DDC/MDS
| 823.912 |
Publication
Boston : Little Brown and company, 1950.
Original publication date
1950
Description
The year is 1793, the eve of the Napoleonic Wars, and Horatio Hornblower, a seventeen-year-old boy unschooled in seafaring and the ways of seamen, is ordered to board a French merchant ship and take command of crew and cargo for the glory of England. 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 novel-in which young Horatio gets his sea legs, proves his mettle, and shows the makings of the legend he will become-is the first of the eleven swashbuckling Hornblower tales that are today regarded as classic adventure stories of the sea.
Status
Available
Call number
Collection
User reviews
LibraryThing member atimco
I have been wanting to start the Hornblower series for quite awhile, and when I saw this audiobook at the library I decided it was time to jump aboard (ha). Though Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is the sixth book published in the series, it's actually the first chronologically. So I went into this
Horatio Hornblower is a gangling, intelligent, shy boy of seventeen who has just been accepted as a midshipman aboard the HMS Justinian in January 1794. The story follows his experiences on various English frigates cruising the oceans to capture French ships and blockade the French coast. Hornblower is a fascinating character, reserved and painfully aware of both his duties and his shortcomings, while never seeming to grasp his talents. He is extremely modest, even to the point of lying about his achievements to his senior officers to punish himself for the negligence they did not see as worthy of punishment. This type of morality may seem almost morbid, and Hornblower's sense of right and wrong is strangely convoluted in some scenarios. But in Hornblower, this blind spot is hard to revile. He is such a sympathetic and relatable character, and the choices he makes are always based on what he perceives as the right course.
Each of the ten chapters focuses on a single event, which gives the book a very episodic feel. In one chapter he fights a duel under unheard-of conditions; in another, he is made prize-captain of a captured vessel that breaks apart under his feet. He rescues Spanish sailors, fights in daring sea battles, languishes in prison, sets a ship afire, and even captains an impromptu Noah's Ark. It is loosely a coming-of-age story, showing how Hornblower makes his way from lowly midshipman to lieutenant, but it's a thin thread and the novel could almost be a set of related short stories. After I got used to it, I grew to enjoy this approach.
The historical details are very good and I appreciated how Forester assumes his readers know the names of things aboard ship and the general conventions of the British Navy. I wasn't familiar with many of the terms he uses, but was able to pick up their basic meaning from context. I think we learn more that way than if Forester had gone into ponderous explanations to the landlubbers.
I understand there is also a popular miniseries starring Ioan Gruffudd. Can any Forester fans tell me if it's worth checking out? I've heard mostly good things but it's always best to get the opinion of the book fans first!
Geoffrey Howard narrates this and does an excellent job. His style takes a little getting used to, but once I adjusted I found it perfect for the story. Overall, I enjoyed this maiden voyage with the famous Hornblower, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
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knowing nothing of how C. S. Forester is going to develop Hornblower in the rest of the series (well, beyond the titles which give his various ranks away!). I found it to be top-notch nautical fiction with a fair dash of piercing insight into relationships and motivations. Forester writes great seafaring action but his observations of human nature are also engaging.Horatio Hornblower is a gangling, intelligent, shy boy of seventeen who has just been accepted as a midshipman aboard the HMS Justinian in January 1794. The story follows his experiences on various English frigates cruising the oceans to capture French ships and blockade the French coast. Hornblower is a fascinating character, reserved and painfully aware of both his duties and his shortcomings, while never seeming to grasp his talents. He is extremely modest, even to the point of lying about his achievements to his senior officers to punish himself for the negligence they did not see as worthy of punishment. This type of morality may seem almost morbid, and Hornblower's sense of right and wrong is strangely convoluted in some scenarios. But in Hornblower, this blind spot is hard to revile. He is such a sympathetic and relatable character, and the choices he makes are always based on what he perceives as the right course.
