Hornblower and the Crisis

Hornblower Saga: Chronological Order #4

by C.S. Forester

A Horatio Hornblower Tale of the Sea In the final instalment of the Horatio Hornblower series we visit some lesser known adventures across our hero's long career, including Napoleon's plans to invade England . . . 1805 and Horatio Hornblower is in possession of confidential dispatches from Bonaparte after a vicious hand-to-hand encounter with a French brig. The admiralty rewards Hornblower by sending him on a dangerous espionage mission that will light the powder trail leading to the battle of Trafalgar . . . Hornblower and the Crisis was unfinished at the time of Forester's death, but the author left notes - included here - telling us how the tale would end. Also included are two further stories - Hornblower and the Widow McCool and The Last Encounter - that tell of Hornblower as a very young and very old man, respectively. This is the eleventh and final book chronicling the adventures of C. S. Forester's inimitable nautical hero, Horatio Hornblower. 'The true master of the genre' Boris Johnson

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Historical, Classics, War, Nautical

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Cecil Scott Forester was the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, an English novelist who rose to fame with tales of adventure and military crusades. His most notable works were the 11-book Horatio Hornblower series, about naval warfare during the Napoleonic era, and The African Queen (1935; filmed in 1951 by John Huston). His novels A Ship of the Line and Flying Colours were jointly awarded the 1938 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction.

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Hornblower during the Crisis' is the fourth, unfinished novel of Hornblower Saga in the chronological order. Captain Hornblower is getting ready for a clandestine mission. Unfortunately, we will never learn how successful the dangerous mission is.

[Mr. Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three star rating comes with an enormous asterisk. The author passed away without being able to finish the work. The book - what there is of it - is awesome.

Hornblower leaves the Hotspur. He is promoted to Post-Captain. On the way back to England, he leads a desperate attack on a French frigate. Although the attempt to take the ship fails, some confidential correspondence from the New French Emperor falls into his hands. A couple of weeks later, Hornblower is in Whitehall, meeting with the Secretary of the Admiralty and a convicted Forger. They are hatching a scheme to draw the French out to battle. And then, alas, the story ends.

It left me distinctly unsettled. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I wanted to see the story unfold - to follow Hornblower as he went to Spain to deliver his forged message. I know he would get into all sorts of scrapes and it would be a load of fun.

Three stars out of five - entirely because it was unfinished.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb, if frustrating, final chapter in C.S. Forester's wonderful series of books about British sea officer Horatio Hornblower, HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS is unfinished due to the author's death. Nonetheless, the book is every bit as engaging as the other Hornblower novels, and the author's notes give at least an illusory sense of resolution to the story. Included are two Hornblower short stories, one a tasty bit of mystery, the other a grace note that really ends the saga just as it should end. I will miss reading Hornblower novels. No other series of books has given me the particular kind of joy provided by this one.

[David Eppenstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy novels from the Age of Fighting Sail and I have had the Hornblower series sitting on my shelf for some time. I originally bought the series for my wife. Several years ago the Hornblower novels were made into a TV series and my wife got captivated by the dashing younger British officer so I bought the books as a Christmas present. She read one or two books and that was enough. At that same time I was working my way through Patrick O'brian's Aubrey/Mataurin series so I put the Hornblower books aside for another time. This book is listed as the fourth in the series and I picked it up recognizing that I hadn't read a good sailing adventure in some time and a change of pace in my reading was called for. Unfortunately, this was an odd and disappointing book in this genre and for this author and I don't know quite what to make of it and thus my 2 star rating.

I was expecting another full length novel recounting the exploits of Mr. Hornblower of the British Navy during the Napoleonic Era. What I got was a fragment of a promising adventure and what amounts to two short stories unrelated to each other or to the fragment. The book begins with what I call the fragment. It is not a short story, at least not in my estimation, as it ends just as the heart of the adventure is about to begin. This story would appear to be a set up for an espionage mission by Hornblower into occupied Spain in order to plant a forged set of orders that would compel the French fleet to leave their Spanish harbor and sail into the waiting arms of the British fleet. Just as Hornblower is about to leave for Spain the story ends. As the fourth book in this series it fits the character's timeline and plot details as he is still a commander with a promise of being made post captain and he is still married to Maria. I am tempted to immediately pick up the fifth book to see if the story continues in that book. If it does then I will have questions about the publication of this book. Was it meant to be a tease for Forester's fans?

