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Title: Hornblower and the Atropos by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0-316-28929-9 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 30 April, 1985 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (15 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Atropos: Slow Start, But Worth It!
Comment: The fourth novel in the Hornblower series takes it's time getting started, but once the action is engaged it doesn't let go. The story begins with Hornblower and his family travelling to London where Hornblower has been called to organize the funeral of the victor of Trafalgar, Admiral Nelson. After saving a near disaster to his career, Hornblower is ordered to search for sunken treasure off the Turkish coast. Along for the ride is a German prince and his aide who have a lot to learn about seamanship. And finally, Hornblower must make a choice about whether to accept the office of post Captain in a foreign navy or 'in spite of all temptations to belong to other nations, to remain an Englishman.' The novel really doesn't pick up until after Hornblower leaves England but it soon gains momentum and doesn't stop. C.S. Forester is truly one of the greatest writers of the 20th century and 'Hornblower and the Atropos' will attest to that.
Rating: 3
Summary: 3.5 stars -- occasionally drags, but still good
Comment: I would put this chapter in the life of Horatio Hornblower in the same category as Mr. Midshipman Hornblower -- good, not great
The 5th book in the Hornblower saga concerns a number of events related to Horatio's first command as Captain -- a 22-gun sloop of war. But it doesn't get there right away. First, we get a rather slow segment of Horatio guiding a canal boat into London, then an even slower segment in which Horatio is put in command of Lord Nelson's funeral procession. Both segments are interesting historically but drag in the narrative -- a rare occurance for Forester.
Once we get out to sea, the story picks with Horatio's tour of duty in the Mediterranean trying to recover sunken English treasure. It reaches its pinnacle with the dramatic confrontation between Horatio and the Turks.
I'm not sure why this didn't grip me the way the other novels did. There are some very good things about it -- the interesting dynamic with a German prince stationed aboard the Atropos for example. But the story spend a lot of time wallowing in irons instead of the usual racing before the wind. Horatio's character is static -- his usual daring and courage subdued. And the ending is rather abruptly tacked on.
Still, I will recommend this book as a good part of the Hornblower saga. But it's far from the best.
Rating: 5
Summary: Seafaring men with cunning and bravery.
Comment: Hornblower is promoted to Captain, a post rank, and quick advancement for a young officer. As the youngest Captain he gets the duty of organizing a funeral parade for Lord Nelson, during which his grand barge springs a leak and disaster is narrowly avoided. He then takes his small ship Atropos to the Mediterranean where he executes a daring and tricky salvage operation under the guns of a suspicious foreign port captain. Hornblower always manages to stir up some action. One of the best part of the whole Hornblower series is the accuracy and detail with which the life aboard vessels is depicted. You can almost feel the deck pitch. Great adventure in a great series.
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Title: Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316290637 Publisher: Little Brown & Company Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Commodore Hornblower by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289388 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 05 April, 1989 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289418 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 02 November, 1989 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Lord Hornblower by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289434 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 02 November, 1989 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289124 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 30 September, 1984 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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