Hornblower and the "Atropos"

By: C. S. Forester

Narrated by: Nicolas Coster

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

"I find Hornblower admirable, vastly entertaining" - Winston Churchill

In the wake of a humbling incident aboard a canal boat in the Cotswolds, young Captain Horatio Hornblower arrives in London to take command of the Atropos, a 22-gun sloop barely large enough to require a captain. Her first assignment under Hornblower's command is as flagship for the funeral procession of Lord Nelson.

Soon Atropos is part of the Mediterranean Fleet's harassment of Napoleon, recovering treasure that lies deep in Turkish waters and boldly challenging a Spanish frigate several times her size. At the center of each adventure is Hornblower, Forester's most inspired creation, whose blend of cautious preparation and spirited execution dazzles friend and foe alike.

Public Domain (P)2009 Phoenix Audio

Critic reviews

"A rousing tale of history, character, and adventure...For once Hornblower is the mouse Instead of the cat, but he makes that role fully as dramatic as the other." ( Chicago Tribune)

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people give the narrator too hard at a time

Yes, the narrator does read slowly. however, through the miracle of modern age, you can listen to this at increased speed. I find that at 1.25 x, the narrator sounds as if he is speaking normally. and that'll do you just fine.

Reader is not right for this story

The story is great but the performance was marred by the poor choice of reader. The reading was sonorous and void of inflection, some of the words were mispronounced-regular English terms- and I had difficulty not falling asleep due to his voice. Speeding up the playback to 1.1 x speed helped it be tolerable.

So good!

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Perfect pacing…

Mr. Coaster’s narration is a masterpiece of voicing and timing. Could not have been done any better.

Hornblower, a 11-book series...

After hearing my first Hornblower auido book narrated by Nicolas Coster, I knew that I had to hear more. I discovered the C. S. Forester wrote 11 books in the series. I tried the first after hearing that Gene Roddenberry modeled his Captain Kirk on Hornblower. I've been able to get three unabridged Hornblowers by Coster, and I'm on the search for more. Meanwhile I bought all the paperback versions so read when I can't listen. I recommend both Hornblower and Coster wholeheartedly!

Play at 1 1/2 speed

Any additional comments?

I have really enjoyed the Hornblower series, some have been taken aback that this title has a different narrator. I find the pace of this reader the issue and felt much better about the listen after setting the narration at 1 1/2 speed thus matchin the pace of the other books.

The reader is spot-on

The reader, Nicolas Coster, really captures the feel of the time period for me with his unhurried, stately manner. (He displays an excellent range of character performance as well). I'm only disappointed that Audible does not carry other Hornblower books read by Mr. Coster.

Another great Hornblower - poor reading

The story is great. Not the best Hormblower story but very good. The narrator, Nicolas Coster, sounds like he could be Eeyore's lethargic cousin.

excelant in all forms from beginning to end

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

absolutely, its a wonderfully told story with excitement as each page is turned. Easily understood and following the story line was very simple.

Who was your favorite character and why?

of course, Hornblower and all his crew.

Which character – as performed by Nicolas Coster – was your favorite?

I can't select just one they where all so colorful.

If you could take any character from Hornblower and the Atropos out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Again, Hornblower. I should like to discuss how in today's times I could get such a exciting job as he has now.

Any additional comments?

wonderful book. My first in the series but not my last.