Lieutenant Hornblower

By: C. S. Forester

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible:

Having now paid his dues as midshipman, Horatio Hornblower returns as a newly promoted Lieutenant, in the second instalment of C.S. Forester's beloved naval series.

In this new adventure, Hornblower is overjoyed to discover his next task is to serve aboard the mighty HMS Renown. After witnessing some unsettling scenes however, he soon finds himself struggling to serve under the captain, James Sawyer, whose unsound mind leads him to treat his crew with extreme suspicion and contempt.

As talk of mutiny is abound, the tension rises and Hornblower is forced to make impossible decisions in an effort to unite the crew and avert further disaster by defeating the Spanish.

Introducing a much-desired element of romance to the series, Horatio encounters the beautiful and seductive Maria, who sends him on an altogether different but equally enticing escapade.

Hailed by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Sir Winston Churchill for being 'admirable and vastly entertaining,' C.S. Forester became a hugely influential 20th Century author.

Born in Cairo, raised in London and buried in California, the metropolitan writer experienced huge success with his Horatio Hornblower series as well as with his later works, The African Queen and The Good Shepherd.

His literary genius is perfectly encapsulated within this endlessly entertaining narrative, and his heroic protagonist draws us in to another titillating journey through the Napoleonic wars.

Narrator Biography

Christian Rodska is an English television and voice actor best known for his role in the 1970's series Follyfoot.

From the The Monuments Men and The Eagle of the Ninth to The Likely Lads, Z Cars, The Tomorrow People, Coronation Street, Bergerac and Casualty, his extensive and diverse acting career has led him to become a highly solicited radio and audiobook narrator.

He has now voiced over 150 unabridged audiobooks including Winston Churchill's biographies, Evelyn Waugh's Men at Arms and Sebastian Faulks' A Possible Life. He has been praised for his ability to vary in vocal pace and style and as such, Christian boasts 12 Earphone Awards from Audiofile Magazine.

©1952 Cassette Productions (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Ripping Yarn

Can there be a more beloved fictional naval hero than C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower? The stories are enthralling, writing is incredible and the characters are unforgettable. This is the second in Forester’s 11-book series that follows the career of a British naval officer not blessed with powerful family ties but imbued with drive, talent and humanity. If you have never read this series, or not read it recently, this version is spectacular and should not be passed up.

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book the author does and excellent job of making you understand the world of the British navy at that tome.

A Most Excellent Nautical Adventure

C.S. Forester did it again! The second Hornblower book is a delightful historical fiction that looks into interesting characters and high seas adventures in the British navy in times past. The narrator, Rodska, also again nails his performance by bringing this story to life, which made it nearly impossible to stop listening to. Wish Rodska read all of the Hornblower series. His narration is the best!

This is a very interesting book!

I love the narrator, and the characters are good! This is an excellent story, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction and good storytelling and fascinating adventures and a bit of mystery!

Great story, one of the best narrations

Really great entertainment on my 100 mile commutes. Good pacing. Never thought I would like this series as much as Aubrey/Maturin but it’s close.

I loved it! It is filled with excitement.

It is great listen for teens or someone wanting adventure like me. I absolutely loved it.

Pronounciation

Great book!
But slightly irked when the reader pronounced the word marquis (mar-kwis) instead of (mar-kee)

Hornblower #2

I seem to be addicted to novels about the English Navy during the wars with Spain & France (not so much with the American Colonies). This series is one of the best.

So much more story than I expected.

Loved listening to this book because there was so much to it. Very good story.

Wonderful story, wonderful narrator!

Best thing was the story, but narrator was a close second. Highly recommend. Fifteen word minimum.