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10th out of 100 books
—
75 voters
Hornblower and the Atropos (Hornblower Saga: Chronological Order #5)
In the wake of a humbling incident aboard a canal boat in the Cotswolds, young Captain Horatio Hornblower arrives in London to take command of the Atropos, a 22-gun sloop barely large enough to require a captain. Her first assignment under Hornblower's command is as flagship for the funeral procession of Lord Nelson. Soon Atropos is part of the Mediterranean Fleet's harass...more
Paperback, 342 pages
Published
April 30th 1985
by Back Bay Books
(first published 1953)
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I needed a good read over the weekend and chose this one. It appears I read it earlier this year and enjoyed it then, too.
About the only thing that really sticks out to me from this book is his complete hypocracy surrounding his marriage and his fatherhood. Sure, he spends some time with his toddler toward the end (and enjoys it), but he would really rather be on his ship. We do learn some more management techniques as he manages the people under him and the Admirals over him. We gain insight in
...more
This review is for the complete 11-book series of THE HORNBLOWER SAGA by C.S. Forester, which I just finished reading last night.
[Note: Individual books have individual star ratings (mostly 5-star, a few 4-star), but the descriptive review will be the same for each, and encompass the entire series, as follows.]
Actually, I just finished reading the complete series for the second time, the first being as a teenager some 30 years ago.
It's remarkable to me that I have only just this moment realized...more
[Note: Individual books have individual star ratings (mostly 5-star, a few 4-star), but the descriptive review will be the same for each, and encompass the entire series, as follows.]
Actually, I just finished reading the complete series for the second time, the first being as a teenager some 30 years ago.
It's remarkable to me that I have only just this moment realized...more
A fun read, like most Hornblower books. And, like many Hornblower books, the parts are greater than the whole. Forester has wonderfully enjoyable episodes: Hornblower steering a barge on the way to his new command (accompanied by a disapproving Maria); Hornblower's ship beginning to sink as he leads the Nelson funeral procession; being saddled with a non-English speaking prince and his obnoxious equerry as part of his crew; treasure hunting with Ceylonese pearl divers off the Turkish coast; and...more
I found this book easier to put down than Lieutenant or Hotspur, but all that really reveals is that I am perhaps more fond of the Bush/Hornblower dynamic than Forester intends me to be. Bush isn't in this installation at all, and I like it less simply on account of his absence.
Personal preference aside, the plot twists are inventive and exciting, the new characters are interesting if not a bit too peripheral/under-used (I was hoping to see a little more of the German prince!) and Hornblower's c...more
Personal preference aside, the plot twists are inventive and exciting, the new characters are interesting if not a bit too peripheral/under-used (I was hoping to see a little more of the German prince!) and Hornblower's c...more
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I can't help but laugh at myself, as I try to formulate an opinion about this book. You see, reading this cycle is something of a throwback to my teenage years, when I devoured every Hornblower book I could find at my local library. Forester's creation was a hero grander than life for me at that time.
Fast-forward to 2012 and I am astonished by how my view of Horatio Hornblower has changed. Due to almost thirty years life experience and vastly increased knowledge of history, I see a young man, wh...more
Fast-forward to 2012 and I am astonished by how my view of Horatio Hornblower has changed. Due to almost thirty years life experience and vastly increased knowledge of history, I see a young man, wh...more
Summary: Another fun adventure with Captain Hornblower. Adventure, excitement and nautical fun.
Things I liked: The character of Hornblower continues to amuse. I also liked the fact that (view spoiler) it makes a very refreshing change from the typical everyone of the goodies is an absolute hero who's good at just about everything.
Things I thought could be improved: The book ends on a bit of cliff hanger that i...more
Things I liked: The character of Hornblower continues to amuse. I also liked the fact that (view spoiler) it makes a very refreshing change from the typical everyone of the goodies is an absolute hero who's good at just about everything.
