Flying Colours

Flying Colours

I have almost finished the Patrick O'Brian series of Capt Aubrey and was looking for something similar in the Audible library when I came across C.S. Forester. I remember the movies about Hornblower but realised I had never read the books. This was most enjoyable story, Hornblower is captured by the French and is on way to Paris to be executed when he escapes. Lots of suspense and information on the French and English navies. Christian Rodska does a good job narrating the story. Looking forward to reading all of this series.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

The Character study

This is not in the usual ripping yarn style.. It is a good drama but more of a character study of Hornblower. The story is much slower paced than normal and the whole story revolves around his escape through and out of France. The reader is taken on as much a ride through his emotions, weaknesses and uncertainty as we are a flight to freedom but it is very well written and a must read if you are to maintain both the story and the man himself. However I would not reccomend as a one of sample book to read unless you are a school teacher looking for an excellent book for students to do a case study of a character which would hold the interest for either gender.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great performance

If you are a fan of naval action in the Age of Sail, C.S. Forester's Flying Colours will not disappoint. If you are familiar with the Hornblower series, you will see Horatio's character flaws manifested in action rather than imagined. You will be captured from the opening lines
to the last, a large part due to the engaging performance of the reader.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Romance and Adventure

Adventure in a variety of settings and circumstances with enough romance to provide a welcome change, now and then. I find catalogs of sea fights can get monotonous, but this novel is one of the very best of the series. (Just wish Horatio would give himself (and us) a break from his constant self-flagellation!)
The narration, as usual, makes this a spell-binding story. I’m going to listen to the next one right away.

classic

One of forester's best. Rodska delivers again.

brevity is the soul of wit, quit asking me for more words annoying word count boot.

Good book good reading .

Great book with beautiful voice work Christian Rodska deserves an award for this reading.

A disappointing chapter

I've loved the Hornblower series up until now. I will continue "reading" them assuming he will get back to the sea in the next. This chapter takes place almost entirely on land and only consists of a single action on the sea (other than one observed by Hornblower from shore). He spends quite a lot of this book complaining about being comfortable, and then complaining about being rich and successful. If you're looking for action among the fleet I suggest skipping this one.

Another great tale

not a single book has let me down in the series. I can't wait to peel into the next and then into the next after that. great writing and great narration what a great story.

Synchronized Plot

Captured Hornblower languishes in a French prison, escapes and returns to England. The three main characters show skill, determination and courage. The plot holds together nicely as each thread succeeds the previous one. On many occasions, we see inside the leader as he momentarily questions himself...not very leader-like...but, maybe, true. Where's the next Hornblower book?

The best of the Hornblower books!

I love all of the books, and Christian Rodska's performances are uniformly superb, but this is the most exciting book. If you're not working through the series (and you really should), then listen to this one if you listen to no other.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful