Call number
Genres
Publication
Boston : Back Bay Books, 1986, c1966.
Pages
294
Description
Forced to surrender his ship, the Sutherland, after a long and bloody battle, Captain Horatio Hornblower now bides his time as a prisoner in a French fortress. Within days he and his first lieutenant, Bush, who was crippled in the last fight, are to be taken to Paris to be tried on trumped-up charges of violating the laws of war, and most probably executed as part of Napoleon's attempt to rally the warweary empire behind him. Even if Hornblower escapes this fate and somehow finds his way back to England, he will face court-martial for his surrender of a British ship. As fears for his life and his reputation compete in his mind with worries about his pregnant wife and his possibly widowed lover, the indomitable captain imetierntly awaits the chance to make his next move.… (more)
Awards
James Tait Black Memorial Prize (Winner — Fiction — 1938)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1938
Physical description
294 p.; 8.3 inches
ISBN
0316289396 / 9780316289399
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Stevil2001
This is the last of the Hornblower books that I own-- obviously it's time to make another trip to the used bookstore. Overall, this one was honestly something of a disappointment. Hornblower doesn't really succeed in this one because of his natural brilliance; he succeeds mostly because of a series
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of unlikely coincidences. The house he takes refuge in in France just happens to host someone sympathetic to his cause, the harbor he visits just happens to have a captured English ship there, the harbor also just happens to have a passing group of prisoners he can liberate and enlist (somewhat less egregious than in the film, though, where the prisoners just happen to be British to boot), and his wife and Lady Barbara's husband just happen to die in time for a marriage. Hornblower's various marital indiscretions, though probably realistic, make him less than sympathetic, and I just don't like Lady Barbara. (God, the scene where his learning that she's taken his son in makes him feel a rush of affection aggravated me to no end. His wife taking care of the kids never seemed to do much for his feelings for her!) Still, the seafaring bits (rare though they are in this volume) never fail to disappoint as always. My least favorite book in the series so far. Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
Not quite as exciting as the previous few.
LibraryThing member Homechicken
This book is a rousing chronicle of Hornblower's escape from being a French prisoner, his lengthy journey through France back to England, his growing relationship with Mr. Bush, and his infidelity to his wife and "mistress." Overall, I must say Hornblower is a complicated character, and interesting
Despite all his hardships, Hornblower returns to England to find several surprises awaiting him. I'll leave it to you to find them out.
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to read about, but he becomes a might predictable in his self-deprecating thoughts and actions.Despite all his hardships, Hornblower returns to England to find several surprises awaiting him. I'll leave it to you to find them out.
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LibraryThing member 5hrdrive
Brilliant. Couldn't put it down. I seldom recall being as satisfied, and happy, at the conclusion of a book.
LibraryThing member iayork
Hornblower is beached.: The Hornblower books are a great Napoleonic War era British Navy series. I definitely recommend the series if you like this genre.
This Hornblower is so far the one I've liked the least. It's not too eventful until the end. I think it was meant to show Hornblower in new
I have given this book a 4 but it was close to a 3. For me, a 5 is a book that 1) I would recommend to others regardless of whether they read the genre and 2) will most likely reread again in the near future. A 4 is one that 1) I'd recommend if they like the genre and 2) may read again. A 3 I liked but probably would never reread, a 2 was just ok, and a 1 was a waste of time.
This Hornblower is so far the one I've liked the least. It's not too eventful until the end. I think it was meant to show Hornblower in new
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situations (not just another battle, he spends most of the book hiding in France) to highlight additional facets of his personality. Kudos for trying to develop the character better but I can't say I learned much new about him. Still, worth reading if you like the series. I have given this book a 4 but it was close to a 3. For me, a 5 is a book that 1) I would recommend to others regardless of whether they read the genre and 2) will most likely reread again in the near future. A 4 is one that 1) I'd recommend if they like the genre and 2) may read again. A 3 I liked but probably would never reread, a 2 was just ok, and a 1 was a waste of time.
