Lieutenant Hornblower (1952)

It's a long time since I read these Hornblower stories from early in his naval career - when I was a teenager. I've read some but not all of the later ones in the series. So I wondered if I would find C S Forester more childish than O'Brian: not a bit of it!

In fact while O'Brian can be heavy going in parts of his novels this is definitely not the case for Lieutenant Hornblower that I have just read. This book is unusual in that it is written from the pov of Lt Bush who was usually subordinate to Hornblower but here starts as a more senior lieutenant on a large (740 crew!) ship of the line.

I won't go into the plot which is quite a page turner. The key to this novel is the developing friendship of the two men and the describing of their quite different but complementary characters.
Bush is the more experienced practical seaman who takes raising a heavy cannon up a steep cliff in his stride -one suspects Hornblower would have struggled with this technical task. On the other hand, Hornblower has learned how to handle senior ranks diplomatically and is quick to recognise tactical opportunities and devise effective plans of action. Bush has no sympathy for the enemy (Spanish "dagoes") whereas Hornblower speaks Spanish and is pained when a Spanish ship explodes under British fire.

Hornblower leapfrogs Bush to get his first command as a commander (not captain) at the end of the book but Bush is in no way upset or jealous.

Forester's descriptions of a sailing ship at sea can be quite lyrical e.g.
"It was Sunday morning. The Renown had caught the north-east trades and was plunging across the Atlantic at her best speed, with studding sails set on both sides, the roaring trades driving her along with a steady pitch and heave, her bluff bows now and then rising a smother of spray that supported momentary rainbows. The rigging was piping loud and clear, the treble and the tenor to the baritone and bass of the noises of the ship's fabric as she pitched – a symphony of the sea.." ( )

The actions of Hornblower as seen through the eyes of a fellow lieutenant on a ship with an insane captain. "How did the Captain fall?" is never answered. Book ends with disappointment as war ends. ( )

This story was fascinating to me, the main character was Mr. Bush, that was a shock. It is an action filled character building story. ( )

Serialized in the Saturday Evening Post, Sept-Nov 1951. ( )

Possibly my favourite of the series. We get to see our hero through another character's (mostly approving) eyes, we get to meet Bush, we get to see H being a fighting hero and an intellectual powerhouse, we get a mad captain and a mutiny, we get hurt/comfort (H cradling Bush's face as he slips into unconsciousness, H bringing Bush a fruit basket and lemonade as he recovers *heart eyes*), Bush finding H living in poverty after the war and H being all noble about it...

Basically they're my babies and I love them.

( )