À rude école

Richard Bolitho #1

by Alexander Kent

Fin 1773. Bolitho a seize ans à l'heure de son deuxième embarquement. C'est sur la Gorgone, un imposant vaisseau de soixante-quatorze canons qui appareille pour une destination inconnue, que le " petit " Richard fera son rude apprentissage! Promiscuité des entreponts, brutalité des maîtres d'équipage, peur au ventre à l'heure des manœuvres dans la voilure quand le gros temps malmène le navire -sans parler de quelques coups fourrés non prévus au programme...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Military Fiction, Adventure, Maritime, War

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

A pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.

Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hornblower light. A rather skimpy tale of the age of sail lacking character depth or plot; almost Algeresque as a young lad saves the day. Still, Kent seems to know his onions about ships and it was pleasant enough.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young cornishman Richard Bolitho comes from a long line of seafaring men. In 1772 he is assigned to the Gorgon, an 74 gun, ship of the line, as a midshipman.
Fellow midshipman Martyn Dancer and himself distinguish themselves in the pursuit of pirates on the African coast.
I really liked this book. While in essence it's not much different than other books in the historic naval fiction genre, I found the writing smoother and the descriptions not quite as confusing. I love the thought that I will get to follow Richards career to the end and then continue the series with his nephew Adam.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of 30, if I'm not mistaken.

Midshipman Richard Bolitho is sixteen, and he's already a four-year veteran of serving aboard ships. He comes from a family known for their illustrious history of naval service. As the story opens he has just been assigned to the Gorgon. It's the fall of 1772. The ship travels down to the west coast of Africa on assignment.

I liked Bolitho. He is respectful but doesn't tolerate nonsense for long. He's a decent fellow all-around, and I'm a sucker for those. Surrounding him is the usual mishmash of personality types: competent/incompetent, kind/nasty, hardworking/falsifying. Basically the types of characters usually found in historical fiction. Some characters are both hard and decent at the same time. One of my other favorites was the young boy, Eden. I thought the author did a good job with the cast overall.

This is a relatively short book and is a quick read. (As long as one has the actual time to read...unfortunately, I was lacking in it.) I think readers partial to historical fiction and/or sea adventures would probably enjoy this. I intend to continue the series.

[Malum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty short because Reeman (writing as Alexander Kent) doesn't mince words or spend much time on character development. This book is all about cannonballs and muskets blowing the hell out of everything in sight. In fact, the few times that the book does shift to the occasional character development, it slows down noticeably.

[Farseer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant stuff from my review of Midshipman Bolitho, which collects the first two novellas in the series:

This series is more in the style of C. S. Forester's Hornblower than in the style of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin. Kent is not a fancy writer, but he writes in a straightforward and competent manner and he knows his 18th century British Navy stuff. The reader soon is immersed in the atmosphere of the ship, accompanying 16-year-old Richard Bolitho as he fulfills his midshipman duties. The stories are part description of life aboard and part adventure/war plot.

I have seen other reviewers of this book complaining that Bolitho lacks personality, and I can see where they are coming from. In the crowded conditions of the ship, with no privacy, strict military discipline and almost no spare time, it is difficult for people to express their personality. C. S. Forester dealt with that by giving Hornblower some exaggerated personality tics, which made him seem more distinctive. Kent does not do that, so Bolitho's personality is less remarkable. But that's OK with me. He is an eager midshipman, competent (unlike Hornblower, we meet Bolitho when he already is an experienced midshipman) but still not as confident as he'll probably be when he is more senior. Hopefully as the series goes on we'll get to know him better, particularly as he gains more authority to make decisions.

This is not high literature. You should understand my rating under this light: Kent's only ambition is to tell entertaining navy tales, and what he sets out to do he does well. I had a good time and want to keep reading this series, hence my good rating.

