Product Description

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 her size. At the center of each adventure is Hornblower, Forester's most inspired creation, whose blend of cautious preparation and spirited execution dazzles friend and foe alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37456 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 342 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780316289290
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Reviews

A wonderful tale, and very period-enlightening; a must-read.
C.S. Forester creates an outstanding image of life aboard a Napoeonic-era British naval vessel, with a fascinating insight into the mind of the main character... Captain Horatio Hornblower. With assignments ranging from England to Sicily to Turkey, the crew of the Atropos must deal with everything from doldrums to privateers to political maneuvering... with words where possible, and carronade-fire when they must. To borrow an over-used term, it is a gripping tale and one that any lover of naval adventure *must* read.

3.5 stars -- occasionally drags, but still good
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.

4 recovered treasures for Hornblower
In previous Hornblower novels as well as other fictional stories, C.S. Forester never failed to deliver an enjoyable story. Hornblower and the Atropos is an enjoyable story although perhaps not one of the strongest of the series. It is more a collection of short stories than a novel and perhaps can be enjoyed best in that light.

Hornblower and the Atropos begins with Hornblower, his pregnant wife and child travelling along the canals of England to Hornblower's new posting. The trip is interesting in its description of the canal system and for its exploration of Hornblower's character and his relationship with his wife. Otherwise it has little relation to the subsequent action in the novel.

When Hornblower returns to duty his first task is to plan and choreograph Nelson's funeral, which he does with his usual combination of dedication, competence and self-doubt. I think that the only reason to put this scene in the novel is to show that Hornblower's star is rising. I also wonder if it was written at the time of George VI's death and might have been poignant to the British readers of the day.

HH's next task takes him to Turkey to recover a sunken treasure without causing a diplomatic incident. On his return he must interrupt an attack on a convoy along the way playing cat and mouse with enemy shipping.

The final scene on his return is a powerful counterpoint to the opening scene. However, the whole is not greater than the sum of individual actions. Hornblower and the Atropos is an enjoyable collection of short stories told with CSF's great gift for storytelling. As a novel it is weaker than its chronological predecessors but still well worth the time spent reading it.