The Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower

by **80 Winters** Tue 24 Apr 2012, 02:07

I seriously considered placing this review in "The Gunroom", because it is (or at least purports to be) a factual biography of a fictional character. Then again, it could be a fictional biography of a factual character.

C. Northcote Parkinson did an outstanding job of crafting this book (to say that it's a novel is "a spoiler"). Published in 1970, only 3 years after C.S. Forester passed from among us, the name of Horatio Hornblower was possibly as well known as that of Nelson (of the same forename), and there was a thirst among his followers for "more of their hero". I think Parkinson filled that thirst admirably and if you liked the 12 Hornblower books (even if you pass on one or two), I think you'll enjoy this (now is it fact or fiction.....you tell me) biography.

I won't print the 3 page Preface here, but I will tell you that after I read it, I was ready to believe that Hornblower was as real as you or I, and all I wanted to know, "was the rest of the story".

http://www.historicnavalfiction.com/book-title-index/t/989-the-life-and-times-of-horatio-hornblower

If you've ever thought of writing a novel......think of all the characters you've read about who haven't had "their biography" published yet !!

It's in my library.