Midshipman Quinn: Collection

Midshipman Quinn #omnibus 1-3, 5

by Showell Styles

Fifteen-year old Septimus Quinn is not your everyday hero. In this collection of four complete novels, the reader will follow the small, spectacled, but very determined midshipman on a series of exciting adventures that take him from England to the Mediterranean, from the Battle of Trafalgar to espionage in Republican France. Author Showell Styles based his books of sea-battles and events on actual eye-witness accounts taken from the logbooks of english frigates, making his stories not only exciting but historically authentic as well. Includes Midshipman Quinn, Quinn of the Fury, Midshipman Quinn and Denise the Spy and Quinn at Trafalgar.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure

598 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Aka Glyn Carr

Frank Showell Styles was a Welsh writer and mountaineer.

Showell Styles was born in Four Oaks, Birmingham and was educated at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield. Known to his friends as 'Pip', Showell Styles' childhood was spent in the hills of North Wales where he became an avid mountaineer and explorer. During the Second World War, Styles joined the Royal Navy and was posted in the Mediterranean, but even there he walked and climbed as much as he could.

An aspiring writer, Styles already had articles published in Punch, before setting out to make his living as an author. His first novel, Traitor’s Mountain, was a murder mystery set on and around Tryfan in Wales. He became a prolific writer with over 160 books published for children as well as adults. In addition to historic naval adventure fiction such as the Midshipman Quinn and Lieutenant Michael Fitton series set during the Napoleonic Wars, and non-fiction works on mountains and such as The Mountaineer’s Weekend Book, he wrote detective fiction under the pseudonym of Glyn Carr, and humorous pieces as C.L. Inker.

For walkers visiting Snowdonia for the first time, Styles' The Mountains of North Wales is monumentally inspirational, written by a sure hand and with a firm conviction and love of these mountains.

Reviews

[Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to C.S. Forester's "Hornblower" series and the boy's adventures of G.A. Henty. Young Midshipman Septimus Quinn uses inventiveness, planning and forethought, rather than brute strength, to assure the success of his daring plans. And Mr. Quinn, is also able to think on his feet, to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how unlikely.

[Sophia Loe]

This book is my favorite book I have ever read so far. I love how he comes up with ideas so quickly and yet they always work out. He saves himself countless times by his own ingenuity.

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great fun

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it as a kid and I love it still as a 30 year old.

[Cassandra White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book as a teenager. Looking forward to reading it with my boys.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book does have some good history in it, the battle of Trafalgar for instance, actual probability goes out the window within the first few chapters. The main character, while insisting that he is not a fighting man and does not like trusting to luck, fills the pages with daring adventures that only succeed because he is the luckiest man in England, even calling down the personal animosity of Napoleon himself. But what can we say? It sure makes the story fun and gives each of our favorite characters many chances to shine.

Though I once called Midshipman Quinn (4book) a complete ripoff from Horatio Hornblower (with many of the same exploits), I have recently changed my mind. It's just a laugh-out-loud, roll-your-eyes, admire-some-things, and enjoy the ride.

And, hey, the characters uphold excellent virtues (though putting others at ease isn't one of them... I mean courage, nobility, graciousness, etc.) and they are participating in a fascinating time of history, so if you just want a light, long read, this could be a great choice!

[Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just plain old good swashbuckling adventure! Quinn himself is quite an unusual but entertaining protagonist for a sea story like this, and he has fun and interesting companions with him on all of his adventures. I loved these four stories. They're not particularly believable but that's not what stories are for. :D I was looking for some good seafaring adventures, and I got all that and more. *READ THIS* if you get the chance... it's a boatload of fun.

[Maureen E · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are delightful! They’d be perfect for the kid who’s going to love Hornblower in a few years but hasn’t quite gotten there yet. With my Hornblower/Aubrey trained sensibilities, it was hard not to notice all the things that never would have happened, but that’s okay. They’re really just fun romps through the Napoleonic Wars, though the last one turns unexpectedly serious.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series! Historical fiction is my favorite genre. Easy read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two books are the best... so charming

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventures on land and sea!

[Dale Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost A Horation Hornblower type character

[Mark Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic starter book for getting into nautical historical fiction. The book is aimed at the teen reader.

[Stephanie Void · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it; own it. If you love nautical stories (Horatio Hornblower, Jack Aubrey, etc.) you will love this book.

[Julia Stolp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a blast! Everyone in the fam who has read it loved it