The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The first ten chapters of Peter Simple deal with the very early stages of Peter's naval career.
At the age of fifteen, Peter leaves his northern country town to take the stage to London, where he stays with the Handycocks until his uniform is ready.
Then he's off to Portsmouth where he has some educational experiences before he boards ship.
After a rough start, life on board ship becomes a routine, including shore leaves and the adventure of the press gang.

1. Peter calls himself the Fool of the Family.
What shows that this description is accurate?

2. Peter has no experience with women.
How is this shown?

3. How is Peter taken advantage of and what are the results?

4. How does the crew and Captain Savage feel about Peter?

5. Please feel free to comment on any aspects of these chapters.

6. What is your assessment of Peter's character so far?

Although the book was written in the 1830s, it has the feel of an eighteenth century novel. In fact I thought I was reading Henry Fielding as it reminded me very much of Joseph Andrews. Even the headings of each chapter hark back to the previous century. However am I right in thinking that the time period it refers to is about the 1790’s or could it be even earlier?

So far it is certainly a comical, almost burlesque romp in Henry Fielding style and Peter’s naivety and gullibility has caused me to laugh on numerous occasions.

Being taken advantage of by almost everyone he meets is certainly a theme of the first few chapters.

My biggest laugh came when he proudly waved across the street at the captain and the admiral’s daughters whilst on the arm of a street girl.

The whole episode with the Trotters was hilarious from start to finish, particularly in the way he defended the ‘honour’ of Mrs. Trotter and her ankles.

During my I research I found out that Frederick Marryat’s sister Florence also wrote novels, so I am reading Driven to Bay: A Novel" Complete, (which also includes a voyage on board ship,) alongside this one.

I thought this novel was set in the Napoleonic Wars, so sometime between 1803 to 1815. I'm betting that events that happen later in the book will help narrow that time frame down.

I just started today. While the chapter titles do indicate a similar style to 19th century novels, I am finding this a smoother read than most of those novels. So far. Just finished with the lovely Trotters, who seem like a Dickensian couple to me. But then early Dickens novels were modeled after 19th Century writers like Tobias Smollett

There aren't any specific dates given but the time is roughly the early 1790s, since he's probably older during the Napoleonic war era.

Rosemarie wrote: "There aren't any specific dates given but the time is roughly the early 1790s, since he's probably older during the Napoleonic war era."

Makes sense. I had no idea how long of a duration the novel covers or how old he gets during the novel. I tried to avoid learning too much about the book except that it took place during the Napoleonic Wars. It appears that I am as prepared for the voyage through the book as Peter is prepared for his upcoming voyage.

Rosemarie wrote: "Peter calls himself the Fool of the Family. What shows that this description is accurate?."
Pretty much every event that has happened to him shows him responding with an extreme naivety even for a 15 year old

Rosemarie wrote: "Peter has no experience with women. How is this shown?.
The best example is the one cited by Trev, "when he (Peter) proudly waved across the street at the captain and the admiral’s daughters whilst on the arm of a street girl." I too laughed envisioning it. So much so that, although I already had a Kindle, I proceeded to buy an illustrated Kindle version it was looking like I would appreciate this book better with an illustrated version.

Rosemarie wrote: ".How does the crew and Captain Savage feel about Peter?.."
While they take advantage of his naivety and pull pranks on him, they do seem at least a little bit protective of him too as they tell him about the Trotters and it is Peter's own stubborn simplicity that has him stay on with the Trotters for a spell. It's like a fraternity with hazing of pledges with the Trotter situation an example of "you can't do that to our pledges, only we can do that to our pledges."

Rosemarie wrote: "What is your assessment of Peter's character so far?"
A good-hearted young lad who will likely be willing to learn and whose high level of naivety will get him in further tight situations. Hopefully.

Hopefully he will learn to be more aware but also not lose his good nature, Brian.

Thanks for letting us know about Florence's book, Trev.

I'm finding this quite entertaining. Peter's point of view gives us a chance to see what's happening and realize the truth when he has no clue. Right at the beginning, the coachmen asks to be remembered and Peter says he will, having no idea that it is a request for a tip.

Robin P wrote: "I'm finding this quite entertaining. Peter's point of view gives us a chance to see what's happening and realize the truth when he has no clue. Right at the beginning, the coachmen asks to be remem..."

Exactly. His description of himself is accurate.

I've just finished this first section now. I also had no idea what to expect so this has been a pleasant surprise. While Peter's simplicity and naïveté are entertaining, I'm also glad to see that his Captain and fellow shipmates seem good-natured and supportive (within reason). I was concerned this was going to be a litany of the cruelty and bullying one so often sees in these isolated on-board communities so I'm glad that so far he seems to have landed with a good crew.

I noticed that as well, and it is a refreshing change not to see cruel behaviour.