Each of the ten chapters focuses on a single event, which gives the book a very episodic feel. In one chapter he fights a duel under unheard-of conditions; in another, he is made prize-captain of a captured vessel that breaks apart under his feet. He rescues Spanish sailors, fights in daring sea battles, languishes in prison, sets a ship afire, and even captains an impromptu Noah's Ark. It is loosely a coming-of-age story, showing how Hornblower makes his way from lowly midshipman to lieutenant, but it's a thin thread and the novel could almost be a set of related short stories. After I got used to it, I grew to enjoy this approach.
The historical details are very good and I appreciated how Forester assumes his readers know the names of things aboard ship and the general conventions of the British Navy. I wasn't familiar with many of the terms he uses, but was able to pick up their basic meaning from context. I think we learn more that way than if Forester had gone into ponderous explanations to the landlubbers.
I understand there is also a popular miniseries starring Ioan Gruffudd. Can any Forester fans tell me if it's worth checking out? I've heard mostly good things but it's always best to get the opinion of the book fans first!
Geoffrey Howard narrates this and does an excellent job. His style takes a little getting used to, but once I adjusted I found it perfect for the story. Overall, I enjoyed this maiden voyage with the famous Hornblower, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
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LibraryThing member iayork
Fun but choppy: This book introduces Horatio Hornblower to life at sea, where he must face down his own seasickness and the oppressions of an angrily underperforming senior midshipman. That accomplished, he embarks on a series of adventures and generally comes out on top. Each of the episodes is
If you are interested in reading the Hornblower series, I would recommend starting with Beat to Quarters, which Forester wrote first but is located in the middle of the series, and then reading Midshipman Hornblower.
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entertaining and well-written, but the book has a choppy feel and is easy to put down from time to time. If you are interested in reading the Hornblower series, I would recommend starting with Beat to Quarters, which Forester wrote first but is located in the middle of the series, and then reading Midshipman Hornblower.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: When young Horatio Hornblower joins the Royal Navy in 1794, it is not immediately clear that the life of a sailor is for him. For one thing, he's seasick before he can even report for duty, and his inexperience with the naval life is something that's all too clear to his fellow midshipmen.
Review: I have absolutely no explanation as to why I love the Age of Sail so much… maybe I read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle at exactly the right impressionable age? (Probably a combination of that and the movie "White Squall" and all of its mid-90s cute boy glory catching me square in the teens.) Anyways, I love the Age of Sail (or if we're being less formal, "British boys on boats"), so I of course have watched the A&E Hornblower mini-series many, many times. But I've shockingly never read much of the now-classic source material. I read Master and Commander a long time ago (pre-blog), and enjoyed it, but was a little flummoxed by all the rigging and sail and other shipboard terminology, and I wonder if that didn't scare me off of naval adventures for a while. But regardless, I'm glad I finally tried again, because Mr. Midshipman Hornblower was totally understandable, and quite fun.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is not a novel proper, but a series of short stories detailing the first few years of Hornblower's career. Some of the stories are relatively self-contained, but most of them have some interconnections - what happens in one affects Hornblower's position in the next - and some flow together so much that they seem like one contiguous plot. So the result is a book that is episodic, certainly, but in the way that I would expect a naval life would be episodic. The action, when it comes, is fast-paced and exciting, as well as being relatively easy for a land-lubber to follow. And even though this book was not written first, Forester does a good job of starting Hornblower's character off young, and having him grow and mature as he goes through this book, with his personality and intelligence and honor intact.
So, overall, I enjoyed this book, although I can't say how much of that is based on the book itself, and how much is based on the fact that the book reminded me of the movies, which I love. I wasn't totally enthralled with it - its episodic nature meant that it was easy to put down without being anxious to pick it back up again, and Hornblower's maybe just a little too noble and good at things to be the world's most compelling protagonist. But I'll certainly be reading more, to see how I fare with a full-length novel (and eventually one that they haven't yet made into a movie!) 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: I've seen recommendations against starting with this book, since it's short stories, and was written later. I can't offer opinions on that score, other to say that I thought it was a fine place to start, but if you're not already familiar with the character from the miniseries, I can see how a full-length novel might be better.
