Booklog 43/2024: C.S. Forester: The Happy Return – Hornblower #6 – Audiobook

[jacey]

Audiobook read by Christian Rodska.

Hornblower and the Lydia are sent to the Americas to deliver armaments to El Supremo, a potential ally of the British in Central America, an insane Spanish landowner fomenting rebellion against the Spanish. Hornblower has to take, sink or destroy the 50-gun Spanish ship of the line, the Natividad, though Lydia is only a frigate and outmatched. Then in Panama, he is obliged to take on board Lady Barbara Wellesley, sister to THAT Wellesley (Duke of Wellington). Sailing details abound, especially those of being at sea for seven months with the 'fresh' water in the casks growing green. There's a lot of fighting at sea as Hornblower defies all odds yet again, but there's also some resent,ent, followed by passion between Hornblower and his lovely passenger. Apparently this was the first Hornblower book Forester wrote, though sixth in chronological order. It's a book of its time, 1937, with racial attitudes that would not be acceptable today, but try not to look at it through today's lens and there is much here to enjoy. Hoenblower is an intriguing character, clever and resourceful, though always doubting himself and hotly aware of his humble origins. It makes him prickly and defensive, even with faithful Mr Bush.

I learned of the death of narrator Christian Rodska while reading this. I've enjoyed his narrations of the Hornblower and some of the Falco books. RIP Mr Rodska.

 

 

 

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Comments

[watervole]

Christian Rodska is dead? Oh no! He was such a good narrator (and the only one whose name I actually noticed, because he was so good)

[jacey]

Sadly yes, someone posted it on facebook last week because apparently in his youth he'd played the good 'bad boy' on the Follifoot TV series.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/mar/28/christian-rodska-obituary