Things I thought could be improved: The book ends on a bit of cliff hanger that i...more
Hornblower is a fascinating character, and for various reasons this is my favorite book of his so far. One reason is the supporting cast--the doctor required to heal the man he'd almost killed in duel, the Ceylonese divers dragged to a strange world to dive for lost treasure, the German princeling and grand-nephew of the King of England literally learning the ropes--all intrigued me. But Horatio's glum pessimism (a pessimism justified by events) and morbid self-doubt and self-absorption, combine...more
This is the 5th in the Hornblower saga. This book begins with Horatio Hornblower taking command of a 22 gun sloop called Atropos - the smallest ship in the British Navy to require a Captain. His 1st assignment is to arrange the funeral procession and man the flagship carrying the body of Lord Nelson. His next is to recover treasure that lies deep in Turkish waters. The 3rd was to scour the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, disorganise the Spanish coasting trade, gather information of the ha...more
Aug 05, 2011
Nicola
added it
I felt things moved a bit more slowly in this book with only a couple of storylines that meant Hornblower had to act in haste. Have to admit I get a bit sick of Hornblower telling himself off for spending time with or thinking of Maria and his children or feeling that they're diverting him from his duty - especially considering that Maria has to put up with him leaving without any notice whilst bringing up their kids on her own and doesn't actually seem to moan about it much!
This book is, again,...more
This book is, again,...more
I was rather leery of starting in on the Hornblower series. Without knowing anything about it aside from the period in which it was set and the period in which it was published, I had the notion it was going to be pulpy, melodramatic, and repetitious.
That couldn't be farther from the truth. In this book, as, indeed, in the whole series, Forester presents a splendidly realistic hero, full of both foibles and virtues. His historical setting is engrossing and obviously well researched. It still doe...more
That couldn't be farther from the truth. In this book, as, indeed, in the whole series, Forester presents a splendidly realistic hero, full of both foibles and virtues. His historical setting is engrossing and obviously well researched. It still doe...more
OK, so bureaucratic fumblings might not seem like riveting story material, but I am weak in the face of history, and Forester always makes me feel like I'm living the time, so yes, good book. And then adventure on the High Seas on top of that. And Hornblower's amazingly awkward relationship with Maria, and it makes me *so* uncomfortable, and yet I also kind of like the awfulness of it. (Though as ever, I really, really wish Maria would fall out of love with Hornblower and they could just be supe...more
This is the first Hornblower book written by CS Forester even though chronologically, it is the 4th in the series. This was written after a movie script had fallen through and I think that style of writing comes through in this novel. The other novels don't seem to carry the same sort of theatrical drama that this one does. I didn't really care for that aspect of the book and was rather disappointed in some ways but I there were other parts of it that I loved and found myself really thinking abo...more
It has been awhile since I read this one, but I have fond memories of reading it. The funeral mishap that occurs at the beginning of the novel is brilliant, and showcases Forester's great ability to fill a story to the brim with suspense both inside and outside of battle. Simple conversations become engaging duels. An important ceremony becomes, for our hero, a crisis. And the story concludes with a treasure-hunting mission that involves careful deception and wit. One of the better Hornblower no...more
In the wake of a humbling incident aboard a canal boat in the Cotswolds, young Captain Horatio Hornblower arrives in London to take command of the Atropos, a 22-gun sloop barely large enough to require a captain. Her first assignment under Hornblower's command is as flagship for the funeral procession of Lord Nelson. Soon Atropos is part of the Mediterranean Fleet's harassment of Napoleon, recovering treasure that lies deep in Turkish waters and boldly challenging a Spanish frigate several times...more
All of my Hornblower reviews are identical: simply a MUST READ. There are deeper, more detailed, and longer books (fictional and non-) about the period and the characters, but I've never found a book (much less a series) as captivating in character, rich in action, accurate in historical context, yet still with depth of character to make a reader care about the individuals as Forester's Hornblower books. I've read each again, and again, and again.
What a great adventure! Forester can really write. He gives great details about naval action, putting the reader right there in the middle of it all. He also gives a wonderful picture of Hornblower the man, with his internal struggles. He loves the life at sea, hard though it is, and is eternally committed and loyal to the Royal Navy. He experiences the power and confidence, but also the isolation of a captain at sea. A terrific read, highly recommended.
A typical sea faring adventure novel with some interesting sidelights: a trip on a canal in England and Nelson's funeral procession. I listened to the audio version and found the pompous accent of the reader a little off-putting, though this was probably simply meant to convey the formal talk of that age. But a good yarn with a number of twists and good character development of our hero.
Good Read, whats striking for me is each of the Hornblow's books tells a very different tale, not repetitive adventures. This book has three stories, the first one Nelson's burial is fun read, the second one recovering the gold is interesting but gets a bit drag with the in-depth explanation's on the workings of the mechanism. The last one was a typical naval adventure but with its twist.