The first short story takes us backward in Hornblower's career to soon after he had made lieutenant. At this point he is the most junior officer onboard his ship. An Irish deserter that has gone over to the French to fight the British is captured, court martialed, and condemned to death. Hornblower as the junior officer is given the unpleasant duty of overseeing the care and execution of the prisoner. The story deals with the concepts of patriotism, tyranny, oppression, empathy, and trust. It is a good but unexpected short story and worth reading.

The last story is a bit of historical fiction and considering this book's placement in the series it could be considered a tease or at least a spoiler. In this story Hornblower is now Admiral of the Fleet at the age of 72 and he is now married to Barbara. So unsuspecting fans now know that Hornblower makes admiral and some how Maria exits the plot and Barbara enters. So I guess I have something to look forward to but was this particular story worth revealing these details? I think not, especially not for what amounts a simple bit of historical name dropping. On the whole this book wasn't worth reading and could probably have been skipped. I will now have to read the next book to see if the story is continued there or is it ignored. If the story isn't part of the fifth book then this book was a waste of time.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to the information on the book cover this is the book (actually part of a book) that C.S.Forester was writing when he died. It takes place just after Hornblower left the Hotspur.

It's still a good narrative and I enjoyed it as I have all the Hornblower books. We follow him through the adventure that he ran into just after turning the ship over to it's new commander. Then there are some notes that tell us where the book was planned to go along with another short episode.

So, a "fill in" in Hoenblower's life but still a good read.

[Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first few chapters of what I am certain would have been another excellent Hornblower novel. It had all the right elements: fast-paced naval action, a deep insight into Hornblower's mind, and vivid supporting characters and scenes.

I read this series in order of publication rather than chronological order: I'm glad that I did so. While the abrupt ending of this book lacks a sense of closure, the addition of two short stories (one with a much older Hornblower) eased this. What made this series so compelling is that Hornblower is so human and relatable, which makes him so likeable. This makes you really feel for him as Forester brings you through his ups and downs.

As a fan of naval historical fiction, I enjoyed the technical detail about sailing and the attention and prominence of historical events. However, I know these books are enjoyed by a much wider general audience: it is the complex character of Hornblower, and the adventure that any naval novel brings, that makes this possible.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well read & written - what there was of it. This is the last novel Forester wrote. He was working on it & died with only about a third of it finished. His notes & the rest of the series let us know it turned out alright, of course. As audio books, these are generally 8 or 9 parts of 70 minutes each. This book had 3 such parts for the novel & the last part was 2 short stories "Hornblower's Temptation" (AKA 'Widow McCool') and "The Last Encounter". The first should be read after the first book 'Midshipman' & the last is the very last story, so I skipped it for now in case of spoilers.

I'm glad I listened to what there was of this story. It's important in Hornblower's development, especially in his career. There's plenty of action, as usual. A bit gorier than most, too. On to the next book, Hornblower and the Atropos!

------- Below is also in the review of the first book --------

The full series in Published Order:
1. The Happy Return (1937) aka Beat to Quarters
2. The Ship of the Line (1938)
3. Flying Colours (1938)
4. The Commodore (1945) aka Commodore Hornblower
5. Lord Hornblower (1946)
6. Mr Midshipman Hornblower (1950)
7. Lieutenant Hornblower (1952)
8. Hornblower and the Atropos (1953)
9. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (1957)
10. Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962)
11. Hornblower and the Crisis (1967) aka Hornblower During the Crisis
12. Hornblower Addendum (2011)

Hornblower One More Time contains 3 short stories:
- Hand of Destiny
- Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan
- Hornblower and His Majesty

Hornblower Addendum - Five Stories (2011) is 5 adventures of Horatio Hornblower, two as Lieutenant, two as Captain, and one as Admiral of the Fleet.

The Hornblower Companion is an atlas with brief descriptons & should be read along with the books.

