzen–shrouds, saw the eager grins on half a dozen faces—battle and the imminent possibility of death were a welcome change from the eternal monotony of the blockade. The historical detail, however, is spot on, as are all the nautical details; and you can always rely on Forrester to deliver a rollicking good adventure story.