Midshipman Bolitho cover art

Midshipman Bolitho

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Midshipman Bolitho

By: Alexander Kent
Narrated by: Michael Jayston
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About this listen

Richard Bolitho - Midshipman

October 1772, Portsmouth. Sixteen-year-old Richard Bolitho waits to join the Gorgon, ordered to sail to the west coast of Africa and to destroy those who challenge the King's Navy. For Bolitho, and for many of the crew, it is a severe and testing initiation into the game of seamanship.

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger

December 1773, Falmouth. The young Bolitho looks forward to a family Christmas in Cornwall while the Gorgon is refitted. But Cornwall is the treacherous stamping ground of smugglers and wreckers. After the murder of a revenue officer, Bolitho is swept aboard his brother's cutter, Avenger, on a dangerous mission of hide-and-seek.

©1975 Alexander Kent (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Historical Fiction Fiction Superhero Africa

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Critic reviews

"One of our foremost writers of naval fiction...authentic, inspiring, well-characterised and, finally, moving." ( Sunday Times)
All stars
Most relevant
great reader, great story, I am looking for the next books in the series. thank you audible

absolutely brilliant. top marks

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excellent book and well told by the narrator Will
look forward to the next book in the series called band of brothers

Midshipman ballitho

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I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this as much as the Aubrey/Maturin and Hornblower series. Only Allan Malllinson's Hervey series manages the rich prose of Patrick O'Brian although in that case largely on horse rather than on deck however I do wish to know what happens to young Bolitho next. I think the author rather galloped to the end and could have made a little more of the journey and perhaps gave us a little time to hear the consequences of events but perhaps it the tales were curtailed by the desire to make these short stories. I do wish Band of Brothers was included in this audiobook.

The narration is good with the jarring exception of the unusual pronunciation of Gloag. It's certainly not a pronunciation that I have heard a Gloag use.

Proceeding With Dispatch

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New to the Bolitho series and while the story was a little predictable, in places, it is still an enjoyable listen.
Michael's narration was excellent and nicely paced.

Slow start to a new adventure

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Audiobook read by Michael Jayston.
Richard Bolitho, together with his Midshipman friend Dancer, are given leave for Christmas and head for the Bolitho family home in Cornwall. The discovery of a dead Excise Man and the arrival of Bolitho's older brother, Hugh, in his naval cutter Revenge, somewhat scuppers the festivities as Richard and Dancer are conscripted into the Revenge's crew to search for and apprehend a gang of wreckers and smugglers. Though this is told from Richard's point of view it's really his brother Hugh, hot-headed and tempestuous, who is the main mover and shaker in this story. Richard contributes the odd good idea and mostly does as he's told. Unlike the previous book, some of this adventure takes place on land, but the climax is another thrilling sea battle.
Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger - Book 2

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