Here, Bolitho serves in the HMS Gorgon, a powerful ship of the line that has been sent to the African coast to deal with pirates. Bolitho has to put up with a lieutenant who dislikes him because of his family and who is not shy about taking the credit for his ideas and actions.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys stories about military sailing ships, in the style of C. S. Forester.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic introduction to Richard Bolitho... I have looked forward to reading this for a while and it did not disappoint. Maybe a simple story but a good short story that had adventure and detail in equal measure that enlarged the story making you think you have read a much bigger book. Looking forward to the next one...

[Laura Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Fast paced. Exciting battles. Characters that you almost instantly come to love or hate. The fact that it's a small book keeps one from growing bored with it. Captures the essence of sea life without confusing the reader. Just brilliant. A must read for any sea lover.

[Jacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook read by Michael Jayston
Set in 1772, this is the chronological-first Richard Bolitho book and takes up his story as a midshipman of sixteen (already with four years naval service) as he transfers to HMS Gorgon, a 74-gun ship of the line. The first person he meets is Martyn Dancer, a slightly junior fellow midshipman. The Gorgon is sent to West Africa to investigate the disappearance of ships in the region. On discovering an abandined ship, the City of Athens, they realise she's the victim of pirates who have looted the ship and killed the crew. Sailing on they come under the guns of a coastal fort occupied by pirates and the City of Athens is disabled. Bolitho and Dancer are sent on a mission to recover a British ship under the lead of Lt. Tregorren, who has a grudge against Bolitho's prestigious naval heritage. Bolitho and Dancer, with Tregorren disabled by drink, regain the boat and lead the powerful pirate vessel to its doom over rocky shoals. Tregorren takes the glory but the captain isn't fooled. Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something a bit different as I inherited this book rather than chose it myself. I can safely say however that I am very happy I read it!

Turns out I am a big fan of all the details of life on the ocean waves in the late 1700s... The characters are surprisingly well defined considering there are a fair few and the book is so short. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginning to a great series.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF!

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Bolitho - Midshipman is the first book of Alexander Kent’s (Douglas Reeman’s) Bolitho series. Published in 1975, it introduces the reader to 16 year old Richard Bolitho as he boards his second ship, the HMS Gorgon. The time is 1772 and England is at peace but that doesn’t mean that the officers and men of His Majesty’s Royal Navy are idle. The Gorgon is sent to the coast of North Africa with the orders to end the plague of piracies that occur there. This is a real salt-spray in your hair, boom of cannon in your ear high seas adventure that is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat turning page after page. I recommend this book to all lovers of history and the sea. It is the introduction to a truly remarkable and highly readable series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having heard of this series and still on a Napoleonic War/Age of Sail kick, I decided to seek it out. The writing is simpler and more straightforward than Master and Commander (it's really not fair to compare the two--despite similar settings they're very different works), and the author takes more time to explain what's going on in terms the reader might understand. This obviously has its benefits, but I ended up feeling less immersed in the world. On the other hand, in many ways I could imagine the ship and the surroundings more clearly. There's more boyish derring-do and heroics, less politics and interpersonal complications. A pleasant read, and I'm curious to see where the series goes.

[Tim The Enchanter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but not great 3 Stars

The name of the book is a description of the main character. We follow 16 year old Richard Bolitho, a midshipman, aboard the vessel Gorgon as they are tasked to look into and report on the slave trade activity on the African coast.

At times, the book was exciting as there were several good battle scenes. Unfortunately, the fact this volume is so slim (160 pages to be exact) the battle scenes are over rather quickly. This is a problem with this book as a whole. The story is condensed and the scenes move so fast, you are hardly able to appreciate the story.

That said, the character of Richard Bolitho is well developed. While I won't rush to read the next book, it is certainly on my to read list.

[June Ahern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a high sea tale! And this one didn't disappoint. I've seen every Hornblower series over and over and love the adventure of new lands, brawls, warships and handsome ship commanders which Midshipman Bolitho Sea Adventures by Alexander Kent contains.With the old British language it could become a bit of a drag at times, but then!! A new combat arises and unfairness to sailors gets your goat and the whole bloody thing keeps me turning a page.
I liked it for the genre it is. I liked it for the sense of adventure it stirred in me. I like it because the author wrote a good story.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book as someone who has read the navel novels by Patrick O'Brian I found this a lot easier going, not so technical with navel terms. It is fast paced and action packed would recommend it.

