Peter Simple

This book was first published in 1834. Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was a British Royal Naval officer, novelist and knew Charles Dickens. Marryat developed the widely used system of maritime flag signaling known as Marryat’s Code. He wrote a semiautobiographical novel “The Midshipman Easy.” He is f......more

A thoroughly charming blend of bildungsroman, anecdotal incidents of both the perilous and humorous variety and truly imaginative characterization, this 1833 novel never ceased to engage. Told in virtually a picaresque manner, it progresses from incident to incident, with only a couple of major conc......more

A really wholesome book about coming of age and making a career at sea. This story is full of humor, excitement, character moments and sweet relationships. While most of it consists of seperate little occurrences and stories, there are some consistent arks throughout the book. The author himself was a......more

Young Peter Simple is given a place aboard ship as a midshipman, and he tells us his adventures on the high seas. He distinguishes himself in battle, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow officers. He is shipwrecked, imprisoned, and somehow manages to fall in love in the middle of it all.......more