Another terrific read from the Hornblower series. Plenty of adventure, but fewer battle events then normal, certainly less violence. Instead we have treasure hunting! Good stuff. Though some genuine sadness at the end. It does serve to humanize Hornblower, but begins the less likable aspect of his character regarding his attitude towards Maria, his wife.
The book was typical Hornblower as I know it thus far, however, we see Hornblower make strides in his character that I find disagreeable. The author does let you know that Hornblower's not treating his wife as he ought, but I'm not quite happy to have it so universally presented in Hornblower and his wife's interactions.
The pacing and narration never found their stride in this iteration of Captain H. Hornblower's adventures. Time and location could change significantly between paragraphs without warning, and the scenes that held still long enough to receive proper focus were rather dull. Nothing felt very consequential. Not a bad book, but a fairly indifferent one.
The Hornblower novels are good nautical history from the time of Nelson. Hornblower is a serious guy, so there's not much fun to them, but the action is good, the history and information on sailing the big ships is all solid. If you like one Hornblower novel, you'll like them all.
Great book! I love the weaving of real history with the fictional characters. I knew nothing of Trafalgar and Nelson before this read and I love that I gained a new appreciation and interest in this time period because of this. Horatio is a brilliant as ever and just as engaging.
This is the eighth complete book of the Hornblower series written by C.S. Forester although the fourth, or fifth if counting the uncompleted Hornblower and the Crisis, in chronological order.
Hornblower takes command of the Atropos which is aptly named for the fates seem aligned against him in this saga as he must overcome sinking barges, duels, underwater demolition, and duplicitious Turks.
Despite his own misgiving Hornblower triumps as usual although tragedy awaits his return home.
It is importa...more
Hornblower takes command of the Atropos which is aptly named for the fates seem aligned against him in this saga as he must overcome sinking barges, duels, underwater demolition, and duplicitious Turks.
Despite his own misgiving Hornblower triumps as usual although tragedy awaits his return home.
It is importa...more
I recorded all of C.S. Forester's Hornblower books in 50-55 minute episodes for Golden Hours, my local radio service for blind and reading-impaired listeners. Too bad I didn't make CD copies for myself, since the radio station broadcast the tape versions and then erased them too reuse.
I guess I'll have to re-record them for Golden Hours and this time keep a copy.
I have read and re-read the entire Hornblower series over a dozens times each, three times aloud: once from the upper bunk to my brothe...more
I guess I'll have to re-record them for Golden Hours and this time keep a copy.
I have read and re-read the entire Hornblower series over a dozens times each, three times aloud: once from the upper bunk to my brothe...more
I really enjoyed this Hornblower! Actually, the more of them I read, the more I enjoy them, and that includes the unfinished HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS. In this one, Hornblower gets his first official command and organizes Nelson's funeral procession, raises sunken treasure, and plays cat-and-mouse with a Spanish ship many times his size. Delightful. Forester is endlessly inventive and knowledgeable without being heavy-handed, and he can evoke alternately smiles, dread, excitement, and pathos....more
I'm re-reading the Hornblower series from start to finish. As with the best series, I'm learning more and finding more to love. We recently acquired an excellent book to have alongside, a DK book that dissects a ship of Hornblower's time. Perfect!
Hornblower and the ‘Atropos’ – This one is very episodic in an annoying way. Apart from the one ship commanded throughout, there is no single thread to pull the reader along. Disappointing.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=735
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=735
When you rave about every book in a pretty long series, you run the risk that people will stop listening. I'm willing to take that risk.
The character of Hornblower continues to encourage and inspire me. He's not flawless, but he is willing to give heart and soul to a noble cause. It's refreshing to read literature with characters that care about something bigger than themselves.
The character of Hornblower continues to encourage and inspire me. He's not flawless, but he is willing to give heart and soul to a noble cause. It's refreshing to read literature with characters that care about something bigger than themselves.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any hidden meaning in the ship's name? | 2 | 11 | Jan 01, 2013 06:17am | |
| This might arguably be called book 5... | 3 | 22 | May 05, 2009 03:06pm |
Cecil Scott Forester was the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, an English novelist who rose to fame with tales of adventure and military crusades. His most notable works were the 11-book Horatio Hornblower series, about naval warfare during the Napoleonic era, and The African Queen (1935; filmed in 1951 by John Huston). His novels A Ship of the Line and Flying Colours were jointly awarded t...more
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“The cork was in the bottle. He and the Atropos were trapped.”
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