[Viva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Richard Bolitho (not this particular book) decades ago, didn't like it and never went back. I don't even remember which book I had. But anyway I'm glad I decided to give it another chance 40 years later.

This book is very short, about 100 pages, easy to read and follow and quite delightful.

Spoilers ahead:

Mr. Midshipman Bolitho (RB) joins the 74 Gorgon after already spent 4 years(?) somewhere else as a midshipman. So even though he is new to the ship he isn't new to the sea. He comes from a naval family. He immediately befriends Martyn Dancer (I suspect this will be one of his friends and allies) for many future books.

Life on board is fairly harsh with all the officers being tough on the men and underlings and especially 4th Lt. Tregorren who resents RB's naval family, being that he himself has none.

The first task of the Gorgon is to go to the west African coast and destroy a lair of pirates who have been capturing merchantmen. They first come on to an empty brig The City of Athens (CoA) which has been captured and abandoned by the pirates who saw the Gorgon approach (RB's theory, stolen by Tregorren).

The CoA is then crewed with Gorgon's men and together they attack the pirates lair and fortress. The CoA is sunk by cannon fire and the Gorgon retreats but not before seeing a captured naval brig HMS Sandpiper at anchor.

The Sandpiper is captured that very night with a cutting out action with the ship's boats and crewed by Tregorren, 5th Lt. Hope, RB and Dancer. Lt. Hope is injured by a musket ball to the shoulder and Tregorren is basically roofied by Midshipman Eden (whose father is a apothecary) who was a target of Tregorren's tyranny. So RB is left in command with both Lt's out.

They are chased by the pirate frigate and RB plots a path through shallow reefs that causes the pirate frigate to hull itself on the reefs. Tregorren takes the credit even though he was out. The Gorgon hatches a plan, takes the fort by deception and fulfills its orders.

This is a very quick and enjoyable read. It has all the usual elements of the introductory book of a naval action series: bullied new man who overcomes elements of conflict (usually bullying superiors) with hard work, intelligence and his friends. Even better is that it's a short book; concise without a lot of filler or long boring parts.

[Carlos Magdaleno Herrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinopsis:

En 1772, a la edad de dieciséis años, Bolitho embarca como guardiamarina en el Gorgon, un navío de línea de setenta y cuatro cañones, con órdenes de navegar hacia África oriental para reprimir a quienes osaban oponerse a la marina de Su Majestad. Ya de regreso a su Cornualles natal, disfruta de un merecido permiso mientras su barco está en reparaciones. Pero la región en que pasó su infancia está infestada de contrabandistas y malhechores, y Bolitho tiene que interrumpir su descanso para embarcarse de nuevo.

Un bonito libro de marinería y aventuras del estilo de la saga de Patrick O´Brian. La lectura fue una autentica delicia, pues este tipo de libros son una debilidad personal. Además viene muy bien la frescura de la olas salpicando el rostro entre otro tipo de lecturas más farragosas e incómodas como 2666 de Bolaño

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Richard Bolitho, Midshipman’ introduces yet another fictional hero of the Age of Sail, ready to serve alongside Horatio Hornblower and Lucky Jack Aubrey. The first of many adventures, this novel finds its young hero ordered to serve aboard a Ship of the Line as it sails the West Coast of Africa deals the King’s Justice to pirates threatening its shipping lanes.

Yes, buckles are smashed. Yes, Mr. Bolitho rises to the occasion in the Third Act Crisis. And, yes, the book introduces a cast of characters, young and old, whom I imagine will populate the rest of the series.

So, yeah, pretty standard stuff, really. But it’s also a lot of fun. Author Alexander Kent knows how to write a thriller. The story moves briskly. I could smell the tar and the gunpowder. I had a good time, and I look forward to young Bolitho’s next adventure. Your mileage may vary.

