Horatio Hornblower's Temptation & The Last Encounter

Hornblower Saga: Chronological Order #short stories

by C.S. Forester, Patrick Macnee (narrator)

"Hornblower and the Widow McCool" is a short story by C. S. Forester, featuring his fictional naval hero, Horatio Hornblower. It was published together with the unfinished novel Hornblower and the Crisis and another short story, "The Last Encounter". It is titled "Hornblower's Temptation" in certain US editions.

The story is set very early in Hornblower's career, in 1799 or 1800, after Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, but before Lieutenant Hornblower.

"The Last Encounter" is a short story by C. S. Forester, the final chapter in the life of his fictional naval hero, Horatio Hornblower.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics, Adventure, Ebooks

2 pages, Audio Cassette

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

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

And with this, I end my reading of the entirety Hornblower series. I am sorry for the fact that we never got the completion of Hornblower and the Crisis, as I actually did want to read more into it now that I have a better grasp of the history. That said, The Last Encounter was a lovely final vignette, and it was good to see the man at peace after so many years of war and hardship-- with an entire family to lovingly brood over, at that!

[Michael Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book twice really, at the correct intervals.

Horatio Hornblower’s Temptation (also known as Horatio Hornblower and the Widow McCool) was set before the events of the second book, Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower.
Horatio Hornblower and the Last Encounter is set many years after the eleventh book, Horatio Hornblower in the West Indies

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Last Encounter” may be my last Horatio Hornblower story – and a short story at that. (I just can’t seem to find the one novel in the series that I missed.)

As usual, it is well written but, unfortunately, it’s anticlimactic. It’s 1848 at the end of Hornblower’s illustrious career - wealthy and secure at age 72, Admiral of the Fleet, and happy at his family home in England .

Forester attempts a humorous vignette and succeeds – but I miss the ‘take charge’ Hornblower that I have come to know and enjoy.

[Vickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished the last Hornblower novel and wanted MOAR HORNBLOWER. These short stories are not as satisfying as the novels but I am happy to get little glimpses of his life. I now understand why the unfinished novel and short-story summaries were published! The first story, also known as Hornblower and the Widow McCool, is set during Hornblower's stint as a junior lieutenant and portrays him as a clueless dolt that needs suggestions on how to solve problems and needs to puzzle over things for days. A far cry from the quick-witted man of action we know and love--it almost seems like a different character. The second story "The Last Encounter" is a sweet little glimpse of Hornblower's sunset years, happy at Smallbridge with Lady Barbara and a glass of fine port.

[RhC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only of interest to a fan of Hornblower.

Temptation is part of the character study in Hornblower's decision-making and problem-solving processes.

Encounter is a fittingly subtle ending to the Hornblower series.

Logistically difficult to read in chronological order unless entire saga is owned/accessible, as Temptation occurs between Midshipman and Lieutenant. Otherwise, better to read closer to, if not at, the end of the saga.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series!

[Mayank Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a Sherlock Holmes story then that of a lieutenant in British Navy. Horation's decision at the ending was to much of cliche, should have been a bit more opportunist.