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But through a series of adventures (and misadventures), aboard the H.M.S. Justinian and later aboard the H.M.S. Indefatigable, facing down French ships, captured prisoners, Bubonic plague, Spanish prison, and the dreaded test for lieutenant, Hornblower soon finds his sea legs - and his gift for leadership.Review: I have absolutely no explanation as to why I love the Age of Sail so much… maybe I read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle at exactly the right impressionable age? (Probably a combination of that and the movie "White Squall" and all of its mid-90s cute boy glory catching me square in the teens.) Anyways, I love the Age of Sail (or if we're being less formal, "British boys on boats"), so I of course have watched the A&E Hornblower mini-series many, many times. But I've shockingly never read much of the now-classic source material. I read Master and Commander a long time ago (pre-blog), and enjoyed it, but was a little flummoxed by all the rigging and sail and other shipboard terminology, and I wonder if that didn't scare me off of naval adventures for a while. But regardless, I'm glad I finally tried again, because Mr. Midshipman Hornblower was totally understandable, and quite fun.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is not a novel proper, but a series of short stories detailing the first few years of Hornblower's career. Some of the stories are relatively self-contained, but most of them have some interconnections - what happens in one affects Hornblower's position in the next - and some flow together so much that they seem like one contiguous plot. So the result is a book that is episodic, certainly, but in the way that I would expect a naval life would be episodic. The action, when it comes, is fast-paced and exciting, as well as being relatively easy for a land-lubber to follow. And even though this book was not written first, Forester does a good job of starting Hornblower's character off young, and having him grow and mature as he goes through this book, with his personality and intelligence and honor intact.
So, overall, I enjoyed this book, although I can't say how much of that is based on the book itself, and how much is based on the fact that the book reminded me of the movies, which I love. I wasn't totally enthralled with it - its episodic nature meant that it was easy to put down without being anxious to pick it back up again, and Hornblower's maybe just a little too noble and good at things to be the world's most compelling protagonist. But I'll certainly be reading more, to see how I fare with a full-length novel (and eventually one that they haven't yet made into a movie!) 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: I've seen recommendations against starting with this book, since it's short stories, and was written later. I can't offer opinions on that score, other to say that I thought it was a fine place to start, but if you're not already familiar with the character from the miniseries, I can see how a full-length novel might be better.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I'm a great fan of the Hornblower series as a whole, which I'd certainly give five stars, but this volume isn't where I'd start even though it's the first chronologically. When a friend recommended Hornblower to me back in high school, he told me to start rather with the third book, published
Hornblower was the inspiration for Star Trek's Captain James Kirk, as well as Cornwall's Sharpe. Hornblower is more cerebral and socially awkward than Kirk, more educated and refined than Sharpe. In his own right, Hornblower is certainly an engaging and complex character and the series is an interesting study in leadership, and a fascinating portrait of life at sea in the age of sail.
This book that follows his exploits as a midshipman is more a collection of short stories than a unified novel and among the weaker books in the series. Even years later though, several of those stories stick in my mind, particular the first one, "Hornblower and the Even Chance."
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earlier, Hornblower and the Hotspur, where the hero is mature and fully realized. Once you fall in love in that novel with Horatio Hornblower, a British naval officer during the Napoleonic wars, then going back to the beginning of his naval career will hold your fascination and seeing the origins of familiar quirks will bring a smile--in fact all the more if you read more of the later books like the first published, Beat to Quarters, before reading this one. Hornblower was the inspiration for Star Trek's Captain James Kirk, as well as Cornwall's Sharpe. Hornblower is more cerebral and socially awkward than Kirk, more educated and refined than Sharpe. In his own right, Hornblower is certainly an engaging and complex character and the series is an interesting study in leadership, and a fascinating portrait of life at sea in the age of sail.
This book that follows his exploits as a midshipman is more a collection of short stories than a unified novel and among the weaker books in the series. Even years later though, several of those stories stick in my mind, particular the first one, "Hornblower and the Even Chance."
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LibraryThing member lorax
This is not the first book in the series. Do not start here.