[Todd Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazingly fun ride. I do not know how I missed these as a boy. I would have devoured them back then, just as I devoured it now. This is a nice short read and the action is nonstop. It was fun, exciting, and I loved it. Now, this is not the first book written, but it is the first chronologically told. My obsessive nature has to go chronologically. I will be picking up the next one when the rotation in my bizarre TBR category list rolls around again. This would be a great read for any young reader who struggles with reading. It is short, not complicated, and downright fun to read.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I have been searching for a new historical fiction writer to read. I loved the Hornblower series and most of Cornwelll’s series’s. I tried Master and Commander and they were okay sop decided to give this one a try. It appears as if this is two short stories that tell 2 adventures of young Mid Shipman Richard Bolitho the first one where he is aboard a Man o War fighting pirates was quite good and very similar to an early Hornblower. The second where he is at home on leave and gets involved with his brother to take on smugglers is okay.

[Mike Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first attempt to find something similar to read after finishing all the Hornblower and Maturin/Aubrey books. This first book is really only a novella and it does seem to have more of the feel of the Hornblower books, though possibly only because in this and the first few books the main protagonist is a midshipman. It was a fun read, but being very short it didn’t have the weight to convince as an alternative, but I will be continuing with the series at least for the first three books which I got cheap, so we’ll see!

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'univers de la marine militaire Anglaise à voile avait l'avantage et l'inconvénient d'être très éloigné de notre monde de machine learning, d'influenceurs, de dérèglement climatique et de blockchain dans son vocabulaire et dans ses considérations. Il m'a fallu du temps pour m'habituer à cette écriture spécifique et dépassée mais je me suis surpris à parfois être impatient de lire les pages suivantes et rarement m'imaginer sur l'un de ces bateaux.

[Jack Sakalauskas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the Bolitho series. It is more of a short story than a novel. Being short, it doesn't waste a lot of time on dressing, although some explanations seem to be left out, making you wonder. As the story starts he already has a four year career behind him. A career that seems to have been easy going as it now takes a turn for the worse. He suddenly becomes aware of the prejudices and cruelty that surround him. The story seems to lack strength.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough, but the author is no C. S. Forester. The writing is workmanlike but Bolitho himself is well-nigh characterless. One feels the dead hand of the author moving his people about like chess pieces in order to serve an adventure narrative, which makes it hard to engage and means there’s nothing much at stake. I found it hard to suspend my disbelief and got a bit bored. I probably will carry on with the next one in the series - but not before I run out of Hornblowers.

[David Haig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very first books I ever read about the 18th century sailing navy, that has led to a lifetime interest in the period, the men and the ships. I've gone on to sail square riggers, so some aspects of the books are now life experiences. It is a fast-paced short story about Richard Bolitho as a midshipman aboard a 74 gun, ship of the line, hunting pirates in West Africa.

[Adam K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Though leagues away from Aubrey-Maturin and lacking the already sparse character development of Hornblower, Kent trims off all of the excess and gets right to the meat of the action. Though I think I like the Hornblower books more, something about this slimmed down, action-packed tale was satisfying and enjoyable.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was curious how these seafaring adventures would compare to the Hornblower books that I'm more familiar with. Quite similar to Horatio's early adventures if I remember correctly, as Richard Bolitho joins his ship and basically finds his feet under others orders. If it is going to be like Hornblower, I'm sure things will improve.

[Duane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, this is a really poor effort. I may be a bit spoiled by Patrick O'Brian but this is just a really poor effort by any standard. Can recommend for full-on Bolitho completists only. Some of the writing is just terribly clunky and there's barely any time taken here for real character development or anything else.

[Graham Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping naval yarn that introduces us to Midshipman Richard Bolitho, the hero of a number of novels in the series. It drops in many technical terms of the day, mixing them in with action and adventure that ends with a battle with corsairs defending a heavily armoured African fortress. An enjoyable escapist read.