The Queen's Cup

by G.A. Henty, 1stworld Library (Editor)

A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house. It was early in September. The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read. The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio. "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting. "I don't know, Bertha." He had known her from childhood, and she had not yet reached an age when the formal "Miss Greendale" was incumbent upon her acquaintances.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

344 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2007

About the author

George Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.

Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars & 4/10 hearts. This is an interesting, exciting book, with a good deal of ships and naval life. ;) There is a vague hint at a man ruining a girl & two vague hints of kisses, a little bit of drinking & smoking, & some mild language (e.g., by gad). There is a little bit of discrimination against blacks, but I was pleased to see that when Dominique spoke French, he spoke it normally, which shows that he couldn’t speak English well but that he was just as intelligent as anyone else there. There is a good bit of humour, and I really liked George Lechmere after he became the major’s man.

*This review is subject to revision when I reread this book.*

A Favourite Quote: “‘It is my duty. There can be no doubt about that,’ he said to himself. ‘If Bertha really loves Carthew, she will believe his denial rather than my accusation, unsupported as it is by a scrap of real evidence. In that case, she will put down my story as a piece of malice and meanness. But, after all, that will matter little. I had better far lose her liking and esteem than my own self respect.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Now, what message have you brought me from that pirate?’
“‘Him no pirate at all. You know dat bery well, massa captain. Dat English yacht; anyone see dat with half an eye. De gentleman there says you have a lady on board dat has been carried off.’
“‘Then he is a liar! the Belgian said. ‘There is no woman on board at all!’
“‘Well, sar, dat am a matter ob opinion. English gentleman tink dat you hab. You say no. Dat prove bery easy. De gentleman say he wants to search ship. If as you say, she is no here, den ob course no reason for you to say no to dat. If on de other hand you say no, den he quite sure he right, and he come and search whether you like it or no.’”

[Richard Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ok book. Started kinda slow. I did enjoy the sea chase adventure. GA Henty picked a really good plot. Not his usual plot. It was hard to read at points because of all the details about the ships. But even that was interesting. There was a blooper that messed up the plot. I feel like if this blooper wasn't there the plot could have been even better. On page #76 when Frank is talking to George's parents about the death of Martha this is what we are told "She never said who did it, but from other things that came out, there is no doubt. Later when George tells Bertha (Frank's girlfriend) about the death of Martha this is what he tells her "Then I heard Martha had returned to die, and I learned that she had told her mother the name of her destroyer". I found that blooper annoying. Mainly because it a blooper and the plot could have been better. But that is just my opinion. But again it was for the most part an enjoyable read.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed unlike typical Henty. It seemed more like a classic action/romance novel, more than action/adventure.

[Elsie B. Huggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Ruth Chris,and the outdoor girls in the outdoor girls around the campfire august break baked me a call from you