Painting by Ivan Aivazovsky. Odessa at night
Today is one of naval sagas. Why? Because you always want to go to the sea, whatever and whenever. And in a book we go to all of the world and to all times. It is impossible to talk about all the naval sagas out there, so today I choose these three, but there will be more. With some of the most famous characters in the literature of the sea such as Horatio Hornblower, Richard Bolitho or Alan Lewrie.
A brief introduction
From Homer to Melville via Conrad and the Captain Marryat o Salgari and ending with Patrick O'Brian. There are countless nautical-themed novels as well as the naval sagas out there. But this gender literary is more special and not to the taste of all readers.
One of the reasons for which he can back out is the nautical language —There are several series that include a glossary in the end, like that of Aubrey and Maturinby O'Brian. But if you are passionate, you enjoy each other a lot.
These three go of the most popular along with O'Brian's, starring three of the best known characters, all subjects also of His Gracious Majesty.
Richard Bolitho - Alexander Kent (Doug Reeman)
Douglas reemanBorn in Surrey, he enlisted in the British Royal Navy with sixteen years and fought in World War II and in Korea. These experiences Vitals gave him the best references to write novels based on the Navy and naval adventures on the high seas.
He published his first novel in 1958 and ten years later began this series that he already signed with the pseudonym of Alexander Kent. He placed them in the time of Admiral Nelson, of revolutionary America and Napoleonic Europe. Focus on the military career of Richard Bolitho and his nephew, Adam Bolitho. Its 28 titles that they started with Midshipman Bolitho.
In that first novel we are in 1772 and Bolitho, aged sixteen, embarks as a midshipman on the Gorgon for East Africa to suppress those who oppose the British navy. Then go back to your Cornwall natal leave while they are repairing their boat. There he meets smugglers and criminals who roam the entire region, but he has to interrupt his rest to embark again.
Horatio Hornblower - Cecil S. Forester
Cecil Scott Forester He was born in Cairo on August 27, 1899, as his father, a professor, was a British government official. He studied medicine, but did not finish his degree. It was also Hollywood screenwriter and got fame for this saga and its protagonist, Horace Hornblower, who was given life in the cinema by a perfect Gregory Peck en The gentleman of the seas.
Another of his best known titles is The Queen of Africa, which was also brought to the big screen by John houston in another memorable movie.
El midshipman Hornblower is the first title of a saga of ten more. We know it as a shy and lonely Seventeen-year-old midshipman arriving at his first destination: the ship Justinian. The harsh conditions life of a Navy ship in wartime will pose a great challenge to which joins the combat against french fleet. After emerging unscathed from a duel he embarks on the frigate indefatigable, where do you intend to go ascending in his carrer.
Alan Lewrie - Dewey Lambdin
Dewey Lambdin is American, son of a naval officer and the creator of the English sailor Alan Lewrie. And unlike the upright and chivalrous Hornblower or the cunning and sometimes very foolish Aubrey, Lewrie stands out as a rich libertine with no morals and no worries when we meet him in In the service of the king.
With that title - they are 26 - begins one of those that many consider the best naval series of recent times or, at least, with more rhythm and excellent characterizations that do not neglect the detail.