Hornblower Chronology: From Wikipedia & other sources.
(SS = Short Story)

1. Mr Midshipman Hornblower Jan 1794–Mar 1798
1.4 Hornblower and the Hand of Destiny (SS) 1798 (need to find)
1.5 Hornblower and the Big Decision (Temptation or Widow McCool) (SS) 1799
2. Lieutenant Hornblower May 1800–Mar 1803
3. Hornblower and the Hotspur Apr 1803–Jul 1805
4. Hornblower and the Crisis aka Hornblower During the Crisis Aug 1805–Dec 1805 (partial, unfinished novel)
5. Hornblower and the Atropos Dec 1805–Jan 1808
6. The Happy Return aka Beat to Quarters Jun 1808–Oct 1808
7. The Ship of the Line May 1810–Oct 1810
7.5 Hornblower's Charitable Offering aka The Bad Samaritan (SS) Jun 1810
8. Flying Colours Nov 1810–Jun 1811
8.5 Hornblower and His Majesty (SS) 1812
9. The Commodore aka Commodore Hornblower Apr 1812–Dec 1812
10. Lord Hornblower Oct 1813–Jun 1814
11. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies May 1821–Oct 1823
11.5 The Last Encounter (SS) Nov 1848

"The Point and the Edge" is a brief outline of a story.

The Wikipedia entry for the series has a lot of good information, but careful of spoilers. There is a table listing all the books & stories with both the UK/USA published names & dates, plus the chronological dates, movies & other stuff.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't give more than three stars to a fragment, but this had the makings of a crackerjack tale. At least it establishes how Hornblower was made.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair warning: This is not a complete book -- this is the first hundred pages or so of the manuscript Forester was working on when he died, plus notes about how things would have progressed.

Again, things pick up very shortly after the end of the the previous book, Hornblower and the Hotspur -- Hornblower has just been posted to captain, and thus is being sent back from the Hotspur to London to wait to be given a ship by the Admiralty; and in the course of beating back to Plymouth Harbor in a water hoy, he just happens to capture some important French despatches, which just happen to inspire a plan to forge a communique from Napoleon that will bring the French fleet out from Cádiz, where it has been sheltering, so the British Navy can give it a right good kicking; said engagement to take place just off of Cape Trafalgar.

And that's where the story ends -- with Hornblower explaining his plan to the Admiralty and meeting one of the gentlemen (a condemned forger) who will help carry it out; and then there's about a page of notes plotting the eventual course of the story, had it been completed as planned.

And while I love Hornblower, I have to give this one 3 stars because a) it's an unfinished fragment and b) it's starting to get a little too implausible. But maybe that's just me.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started in the morning-finished by 3 pm. A short, unfinished story- the last written by Forester. I am trying to read these in chronological order and this takes Hornblower from the day he is relieved of command of Hotspur to getting his full Captainship. The unfinished ending includes the author's notes on how the story will conclude (Hornblower is successful) in his mission to deliver forged documents to bring about the battle and Nelson's victory at Trafalgar. I had to knock off a star because it was an unfinished manuscript- but even at the end of his life Forester could still spin an excellent sea yarn. Looking forward to the next three books in the series- which I purchased as a lot on e-bay: Hornblower and the Antropos, Beat to Quarters and Ship of the line. Have I mentioned this is one helluva series? Yes. I guess I have.

[Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult to give Hornblower During the Crisis a fair rating, considering that it is just an unfinished fragment of a complete story, because Forester passed away while in the process of writing it. The fragment that is there seems very polished and final. In other words, it didn’t feel like I was reading an incomplete story, until its sudden end. The publishers include Forester’s brief notes for the rest of the story just for the sake of completeness. Also included are two stand-alone short stories which were amusing.

I enjoyed this brief little book particularly because of the additional insight it gives into Hornblower’s mind. While this brief interlude in the Hornblower saga is not essential reading, I would still recommend Hornblower During the Crisis to those making their way through the series. The quality of writing is just as good as any of Forester’s other works, and any opportunity to dive into Hornblower’s world is worth reading in my book.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
Slowly, this series is becoming my cozy read. This is the last and unfinished book in the series, and I enjoyed the story till its abrupt end. The two short stories included in the volume were not bad but not great as well.

[Linda Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright then. Ahoy mates! This was the last Hornblower novel to be written but it fits nicely between Hornblower and the Hotspur and Hornblower and the Atropos. In any case it is sadly shortened because the author passed away before finishing it.

None-the-less it is an intriguing story and I liked the way it was published posthumously with a note at the end explaining what the author's intentions were for the rest of the story. Under these difficult circumstances I think it is a much better solution than having some other author finish the manuscript. That never feels quite right to me.

I enjoyed the audiobook version narrated by Christian Rodska. After the half-novel "Crisis" there were two short stories.