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LibraryThing member AJBraithwaite
This was a nostalgia read. I read and re-read this as a teenager and loved it: easily my favourite Hornblower book because of its ending. It was odd to read it again as a mature person. I found Hornblower less admirable than I did as a teen. Perhaps because his moodiness seems so selfish. In fact,
Rating the book on its nostalgia value. Though I'm sure the teenaged me would have given it a 5.
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he generally comes across as very selfish in this book: taking advantage of poor Marie and generally assuming that everyone will fall in love with him. Funny how one's own maturity affects one's liking for and tolerance for a character. I was one of Hornblower's conquests as a teenager, but am not sure that the love affair has lasted for me.Rating the book on its nostalgia value. Though I'm sure the teenaged me would have given it a 5.
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LibraryThing member antiquary
Although I have other versions. I bought this copy because this is one of my favoites in the Hornblower series. One of my favorite lines of all time is when the British hail the recaptured ship on which Hornblower has escaped the French and get the reply ""His Britannic Majesty's cutter Witch of
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Endor, Captain Horatio Hornblower." Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Hornblower was the inspiration for Star Trek's Captain James Kirk, as well as Cornwell's Sharpe. Hornblower is more cerebral and socially awkward than Kirk, more educated and refined than Sharpe. In his own right, Hornblower is certainly an engaging and complex character and the series is an
I think the best books in the series run from Hornblower and the Hotspur to Flying Colours when he captained ships of his own. Hornblower has his faults, his moments of self doubt, and his dealings with women... well. But especially in the course of reading several books he begins to feel real in a way few fictional characters do. I'd say he's easily as indelible and remarkable a literary creation as Sherlock Holmes--and just as brilliant in his field as Holmes was as a detective. And if I had to name a favorite novel within the series--well, it would probably be a tie between this and Hornblower and the Hotspur and this novel. The first because it was the first in the series I read. This one--well, because it's hard to think of a more satisfying ending than the close of this book ending the arc from The Happy Return (Beat to Quarters.)
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interesting study in leadership, and a fascinating portrait of life at sea in the age of sail. I think the best books in the series run from Hornblower and the Hotspur to Flying Colours when he captained ships of his own. Hornblower has his faults, his moments of self doubt, and his dealings with women... well. But especially in the course of reading several books he begins to feel real in a way few fictional characters do. I'd say he's easily as indelible and remarkable a literary creation as Sherlock Holmes--and just as brilliant in his field as Holmes was as a detective. And if I had to name a favorite novel within the series--well, it would probably be a tie between this and Hornblower and the Hotspur and this novel. The first because it was the first in the series I read. This one--well, because it's hard to think of a more satisfying ending than the close of this book ending the arc from The Happy Return (Beat to Quarters.)
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LibraryThing member mbmackay
A ripping yarn - Hornblower's escape from Bonaparte's captivity in France 1812.
Read in samoa Feb 2003
Read in samoa Feb 2003
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Captured Hornblower languishes in a French prison, escapes and returns to England. The three main characters show skill, determination and courage. The plot holds together nicely as each thread succeeds the previous one. On many occasions, we see inside the leader as he momentarily questions
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himself...not very leader-like...but, maybe, true. Where's the next Hornblower book? Show Less
LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan
This book follows up on the heels of Ship of the Line. As far as naval adventures go, it's an odd one. Captain Hornblower doesn't sail on the sea until page 175. Instead he gets a taste of imprisonment--the fallout from the disaster he faced at the end of the last volume--and faces his own
--J.
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mortality. Rather than worrying for himself, however, he thinks of his loved ones, his crew and his reputation. Of course, when danger and opportunity arises, Hornblower plunges in and comes through with... (nah, too easy) Like the rest of the series, it was a very enjoyable read. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending of this, the original Hornblower trilogy, however. It tied up the loose ends a little too nicely. Still, it's a small flaw in a remarkable series.--J.
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LibraryThing member JHemlock
Engaging and tense. Forester takes Hornblower and Co. out of their comfort zone. Bitter Sweet at the end...but that's life.
LibraryThing member ritaer
Hornblower escapes from France, reseizes war prize and is vindicated by court-martial
LibraryThing member benkaboo
Just another great Hornblower book.
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The escape from France in the stolen boat was thrilling
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