Flying Colours (1938)

Although I have other versions. I bought this copy because this is one of my favoites in the Hornblower series. One of my favorite lines of all time is when the British hail the recaptured ship on which Hornblower has escaped the French and get the reply ""His Britannic Majesty's cutter Witch of Endor, Captain Horatio Hornblower." ( )

This was a nostalgia read. I read and re-read this as a teenager and loved it: easily my favourite Hornblower book because of its ending. It was odd to read it again as a mature person. I found Hornblower less admirable than I did as a teen. Perhaps because his moodiness seems so selfish. In fact, he generally comes across as very selfish in this book: taking advantage of poor Marie and generally assuming that everyone will fall in love with him. Funny how one's own maturity affects one's liking for and tolerance for a character. I was one of Hornblower's conquests as a teenager, but am not sure that the love affair has lasted for me.

Rating the book on its nostalgia value. Though I'm sure the teenaged me would have given it a 5. ( )

Hornblower is beached.: The Hornblower books are a great Napoleonic War era British Navy series. I definitely recommend the series if you like this genre.

This Hornblower is so far the one I've liked the least. It's not too eventful until the end. I think it was meant to show Hornblower in new situations (not just another battle, he spends most of the book hiding in France) to highlight additional facets of his personality. Kudos for trying to develop the character better but I can't say I learned much new about him. Still, worth reading if you like the series.

I have given this book a 4 but it was close to a 3. For me, a 5 is a book that 1) I would recommend to others regardless of whether they read the genre and 2) will most likely reread again in the near future. A 4 is one that 1) I'd recommend if they like the genre and 2) may read again. A 3 I liked but probably would never reread, a 2 was just ok, and a 1 was a waste of time.

Brilliant. Couldn't put it down. I seldom recall being as satisfied, and happy, at the conclusion of a book. ( )

This book is a rousing chronicle of Hornblower's escape from being a French prisoner, his lengthy journey through France back to England, his growing relationship with Mr. Bush, and his infidelity to his wife and "mistress." Overall, I must say Hornblower is a complicated character, and interesting to read about, but he becomes a might predictable in his self-deprecating thoughts and actions.

Despite all his hardships, Hornblower returns to England to find several surprises awaiting him. I'll leave it to you to find them out. ( )