My traveling hours to KC on Thursday were mostly taken up with reading C. S. Forester's Lieutenant Hornblower. I also took along the Stoker, but I think I got about a page of it read. The Forester was definitely the best choice. It turned out that the bus was packed full with shoppers (my sister is a real estate agent and one of the title companies she works with invited her and a guest on this shopping trip). With so many people it was inevitable that it would be a bit loud, and it was. While I didn't finish Hornblower, I managed to read through most of it saving the last 50 or so pages for yesterday.
I have to say (though I have only read the first two so far) that the Forester books are seriously gulpable! You know how you feel when you are thirsty and are presented with a nice, icy cold glass of water and you just gulp it down. That is how I feel about these books. Delicious. Dorothy recenly posted about an author's use of "spare languge", and though I am not sure that Forester qualifies for that, his writing is fairly simple. This is not to say it is not excellently done, as it is. I don't want to equate simple with unsophisticated--as it most certainly is not! But the books read quite fast. There is detail, but he is not flowery in describing it. The books are packed with adventure and with seafaring/sailing descriptions which put you right there--the Bay of Samana (near Santo Domingo) in 1802 on the HMS Renown.
The book is written from the perspective of Lieutenant Bush, who will become Hornblower's good friend. It is interesting to see Hornblower from another person's perspective. In the first book (which is a group of short stories) you see him just starting out as a Midshipman--one who is very "green"--doesn't yet know all the sailing lingo and actually gets seasick. Several years later (perhaps 8-9) he is coming into his own as a sailor and fighting man. It is interesting to see how he is able to control his emotions, and can juggle dealing with superiors and subordinates with just the right touch. While Bush knows the ropes of the mechanics of running a smooth ship, he lacks this ability to deal with others with the panache of Hornblower. It will be this that sets him and Hornblower apart. Hornblower will rise in the ranks as he is a born leader. He is able to present his superiors with the right idea for a course of action, without them realizing it was not their idea to begin with. And he is an excellent whist player. Hornblower is one of the most likeable characters I have yet to meet in literature!
I have already brought the next book, Hornblower and the Hotspur, up to set next to my bed! I could easily dip into it right now (and gulp it down as well), but I want to read a few other books first which have been waiting so patiently. I have finally started Daphne Du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek. How long have I been wanting to read this? Am I the only one that has a mental queue going in my head? Must finish this one before I start that one...Of course there are then books that get bought and read spontaneously, which mess the mental queue up. That was a nice little interlude, but now back to Stoker. Less than 100 pages. Normally this would not be a problem to finish 100 pages in a weekend, but I am not sure about this one...
I've not read this book and it sounds brilliant. Will have to look it up at some point!
Posted by: Claire | December 09, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Claire--A&E made an excellent film adaptation of this series of books if you are not familiar with it! If you do start reading these books, they are seriously addictive! :)
Posted by: Danielle | December 09, 2006 at 11:23 AM
A mental queue! That is the perfect way to describe it!! Oh how I enjoy all your posts!!
Posted by: Heather | December 09, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Heather--Well, I also have a notebook, but I tend to keep books in mind that I know I want to read next! I used to keep all sorts of convoluted lists, but they got out of control as my piles did.
Posted by: Danielle | December 09, 2006 at 05:59 PM
I'm right there with you on the mental queue. :) I have to say, you might just entice me to read a Forester book yet. I've always thought of these as books my dad reads, and therefore, I do not read. But you sure do make them sound good. And my Dad sure thinks so, too! :)
Posted by: Camille | December 11, 2006 at 12:18 PM
I so envy you the experience of reading the Hornblower books for the first time. And you're still near the beginning of the series. I think I may have to pick them up again very soon; it's been awhile since I read them. You will enjoy them immensely -- savor every one!
Posted by: Susan | December 11, 2006 at 01:48 PM
Camille--When I worked at a bookstore a few years back I would never have even pulled one of Forester's books off the shelf! They were always there, but I never thought I would ever read them! Watch the A&E adaptation of the books--if you at all are interested in sailing themes (and I didn't even think I was into that either), you will like them!
Susan--I have a feeling it won't be long until I pick up the next one--I already have it by my bed and dipped into it just a tad. They are very addictive!
Posted by: Danielle | December 11, 2006 at 03:27 PM