I don't know what Back Bay Books was thinking when they decided to number the current edition of the Hornblower books in chronological, rather than publication, order, but it really doesn't work well in that order. This is one of the
Unlike the other books in the series that I've read (I haven't read the last few yet), this is episodic, almost reading like a series of short stories that were relabeled as chapters; each chapter is a self-contained incident in the life of young Hornblower. The episodes vary in quality, but the main reason this book is weaker than the rest is simply that there isn't the space for a sustained narrative, and I don't think the genre lends itself well to short stories.
I don't know what Back Bay Books was thinking when they decided to number the current edition of the Hornblower books in chronological, rather than publication, order, but it really doesn't work well in that order. This is one of the
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weaker volumes in the series, and does not serve well as an introduction. Most of the interest in this book comes from seeing Hornblower's known quirks and mannerisms develop, and if you haven't already been introduced to the character the relevance will be lost. If you react to Hornblower's seasickness with "oh, poor kid, he's so new he's still seasick" rather than with a smile of recognition, you're missing a lot of the point.Unlike the other books in the series that I've read (I haven't read the last few yet), this is episodic, almost reading like a series of short stories that were relabeled as chapters; each chapter is a self-contained incident in the life of young Hornblower. The episodes vary in quality, but the main reason this book is weaker than the rest is simply that there isn't the space for a sustained narrative, and I don't think the genre lends itself well to short stories.
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LibraryThing member callmecayce
Not being a big fan of historical fiction, I wasn't sure I would like a book about sailing during the Napoleonic Wars. Turns out, though, that I absolutely loved this book. It's the first in the Hornblower series and it's a great introduction to the character of Horatio Hornblower. The book is made
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up of several interconnected short stories that take place over several years. They begin with 17-year old Horatio boarding his first ship, and end with an older, though not always wiser, Horatio captaining a captured French vessel into Spanish territory. What makes these stories so good is how well Forester writes of Horatio's experiences. His writing is so vivid that it's hard not to see yourself by Horatio's side, suffering as he does. I plan to eventually read the remaining novels, especially since this was such a good introduction. Show Less
LibraryThing member JBreedlove
The first of the Hornblower series. Told in an episodic fashion it gives a glimpse into what the life if the sea may have been like in the late 18th century. Foresters descriptive writing of tall ship command during the Napoleonic wars and of Hornblower's dauntless career makes for a good read. If
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only Forester would have written a book covering a complete episode. Show Less
LibraryThing member ocianain
When I become dictator of the world the first thing I will do (OK second after smacking down the grammar police) will be to introduce good books into highschool reading lists. The Hornblower books will be on them.
LibraryThing member BruderBane
This novel is a hearty romp through late 18th century English maritime history as seen through the eyes of a young gawky Hornblower. Although a coming of age book, it packs more cargo than similar books. If you’re use to reading Cornwell, this first foray into the life of Hornblower is
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reminiscent of Sharpe lite. Show Less
LibraryThing member dagwood
First book I ever read concerning British naval history. My only regret is that I never got to watch the series bring this book alive. Oh well, Forester wrote well enough I felt like I was on the ship myself.
LibraryThing member patience_crabstick
I wouldn't call this the best of C.S. Forrester's Hornblower novels, but it shows you Horatio at the beginning of his career, something that you really want to see if you started reading these books in the order they were published in rather than in chronological order according to Horatio's
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career. Just because it isn't the best Hornblower novel doesn't mean it isn't good, it's just that it's somewhat disjointed, as if each chapter was published separately as a short story, which may be the case--I don't know. Certainly, if you've seen the Hornblower movie, you will want to read this book--the duel is portrayed so much more elegantly in the book than in the novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
The Hornblower series is widely immitated in everything from historical fiction (e.g. Alexander Kent's Richard Bolitho stories) to science fiction (e.g. David Weber's Honor Harrington stories) to fantasy (e.g. Naomi Novik's Will Laurence stories). I think this is quite justified as, taken as a
I find the middle books the best of this series. Since they weren't written chronologically, I can only assume that the most fertile ground for exciting yarns were once he assumes some command, but before he becomes an admiral.
