Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester, C.S. Forester Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lieutenant Hornblower
Book Review: Forester is possibly the greatest Naval Fiction writer ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S Forester describes every action so clearly that you can almost hear the cannons firing. His fight scenes are wonderful, you can't help but love the main character, and the history... all together the series is one of the best historical fiction series ever written!Book Review: Great adventures on the high seas!
Summary: 5 Stars
As usual, wonderful stories of the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. One gets involved in his novels and will just want to read more about this time period and being part of the sealore!Book Review: Hornblower as we wished he were
Summary: 4 Stars
Hornblower has a "hand?" in a near-mutiny against a paranoid and exasperatingly capricious captain (who has none of the real brilliance and fortitude of Capt. Bly of Mutiny on the Bounty), spurs gallant plans and vaulting action against the Spanish on Hayte during Toussaint's slave revolt, suffers an inquiry, and is put ashore to live by his card-wits. Despite being set on the West Indies station, the deadliest in all the budding British Empire, no seamen here suffer from tropical disease. Forester writes unevenly here, rather than sustaining the glories of the original trilogy (Books 6-8). This is partially due to our viewing Hornblower only through the eyes of another lieutenant, Bush, who is stolidly dull (Forester resorts to telling us what Bush's inchoate feelings WOULD be if only he could express them!). At least we can't see Hornblower's self-doubt that tiresomely emerges in later books whenever he awaits the onset of action (a small price to pay for such glorious stories). In this story, Bush witnesses the emergence of Hornblower's seeming deference and the brilliant tactical and interpersonal skills that blossom in his later commands.Book Review: Hornblower leads by subtle suggestion
Summary: 5 Stars
Lieutenant Hornblower occurs second in the series by internal chronology, though it was the seventh-written book. Unlike every other book in the series, this one is related from the point of view of Lieutenant William Bush. This alternate point of view allows Hornblower to be presented as a legitimately heroic figure, though it does deprive the reader of the internal thought process of the series' protagonist. The text provides solid background on Hornblower's early career as a lieutenant. Written as a novel, it paces well and has an authentic texture. Indeed, the small-scale combat action is so gripping that in many ways the book eclipses volumes in the series which deal with Hornblower's later career.
Plot Summary (with spoilers):
The novel takes place from May 1800 to March 1803 aboard a cruise of HMS Renown, a 74-gun frigate. The ship's captain, Sawyer, is dangerously paranoid and believes the lieutenants and warrant officers are plotting mutiny against him. To circumvent their putative desire, Sawyer panders to the crew, encouraging them to be lazy and insolent, and issues additional rations of grog. The situation becomes untenable as Renown reaches its cruising grounds near Haiti. Even so, nobody will take the decision action of attempting to remove Sawyer from command.
Fortunately, Sawyer falls down a hatchway and receives a serious injury. There is intrigue surrounding his fall, but no actual witnesses to the accident. Upon Sawyer's physical recovery it is evident his mind is gone--he sobs hysterically and cringes away from everyone. Buckland, the senior lieutenant, takes ostensible command. The unimaginative Buckland botches the ship's primary mission, but disaster is averted when Hornblower proposes an audacious recovery.
From that point forward, it is Hornblower who guides the ship as he influences Buckland subtly but correctly. Indeed, the theme of Hornblower leading his superior officers is a dominant thread in the narrative. The ship carries out other duties with great success until Hornblower is placed aboard a prize--whereupon Renown is almost seized by prisoners. Hornblower once again comes to the rescue and recaptures the ship. The novel ends with Hornblower losing his job because of the Peace of Amiens. He takes up lodging in a public house, makes a meager living by playing whist, develops his friendship with Bush, and meets the young Marie Mason.
Book Review: Hornblower's Career Takes Off
Summary: 5 Stars
There is one word that best describes the Hornblower novels: Adventure! And 'Lieutenant Hornblower' is no exception. Indeed this is the novel where Hornblower's career in the Royal Navy really begins. From dealing with a half mad Captain to fighting off a Spanish attack on the decks of his ship this is one of the best of the Hornblower novels.