1. Hornblower and the Widow McCool - this was set during the time Hornblower was a humble Midshipman. Really a great story!
2. The Last Encounter - this short story is set during Hornblower's retirement during his seventies. It contains a few spoilers for anyone like me who is reading the series chronologically for the first time. I wish it hadn't been placed behind the "Crisis" novel.

Anyhow, Hornblower continues to impress. I like it all except the violence of war.

[Michael Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

What there is of this book is brilliant. The story really picks up speed early on and maintains the fast pace up until the book just stops... I understand that the author died, leaving the book unfinished, but it seems that the best course of action to me would have been to leave the book unpublished.

Perhaps hire a ghost writer to finish the book from the author's notes? It seems to me, the publisher took the least favorable course of action. What there is of the book is grand, but that it suddenly stops right in the middle of the plot is severely unsettling.

[Christian Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book, the last chapter. Hornblower's last hurrah. A collection of shorter stories, one of which is unfinished due to the untimely death of the author (which would have been another great book if the author had lived). I'm not sure what to read now that it has come to an end...

[Simon Brading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Hornblower book that never was.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

If one were to bypass this all would not be lost. Pretty much added to H.H.'s personal relationship with his wife.

[Rue Dunbar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may not be complete, but it's still worth your time!

- Spoiler Free Review -

This is an awkward book to rate or review because, technically, it's not a complete book at all. Forester was writing a new Hornblower novel and died before completing it. Hornblower and the Crisis, therefore, contains the opening of this unfinished book and two short stories: one featuring Hornblower as a Lieutenant, one as Lord Admiral.

The unfinished novel actually works pretty well as a short story - and the two short stories were perfectly self-contained although they did jump about in the chronology if you're reading them in order (as I am attempting to).

What's good about the book?

Hornblower is doing what he does best - being brave, clever and smashing up Napoleon's navy - and also what he does worst - fumbling his way through married life and overthinking all his interactions with his superiors. It's well written, fast-moving and Hornblower remains an incredibly likeable (albeit far from perfect) protagonist.

Bush is back as well, which is always a bonus - the relationship between Hornblower and Bush is a definite high point of this series, for me, and it's fascinating to watch them navigate a friendship constrained both by the strict formality of navy life and their differences in rank.

We get another glimpse of Hornblower as a married man as well. I feel bad saying it, but there is something compelling, if deeply tragic, about seeing his train-wreck of a marriage to Maria unfold. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion - you know someone is going to get hurt but you can't quite look away. The author deserves credit for how well he's depicted it, even if it makes uncomfortable reading.

Any negatives?

I think you need to go into this knowing what it is: an unfinished novel and two short stories. If your expectations are set, I don't think you'll be disappointed, but this isn't a 'normal' Hornblower adventure. It's definitely worth reading, but I think (if I had my time again) I'd skip it in favour of the next 'proper' novel and come back to it later - even though it's tagged as the fourth book chronologically, I think it would work better later.

This is mostly because the second of the two short stories takes place when Hornblower is in his 70's and, inevitably, spoils a few things that I'd have preferred to discover on the page. I know his eventual rank can hardly be considered a spoiler (it's in the titles of the books), but there were a few details about his personal life that I wish I hadn't seen - it would have been fun had these been surprises, but never mind.

Overall, a book worth reading and plenty to delight those who are already fans, but not where I'd start if you're new to the series. It's a great shame that Forester was never able to finish this one, the opening was incredibly strong and I'm sure it would have been a wonderful adventure!

[Jacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrated by Christian Rodska

The final Hornblower book, unfinished art the time of Forester’s death. In chronological order it’s #4 following Hornblower and the Hotspur. Set in 1805, Hornblower gives up command of the Hotspur to James Meadows, leaving Lt Bush behind to support the new captain. While on his way back to England he’s called to attend the court martial of Meadows who managed to run the Hotspur aground they day after he took over. Court martial over, Hornblower and the Hotspur’s officers are returning to England in a civilian water-boat when they are chased down by a French warship which will inevitably catch them. In a daring move Hornblower turns the tables and briefly the Hotspur officers, through vastly outnumbered, take the French ship through subterfuge. Hornblower takes an important set of despatches and on return to Plymouth and then London discovers that they are very important. Together with two Admiralty secretaries and an admiral Hornblower formulates a plot designed to draw the French fleet out of their very secure port… and that’s where it ends. I thought another author might have finished off the novel, but all we get at the end if a minute of Forester’s notes indicating the successful end of the plot which leads to the battle of Trafalgar. There are a couple of additional short stories which adds an extra hour to the reading. The narrator is the late Christian Rodska, who is perfect for Hornblower. Good as far as it goes.

