C. S. Forester

Links to C. S. Forester's books at amazon US, amazon UK, amazon CAN, and at Bokkilden and Haugenbok.

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, by C.S. Forester

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is actually the sixth book in the Hornblower saga, even though it is the first in terms of chronology. The first book C. S. Forester wrote about this now very famous fictional character, was Beat to Quarters, and that is still arguably the best Hornblower book to read first. However, many readers want to start with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, even though it is a little bit of a slow start.

In Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, young Horatio Hornblower is introduced to nautical life in a rather undistinguished fashion, as he arrives wet and a little seasick to the warship HMS Justinian while it is still in harbor! He is a painfully shy lad, and he soon falls under the power of one of those sadistic bullies the Royal Navy seemed to have so many of.

Midshipman Simpson, age thirty-three, has failed his examination for lieutenant too many times to ever expect promotion. He is said to be "diabolically clever at making other people's lives a burden to them”. And as Hornblower outshines him in the required mathematical studies on board, he soon receives Simpson's special attention.

Hornblower is desperate, and even briefly considers desertion and suicide. Then the bully accuses Horatio of cheating in cards – one of Hornblower’s great passions, and something which he excels in. This gives him an opportunity for an honorable escape from the bullying: Hornblower challenges him to a duel. However, as Hornblower is neither a great fencing master nor good with a pistol, he devices a smart scheme for the duel which will equalize the chances for him: The duelists are to have one loaded and one unloaded gun, and chose guns randomly. They are to fire at one another at a distance of on step. This, he considers, will give him an "even chance."

Horatio Hornblower is very intelligent, but he is also an awkward neophyte, both socially and nautically speaking. However, he learns fast, does not do the same mistake twice, has a strong will, and a willingness to learn. His superiors quickly recognize him as a man who will accomplish great things. And, through a series of challenges and adventures both in and out of combat, Hornblower discovers he is actually talented in both seamanship and leadership.

This first novel in the series is packed with action, and C. S. Forester is the grand master of naval action scenes. The storytelling is wonderful. As well, the book has lots of fascinating incident and detail. While certainly not the best in the magnificent Hornblower saga, it is a book you must read. The question is whether to do it sooner or later, but not whether or not.

Lieutenant Hornblower, by C. S. Forester

This is the second book in the chronology of the Hornblower saga, but the seventh in the publication sequence. Lieutenant Hornblower is set in 1803, several years after Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. Here Hornblower emerges from his apprenticeship as midshipman to assume the responsibilities that await him as a lieutenant. The book differs from the other books in the series, as it is not written Hornblower's point of view, but instead mostly from the viewpoint of Lieutenant Bush, a shipmate.

Bush joins the wardroom of the 74 gun ship of the line HMS Renown. Horatio Hornblower is the most junior lieutenant. The captain of the ship is a paranoid tyrant, Captain Sawyer, who is obsessed with the idea that his officers and midshipmen are conspiring to undermine his authority. It is a situation that breeds unhappiness and where trouble is brewing by the minute.

The lieutenants are terrorized by the captain, and wants to get rid of him, but do not dare to make any move. One night when they gather for a secret meeting. Captain Sawyer's informer somehow finds out, and the Captain comes chasing after them. Somehow, during the confusion that follows, the captain mysteriously stumbles and falls down a hatch. He is badly injured. Thus the first lieutenant, a weak and cautious man, takes command.

Following the orders assigned the Captain; they attack a Spanish fort on Haiti, force a surrender of the Spanish there, capture a lot of prisoners and three prizes, and set out for the nearest English harbor. On the way, the Spanish prisoners rise against the crew, and only fast and determined action from Hornblower saves the day for the English. In the end of the book, Hornblower has fallen on hard times. He is in London, without pay, and manages to stay afloat by playing whist professionally.

Forester’s development of the characters is elegant almost to the extreme. He forges a mutual bond between Bush and Hornblower slowly and gently. Bush is shown to be a decisive, strong, but somewhat unimaginative leader. More and more looks to Hornblower’s excellent leadership and command, and observes Hornblower's smooth and competent interaction both with juniors and seniors. Hornblower subtly guides his fellow officers to the right actions and decisions without overstepping the chain of command structure. Hornblower emerges as a man full of initiative and with a shrewd tactical mind.

A number of questions are left unanswered in Lieutenant Hornblower. Was Hornblower responsible for the captain's downfall? What is the relationship between Hornblower and the servant girl in London?

Lieutenant Hornblower is a very exciting, realistic, fast-paced novel with a lot of naval action. It is, of course, also elegantly and skillfully written by C. S. Forester. It is not a book to be missed. A classic in naval fiction!

Links to C. S. Forester's books at amazon US, amazon UK, amazon CAN, and at Bokkilden and Haugenbok.