This one, the first chronologically, is not that good except as part of the larger whole. I wouldn't have warmed to Hornblower if this was the first one I read (I started with Beat to Quarters) and the stories in it are a bit disjointed.
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whole, they are a lot of fun.I find the middle books the best of this series. Since they weren't written chronologically, I can only assume that the most fertile ground for exciting yarns were once he assumes some command, but before he becomes an admiral.
This one, the first chronologically, is not that good except as part of the larger whole. I wouldn't have warmed to Hornblower if this was the first one I read (I started with Beat to Quarters) and the stories in it are a bit disjointed.
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LibraryThing member Homechicken
This is _the_ classic nautical adventure story. Forget Treasure Island, you need to read Horatio Hornblower! This first (chronological but not by publish date) book is split into several short stories, each one following on the heels of the other, but separate still. I found it a fun read and
Mr Midshipman Hornblower servers aboard the Indefatigable and has several adventures, captures and is captured by several privateers, etc. Mr. Hornblower rises in the ranks, distinguishing himself above others but still makes mistakes. Like killing a cow a day for 18 seamen over three weeks. Anyway, please read this series, it's a classic.
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highly recommend it to anyone that likes boats or 18th century life.Mr Midshipman Hornblower servers aboard the Indefatigable and has several adventures, captures and is captured by several privateers, etc. Mr. Hornblower rises in the ranks, distinguishing himself above others but still makes mistakes. Like killing a cow a day for 18 seamen over three weeks. Anyway, please read this series, it's a classic.
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LibraryThing member emmerdales
I very much liked this book, though I am still not sure whether or not I liked the way it was set up. There are ten chapters which each serve as a sort of short story or episode. I enjoyed myself while reading the book, but, I must admit, I have forgotten most of what it was I read.
LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan
This is not the first Hornblower novel ever written, but it is the first in the series chronology. It tells the tale of Horatio Hornblower's first voyages in the 1790's as a midshipman in His Majesty's Navy. Actually, I should say "tales", as the book is more like a collection of short stories
--J.
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rather than a single narrative. While he doesn't quite explore strange, new worlds, Hornblower does have some interesting adventures as he faces the dangers--of both man and nature--on land and sea. It's definitely a keeper.--J.
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LibraryThing member bell7
The sixth published but first chronologically in the Hornblower series, this book covers the very beginning of Horatio Hornblower's naval service from when he was 17 to 20. The book is episodic, each chapter almost its own short story, and I was somewhat surprised by the tell-rather-than-show
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description of characters in what I knew to be a classic. At the same time, the story was a quick read, funny, and I could see recommending it to someone who wanted a sea-faring adventure to read. Purposely read to broaden my knowledge of the adventure genre, it's not the type of book I would typically choose. Show Less
LibraryThing member SerpensLiber
“What can you say about a classic. I loved the A&E recreation and hence came back to re-read them all. This first book moves quickly and enjoyed every minute of it. I could not put it down. The book is historically accurate, and full of action. Hornblower is such an interesting character, because
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while he is the hero he is never 100% positive of himself. Not a typical American Hero like John Wayne, more of a reluctant hero. I will press on with book #2. Of course the books weren't written in this order, but I have chosen to read them in time line sequence as opposed to publication order.” Show Less
LibraryThing member eenerd
The first book in the Horatio Hornblower series, this book does not disappoint. Plenty of action, plenty of adventure, lots of awesome nautical detail, in addition to plenty of human drama and a dash of humor. Wonderful writing, and it's done in such a way that is almost a chronology of events, and
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good for folks who only get to read in short dashes of time. Horatio Hornblower is a great character, and one that appears will be fun to watch. Show Less
LibraryThing member ASBiskey
This is the first Hornblower book that I have read. I have read man Jack Aubrey books by Patrick O'Brian, so I was wondering how they would compare. I was pleasantly surprised. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. This book covers the beginning of Hornblower's career, from a seasick
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midshipmen, to commander of a prize vessel, to prisoner of war. Hornblower demonstrates an ability to analyze a situation and determine the best course of action. Forester includes many of Hornblower's self doubts, including questioning wether it would be better to be dead than to be in his predicaments. I thought that this was an excellent book about an interesting character in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars. Show Less
LibraryThing member DrBrewhaha
Apparently, Forester's Hornblower is much beloved. However, I could not get into this book and I could not finish it. It is chock full with so much naval terminology that the story was completely buried. Maybe it was just a bad time to try and read this book and maybe I'll try another time. But for
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now, I will stay away from the 12-volume Hornblower series. Show Less
LibraryThing member AJBraithwaite
I was introduced to the Hornblower books as a young teenager by my dad. I read and reread them in those years, but haven't revisted them for many years. When I found this one on the library's ebook system, I couldn't resist the temptation to immerse myself in it again and fall in love with Horatio
I'd forgotten that this volume is more of a series of short stories than a novel, unlike some of the other Hornblower books, but it doesn't detract too much from the enjoyment. I remember not really understanding much of the naval terminology when I first read the book as a 13- or 14-year-old - but you pick it up as you go along.
