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Mr Midshipman Hornblower  By  cover art

Mr Midshipman Hornblower

By: C. S. Forester
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

The first episode, initially created as a prequel, of C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series, sees 17-year-old Horatio as he embarks upon a navy career aboard HMS Justinian. Older than most other seamen training to become naval officers, Hornblower is initially ridiculed for his dull attitude and inexperience at sea. However, against all odds, Horatio rises to become an unlikely hero and faces a myriad of challenges aboard the ship and on foot in native lands. Set in January 1794, Hornblower works alongside his fellow officers, eventually rising through the ranks to battle against Napoleon as he tries to conquer Europe.

In this episodic audiobook, Forester treats listeners to ten chapters with self-contained incidents and adventures. From duels to shipwrecks and Spanish galleys to French ports, we follow Horatio as he becomes a formidable man of the sea. Adding depth and feeling to the narrative, he also comes to see the atrocities of war and the often unfortunate and needless suffering of the many who are involved. Whilst showing himself to be brave, principled and ingenious, Forester's hero is singular in his unrelenting feelings of self-doubt and reserve, which render him a more likeable and relatable leader and protagonist. Commended by the San Francisco Chronicle as 'one of the great masters of narrative' C.S. Forester wrote 10 other books in the Hornblower series, all of which can be found at Audible.

Narrator Biography

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

©1950 C. S. Forester (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Mr Midshipman Hornblower

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First rate historical fiction

I was introduced to this series by a friend after I read the Master and Commander series, which is also fantastic. This kind of a beginners level of historical naval fiction but is more than worth the time. I highly recommend this series for those interested in historical fiction.

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11 people found this helpful

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Narration brings classic to life

The narrator handles the different characters very well - both male and female - and his pacing gives energy to these classic maritime tales.

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9 people found this helpful

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A lesser known classic- still GREAT!

This is a story of character growth- mistakes, temptation, pride all subjugated in favor of the greater good, of self mastery. Human triumph! And all at sea during war-time 150 years ago. 😊

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8 people found this helpful

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Great book

Great story, great narration. Well done. Hornblower was the first James T Kirk! I highly recommend this book to all who like adventure!

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5 people found this helpful

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Wonderful!

The best reading of a book I've ever heard. A real pleasure. Better than a movie or a play.

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Great!!

If you are ready for adventure this is the book to listen to! The hours will flyby.

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good old-fashioned adventure story

Thoroughly enjoyed this adventure story. As much fun for grown-ups as older kids. looking forward to the next adventure of Mr. Midshipman Hornblower.
Christian Ronska is an excellent narrator.

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Fantastic Nautical Adventure

Between Forester’s tale and Mr. Rodska’s narration, this was a book I could not put down! Forester’s use of language to describe characters, scenery, & story were compelling and magnificent! Would compare his storytelling to that of Robert Louis Stevenson. Additionally, Christian Rodska was an exceptional narrator as well! He skillfully created noticeably different manners of speaking for each individual character and stuck to it to a tee. As the first of many, I look forward to listening to all of the books in the Hornblower series.

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EXCITING!!!!!

This is one of the most exciting books that I have ever listened to! Although I am not interested very much in nautical tales the way this is written, makes every detail so interesting and exciting. I was on the edge of my seat through the whole story. The narrator is just amazing! There are people in the book from France and from Spain and the narrator speaks their parts in accents that are just, so colorful and appropriate to the story. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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A spellbinding page turner

I’m lucky to have found this gem among the free recordings that come with my Audible membership. It introduces us to Horatio Hornblower in a series of adventures (each chapter tells its own story). Engaging and entertaining, it even won the ear of my wife, who rarely enjoys stories related to military/naval topics. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone who is interested in an good old fashioned adventure.

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