Mr Midshipman Hornblower

By: C. S. Forester

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

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.

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.

Riveting

A true page turner, wonderful read! Rodska does a fantastic job of putting you right on the ship.

Excellent!!!

This is a Great Story along with the series. I have enjoyed and can’t wait to start the next. I just wish there were more stories in this time frame especially with the old wooden ships of war.

Love it!

A joy to listen to, voice actor is amazing! Love the story, plan to get them all.

First book in the series - worth a listen

As an avid listener to series when I came across the Hornblower series I needed to give it a try (especially with it on sale) and I have to say I really enjoyed it - I am looking forward to following Horatio as he advances through the navy in the books to come.