Mr. Midshipman Easy

Given that Mr. Midshipman Easy was originally published in 1836, I was surprised at how modern the writing felt while reading it. If I had to generalize early 19th century writing, I would say that novels from that era possess long-winded passages filled with an overabundance of details and a minima......more

Although he's mostly forgotten today, Marryat was a tremendously popular author of naval yarns who actually was a captain in the Royal Navy during the Golden Age of Sail. This book is the story of Jack Easy, a wealthy young man raised up to believe in a ridiculous version of equality - no one has to......more

I had the pleasure of reading "Mr. Midshipman Easy" several years ago. It lives up to its billing as a novel full of exciting seafaring adventures on the high seas during the Napoleonic Wars. The human interest elements in the novel are also compelling and true-to-life.......more

I was a little slowed down by the Tristram Shandy-esque origin story, but soon enough this picks up pace, and becomes delightful. I have to assume Marryat was inspired by Sterne, because the satirical aspect of this novel is by far the most entertaining part. At times, my jaw dropped, or I laughed o......more

This was not quite what I was expecting. I was expecting more along the lines of Hornblower, as a man whose naval service included military engagements during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 wrote this. This was much more of a comic novel more in the lines of "Tom Jones", a kind of a rebellio......more