Lieutenant Hornblower
From Hornblower
| Published | 1952 |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph, London |
| Pages | 253 |
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Lieutenant Hornblower (published [952) was the seventh Horatio Hornblower novel written by C. S. Forester. By internal chronology, it is the second book in the series.
The book is unique in the series in being told not from Horatio Hornblower's point of view, but rather from Bush's.
[edit] Plot Summary
Hornblower, a very junior Fifth Lieutenant on HMS Renown, copes with his Captain James Sawyer's paranoid schizophrenia, an incompetent First Lieutenant Buckland, and a Spanish base on Haiti. William Bush, Hornblower's faithful companion and best friend, is introduced, boarding the vessel as the Third Lieutenant. The developing friendship between Bush and Hornblower is a major topic of the book. Though he is originally inferior in rank, Hornblower's intelligence and energy eventually lead to his promotion over Bush, which the older man easily accepts.
When Sawyer's insanity becomes apparent to all, Buckland assumes command, but botches the mission to capture the Spanish base. However, Hornblower's brilliance saves the day. Later, an enemy ship is captured and Buckland's promotion seems assured. Unfortunately for him, the prisoners take control of the Renown during the night. Hornblower alertly retakes the ship, but in the desperate fighting, Sawyer is killed. Upon their return to port, Buckland is passed over; instead, Hornblower is promoted to commander.
Unfortunately, the Peace of Amiens is signed before Hornblower's promotion can be confirmed. Because he has to pay back the difference in pay between a commander and a lieutenant, Hornblower is reduced to earning his living by playing whist for money in the Long Rooms. He resides in a cheap pension, where he meets his future first wife Maria (née Mason), the daughter of the landlady.
The Peace of Amiens comes to an end. War has not yet begun, but is imminent, as evinced by a press gang Hornblower and Bush encounter. Hornblower's promotion is confirmed (by a Lord of the Admiralty he impresses with his exceptional cardplaying skills) and he is appointed commander of a sloop of war.
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