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the_at_man's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
While the plot and writing are good, Forester manages to make his main character extremely unlikable. From unnecessary harshness and the desire to flog midshipmen for little reason to extreme rudeness and the simple fact that he hates music, Foresters Horatio Hornblower is perhaps the most unlikable character in the book.
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Style....................................0.75
Pacing...............................0.75
Enjoyment......................0.75
Memorability................0.5
Recommendability..0.75
Plot.......................................1
Characters.....................0.5
Setting...............................0.75
Originality........................0.75
Resolution........................0.75
Clarity................................NA
Focus..................................NA
Objectivity/Bias..........NA
Sources.............................NA
My Agreement..............NA
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10/10 Score: 7.25
5/5 Score: 3.75
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Style....................................0.75
Pacing...............................0.75
Enjoyment......................0.75
Memorability................0.5
Recommendability..0.75
Plot.......................................1
Characters.....................0.5
Setting...............................0.75
Originality........................0.75
Resolution........................0.75
Clarity................................NA
Focus..................................NA
Objectivity/Bias..........NA
Sources.............................NA
My Agreement..............NA
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10/10 Score: 7.25
5/5 Score: 3.75
cc_modeler's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
willdowney's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
holly_153's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
3.0
This story is mostly entertaining, although I remember the episode of Nelson's funeral as rather dreary, so I skipped over it this time. Hornblower is then sent to the Mediterranean, where at least the weather is somewhat better, and he has a reasonably successful time as captain of the little Atropos, while allowing Forester to display his research into further unusual aspects of naval life in the Napoleonic Wars.
The book was published in 1953, but the next book in the series ([b:The Happy Return|1466310|The Happy Return|C.S. Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348626767l/1466310._SY75_.jpg|1178411]) was published back in 1937, so Forester had to try to avoid continuity errors between the end of this one and the set-in-stone beginning of the next one. He did it competently but rather inelegantly, by suddenly removing from play any items that aren't present at the start of [b:The Happy Return|1466310|The Happy Return|C.S. Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348626767l/1466310._SY75_.jpg|1178411]; although these Acts of God cause some distress to his hero.
The book was published in 1953, but the next book in the series ([b:The Happy Return|1466310|The Happy Return|C.S. Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348626767l/1466310._SY75_.jpg|1178411]) was published back in 1937, so Forester had to try to avoid continuity errors between the end of this one and the set-in-stone beginning of the next one. He did it competently but rather inelegantly, by suddenly removing from play any items that aren't present at the start of [b:The Happy Return|1466310|The Happy Return|C.S. Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348626767l/1466310._SY75_.jpg|1178411]; although these Acts of God cause some distress to his hero.
mary846's review
5.0
I absolutely adored this book.
Seems like a collection of shorter stories - but what fabulous stories!
From sailing down the canals of England, narrowly avoiding disaster while organising Nelson's funeral, salvaging buried treasure from under the nose of the enemy and battling a Spanish frigate, I was enthralled.
And, just as enthralling was Hornblower's complex relationship with his wife and children in the background of all these adventures.
I was very surprised to find a Hornblower that I hadn't read before - but very pleased.
Seems like a collection of shorter stories - but what fabulous stories!
From sailing down the canals of England, narrowly avoiding disaster while organising Nelson's funeral, salvaging buried treasure from under the nose of the enemy and battling a Spanish frigate, I was enthralled.
And, just as enthralling was Hornblower's complex relationship with his wife and children in the background of all these adventures.
I was very surprised to find a Hornblower that I hadn't read before - but very pleased.
readingfar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cool_trek1's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0