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)

Great book. Poor narrator.

All of the Hornblower books are excellent and this one is no exception. Forrester is a master of his craft and his detailed knowledge of how the British navy worked and how ships were sailed make the action believable and convincing.

Unfortunately this audio book is spoiled for me by the narrator who has a slow and mournful delivery that sounds like a vicar on Valium preaching a long and boring sermon.

The other books in this series are read by Christian Rodska who does a much better job.

Horrible reader!

Would you try another book from C. S. Forester and/or Nicolas Coster?

I will read anything C.S. Forester writes. I will never listen to Nicolas Coster again. If he is the only choice - I will read the book in print.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Nicolas Coster?

Christian Rodska!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I do love the book - the overall performance was so awful that it ruined it for me. I was angry most of the time I listened because of the narrator. The book is another great story in the Hornblower series.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to other books in the Hornblower series read by Christian Rodska and loved them. The reader of this book is so absolutely awful I may not finish it. I will never buy another audiobook read by him and will read the book in print instead. I am having to listen at a 1.5 speed because the reader sounds so slow and drunk. If you enjoy Rodska's reading - you will be greatly disappointed.

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.

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!

Great fun and adventure in 1806

The author makes you feel like you now understand more what life was like in the early 1800's. And the reader does an excellent job with the various voices and accents and making you feel the excitement and tension.

The little ship

C.S. Forester description of the Hornblower family travelling on the canal boat and the information about the canals was fascinating. When Hornblower arrives in London he takes command of the 22 gun sloop Atropos. He is assigned to plan and command the funeral for Adm. H. Nelson. The description and information about the funeral was great. Then Hornblower is off to the Mediterranean to join the fleet. He is assigned to retrieve the payroll off a ship that sunk in Turkish waters, the suspense of the salvage and the sea battles and long chase were great. Forester has the ability to paint pictures with words. If you enjoy a sea story or are a history buff you will enjoy the book.

So disappointed I had to stop.

I ADORE the Hornblower stories. I HATED this version. I never thought I'd say this about this novel, but I couldn't finish this audio. The narrator sounds almost asleep. Hornblower's voice is lost in mush.

different narrator

doesnt live up to the person who read the previous books in date continuity. try it on 1.25 or even 1.5 speed to make him sound like hes not reading you a bedtime story.

Dreadful reading performance - Story Ok

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who wishes to fall asleep in 15 minutes

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

There wasn't much adventure in this book until towards the end, things got a little interesting. Hornblower marrying Maria has been a disappointment through this series because i find her to be an annoying character. Wish I could hear more on Mr. Bush though.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicolas Coster’s performances?

Absolutely not, in fact i was relieved to see that Christian Rodskar does all the other books, Nicolas Coster's voice and readings challenged me to get through this book. His voice mannerisms remind me of some sleepy nobleman. I only hope he hasn't permanently poisoned my mental image of Hornblower that I enjoyed and developed from Christian's readings.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom - Previous books had alot more action through main portions of the narrative, this book was dominated early on with the funeral and ongoings with his wife and children. Wasn't until towards the end when things seemed to get a little interesting.

A Really Good Book Read As A Bed-Time Story

I'm a huge fan of C.S. Forester's Hornblower series - I have them all in print, and was working my way through the audible version in series order. It was going swimmingly!

Then they changed Narrators. Disaster. Mr Coster's tone reminds me of someone reading a bedtime story - it is soft, even, and the volume lowers steadily throughout the sentence. Imagine "he parried the blow, then hacked and hacked again, fighting for his life" being read in the same tone as "lullaby, and good nite..."

I'm sure his melodic drone is great for some stories (Copperfield?), just not this one.

Good Story But....

I have read this book several times over the years. I was looking forward to hearing it for the first time. Deeply disappointed by the awful narration. If it were possible to awaard minus stars I would have done so. This is an exciting story and needs to be narrated accordingly. However, if you are looking for a cure for insomnia this is the book for you.

Bring back Christian Rodska

Great story, painful listen! Slow, plumy, droning on and on! Had to speed it up to avoid falling into a coma! If I could swap this for the Christian Rodska one I would. Problem is for some reason it wasn’t available when I purchased it. DON’T BUY THIS ONE.

Hornblower

The Narrator was not right for a Hornblower at all it was truly awful.
I'm sure for another type of story he would be fine but the way this was read spoiled the story for me

Not as good as previous books

Not the best narration, but a decent storyline. Would prefer a return to the previous narrator.

Exciting story poorly narrated

All the books bar two that I have had from Audible have had superb narrators, who have enlivened the text. This one kills it dead. The narrator sounds like he is having difficulty reading, and has no variety of tone at all. Could not finish the book.

A brilliant book, a mediocre narrator

Like all the Hornblower books, "Hornblower and the Atropos" is a brilliantly written, exciting and insightful work of historical fiction. Why then the three stars? I'm afraid the narration was just not up to the very high standard set by Christian Rodska who reads the other Hornblower books available on Audible.

a classic, spoilt by the reading

I thoroughly enjoy the hornblower series but sadly am having to cope with the reader. his slow, laconic, often stilted rendering comes over as pompous. Even exciting battles are rendered with the slow, ponderous and unemotional voice which makes the young hornblower sound as if he is an octogenarian looking forward to soaking his feet in some Epsom salts. i'm sure the publishers wanted something that sounded of the period but sadly all they have achieved is something that sounds old, and tired. I will persevere with the rest of the series in the hope that the reader discovers some passion.

Disappointing.

The first page was enough. The readers' voice was wrong for these stories. They need a young strong reader to inject the energy and excitement that these stories are all about.

Great story ruined by terrible narration

Love the Hornblower series but almost gave up on this one due to dreadful drawling narration. Sorry but will not be buying any more books narrated by this chap.

different readers make a difference

shame that the reader wasn't the same as the other books, but it's a cracker Ng story