[Sean O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forester’s last Hornblower novel was uncompleted at his death. And that’s a shame, because it was shaping up to be a spy story for the ages.

The opening is kinda dumb. He’s relieved of command, but on his way home, he discovers that his old ship has been sunk by the new captain. He’s reunited with his old crew, on a water tender.

More impossible coincidences happen, it’s a Hornblower novel after all. And we get another brief reunion with his wife (always awkward.)

Then it’s off to London where his exhaustion loosens his tongue enough to become embroiled in a spy adventure arranged by the Naval Secretary.

Just when it gets interesting, Forester died.

This volume also includes “the last Hornblower story.” I’m saving that one for last.

I’m very happy with these books. They’re adventure tales, but they’re a little less offensive than the James Bond books, despite being set 100+ years earlier.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A final hurrah for Hornblower. 3 short tales. The first was well on the way to being another 5-star novel until Forester's untimely death left it unfinished. A shame. 2 short stories follow, the last fitting end to the saga as an elderly Hornblower resides in comfort. Well worth reading and a feeling of sadness that the tale has reached its end.

[Thaxton Gamache · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was listening to this one, and starting to get really into it. The stuff about forgery was great. Hornblower was going to be a spy. Then suddenly a chapter ended and the narrator says, “C. S. Forester dies before finishing this book.” And I was devastated. What is there is great, and the two short stories that were included were fantastic. Man, I wish he had been able to finish this one.

[Michael Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a shame to mark this one down, but it wasn't particularly sporting of Forester to die just as he was getting to the good bit. Decent story, though, and the two short stories that were bunged onto the end of the audiobkok version I was listening to were also nice.

[Stephanie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad that it's not finished. :(
Was already shaping up to be another great adventure for Hornblower too.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a partial novel; the author died before completing it. It was shaping up to be quite entertaining. There are also enjoyable two short stories.

[Chip Weickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all his work, I loved this book. Only wish he had lived long enough to finish as it was becoming very exciting.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so wish Forester had had the chance to finish this one! The few chapters we do get have all the hallmarks of another excellent adventure. These books are just a delight!

[Andrew Leeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

7,229 read. Enjoyed this one a fair bit. Could really see how it was shaping up. Unfortunately the author died during the writing of it so never fully completed hence its length. Glad I am reading in chronological order so I still have over half the series left.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book never grabbed me. Bleh.

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog here in November 1998.

This posthumously published collection of Hornblower stories includes the last story Forester wrote, which is an incomplete first draft, and the last Hornblower story in their internal chronology. The incomplete story, which fills the bulk of the book and gives it its title, is Forester filling in a gap in Hornblower's past. A newly appointed captain, he captures a ship and takes possession of secret papers from Napoleon, bearing his new seal as Emperor of France. This, the Admiralty decides, is to be used as the model for a forged order to the French admiral Villeneuve, to entice him out of his refuge so that the British fleet could attack (the scenario of the battle of Trafalgar). Hornblower volunteers to travel into Napoleon's empire and take the fake dispatch to Villeneuve; then the draft ends, left uncompleted on Forester's death.

The problem with all of this lies in a kind of inconsistency with the rest of Hornblower's career, caused by the fact that the internal chronology of the stories does not match the order in which they were written. Such an important event, besides opening up the possibility of promotion in a completely different way, would surely have resonances to be picked up later, particularly in Flying Colours, in which he is again travelling secretly through French territory (this time as an escaped prisoner of war). But because these books were written earlier, neither Hornblower himself nor any of the other characters ever mentions the scenario of this story.

The book is filled out with two earlier short stories. One features Hornblower as a kind of detective, where the solution to the problem he has been set seems to me to be rather too contrived. The other is set right at the end of Hornblower's career, in the year of revolution 1848 when he entertains an unexpected guest whom he thinks is a madman because he is announced as claiming to be Napoleon; of course, he turns out to be Louis Napoleon (later Emperor Napoleon III) on his way to Paris to seize power. Forester was not a master of the short story, and these two stories are competent pieces of craftsmanship without really having even the ambition to be anything more.

Overall then, this book is for Hornblower fans and competists, not the casual reader.