Hornblower and the Atropos

[anteros_lmc]

Just before I went on holiday I read Hornblower and the Atropos. I have to confess that I didn't exactly rush to pick up Atropos as a couple of people had said they found it one of the least inspiring of the series, although I know others, such as ioanite, have said it's their favourite. On reflection I fall into the latter camp, I really liked Atropos

Comments

[gayalondiel]

It's really interesting to read your thoughts. I'm stalled in Atropos myself, although Navyboy is telling me to just skip it and move on to the next one. We'll see how things go. I miss Mr Bush though.

[anteros_lmc]

I hate not finishing books myself but if it's holding you up from reading the rest of the series then by all means skip it!

[gayalondiel]

That's what's stopping me - I sort if feel that I have to read it for completeness and to be fair to the book. I guess I've just been too distracted lately.

[sarlania]

That scene with Collingwood is additionally poignant if one understands a bit about the man's character and history, and the fact that he never did get to go home to England again and see his beloved wife and children =(

And yes, Maria. At first glance she seems to be the silly, vaporous female but, as you say, there's that extra dimension to her character that's really fascinating. The fact that she still persist in her marriage with Hornblower even though it is quite clear that she knows he doesn't love her... that's what really wins her over for me.

Her portrayal in the TV series was just irritating!

[anteros_lmc]

he never did get to go home to England again and see his beloved wife and children
Indeed. That's what makes it so touching and memorable. I think in general CSF writes all the historical admirals well; Cornwallis, Pellew, Collingwood.

At first glance she seems to be the silly, vaporous female but, as you say, there's that extra dimension to her character that's really fascinating.
I think Maria is an excellent example of Foresters gift for creating complex and ambiguous characters.

Her portrayal in the TV series was just irritating!
I vaguely remember Maria in the series, I've only watched the last two episodes once ;)

[venusinfurs90]

Ah, Maria. I do feel bad for the lady - she seems so universally disliked and while her pitiful-ness is squirm-worthy I seem to find her considerably more sympathetic than I do Lady Barbara. I don't quite know what it is about Barbara that rubs me the wrong way (I think it's the treatment of her black maid in The Happy Return and I know, I know, historical context but urgh. Good old fashioned colonialism is something I find very tough to swallow. Especially when the author seems to think it's ok - even if at the time the author wrote it, it probably was ok).

I think it's especially annoying because CS Forester does make Horatio go on and on about how wonderfully capable and practical and gracious a woman she is, and honestly? She's alright, but she's not all that fantastic. She has the amount of common-sense and practicality I'd expect from any normal human-being, no more. (But then I suppose she is a woman, so at the time this may have been perceived as extraordinary). But it's not hard to be considered wonderful and capable when

[anteros_lmc]

Hehe! You should have saved long comment is long and ranty for later in the week when I'll be posting a review of The Happy Return! :D

I think the thing about Maria, is that while I admire the way CSF has created a character that has considerable complexity and ambiguity below the surface, at the same time I still feel rather uneasy about her portryal.

So far I'm rather fond of Lady B because she is the only one who gets to wind Hornblower up ;) But yes you're absolutely right about her treatment of her maid. These books are certainly "of their time", to put it politely, and certain aspects of them do make me wince.

I don't hate the Lady B....
....you just think she's distracting HH from his boyfriend ;)

[venusinfurs90]

You should have saved long comment is long and ranty for later in the week when I'll be posting a review of The Happy Return! :D

Oops! Guess I was rather premature there with my Lady B rant. XD

And yeah, Maria is a character that does tend to make me feel that way too. But actually I think it might be Horatio's perception of her that's most cringe-inducing. Sad though it may be, I guess I can see myself in dumpy Maria and it kind of horrifies me that someone could fake love and affection that well while actually harbouring little other than seriously contemptuous feelings. (But then this is Hornblower and who isn't he contemptuous of? Himself included).

I don't hate the Lady B....
....you just think she's distracting HH from his boyfriend ;)

XD Well, that too. Though actually I'm usually quite fond of official love-interests, if only because they provide so much in the way of bitterly angsty un-requited love and jealousy. (Me? An emotional sadist? Noooo. Of course not. I just like to see my boys suffer a bit, that's all.) XD

[vespican]

Hi!
I've come by this post and associated comments via a rather long and winding road (canal?). I feel I should point out that THE HAPPY RETURN (BEAT TO QUARTERS in the US) was Forester's first Hornblower book. It was not his first book to be published, however.
Dave

[ioanite]

I am SO glad you liked this one. As noted, it's my favorite in the series, precisely, I think, because it's fun. Action and angst are all well and good, but everyone needs a bit of silliness in their life, even Hornblower. Plus, treasure hunting. How can you go wrong with that?

[anteros_lmc]

I liked this one very much indeed! :) Tbh I'm not quite sure why I enjoyed this so much. There was something about the pacing of the individual episodes that I really liked.

And yeah the treasure hunting is great, it reminded me of working with underwater archaeologists years ago!