I might just have to reread the rest of them now...
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Hornblower all over again.I'd forgotten that this volume is more of a series of short stories than a novel, unlike some of the other Hornblower books, but it doesn't detract too much from the enjoyment. I remember not really understanding much of the naval terminology when I first read the book as a 13- or 14-year-old - but you pick it up as you go along.
I might just have to reread the rest of them now...
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LibraryThing member dougwood57
Chronologically speaking, `Mr. Midshipman Hornblower' begins C.S. Forester's great age of sail naval adventure series, but was the sixth book when published 1950. Unlike Patrick O'Brian, Forester did not shy away from `prequels' in his 11 book series. `Mr. Midshipman Hornblower' is a collection of
By the way, both O'Brian and Forester based their stories in part on the real life adventures of Captain Lord Thomas Cochrane, the 10th Earl of Dundonald. Indeed, Cochrane led a fire ship attack on the French fleet anchored in Basque Roads on the west coast of France in 1809. O'Brian featured the use of fireships in more than one of his books, including one story that was clearly based on Cochrane's attack. O'Brian gave a much more detailed description of their use than Forester does.
Readers interested in historical accounts may want to check out Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf and more generally Every Man Will Do His Duty: An Anthology of Firsthand Accounts from the Age of Nelson.
Highly recommended. `Mr. Midshipman Hornblower' is a good starting point in historical fiction for fans of the age of sail.
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nine short stories that feature plenty of action, including the effect of water on a cargo of rice and a flotilla of fireships interrupting Horatio's lieutenant examination. By the way, both O'Brian and Forester based their stories in part on the real life adventures of Captain Lord Thomas Cochrane, the 10th Earl of Dundonald. Indeed, Cochrane led a fire ship attack on the French fleet anchored in Basque Roads on the west coast of France in 1809. O'Brian featured the use of fireships in more than one of his books, including one story that was clearly based on Cochrane's attack. O'Brian gave a much more detailed description of their use than Forester does.
Readers interested in historical accounts may want to check out Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf and more generally Every Man Will Do His Duty: An Anthology of Firsthand Accounts from the Age of Nelson.
Highly recommended. `Mr. Midshipman Hornblower' is a good starting point in historical fiction for fans of the age of sail.
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LibraryThing member JohnDiehl
If you're a sailing buff then Mr. Forester will take you aboard with Hornblower and give you an excellent tale of the British navy and its desire to protect the oceans from its enemies.
LibraryThing member Nikkles
All of the Hornblower books are fantastic adventure novels. The story is written in an elevated way without detracting the reader of pushing them out of the prose. Everything works together in this book to make it the enjoyable classic that it is. It is good your young adults and adults alike.
LibraryThing member mykl-s
I probably read all the Hornblower books, learning about, sailing ships along the way.
Subjects
Physical description
310 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
0316289094 / 9780316289092