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Mr Midshipman Easy, by Frederick MarryatThis book was written in the 1830s for entertainment rather than as an historical fiction book. But as it was written by a Captain in the Royal Navy at the time, it is even so a book 
well grounded in the historical realities of the times. As well, this story is a sharp, and at times also very witty social commentary.
Mr Midshipman Easy tells the tales of the multiple adventures of a well to do son of an amateur philosopher after he has entered the Royal Navy. He joins to press his socialist philosophy of the "equality of man". Fast paced, lots of action and adventure, although it may be a little farfetched at times. The tale is filled with everything the high-seas have to offer – love, friendship, heroic deeds, luck and fortune. And there are lots if interesting and funny stuff, like the come-uppance of a conniving father-confessor and an odd, strange and even hilarious three-way duel, and much more. It is a delightful book, probably even more humorous and entertaining today than it might have been 200 years ago. A remarkable book, especially considering the time in which it was written. Mr Midshipman Easy is recognized as one of the most authentic works of nautical adventure in literature. Frederick MarryatMarryat was born in London, the son of Joseph Marryat, a "merchant prince" and Member of Parliament. He became a midshipman on board HMS Imperieuse, a frigate commanded by Lord Cochrane (who would later serve as inspiration for both Marryat and other authors) in 1806.Frederick Marryat (see pickture) was involved in naval action off the Gironde, He returned to the Mediterranean in HMS Centaur, 74 guns, and again saved a shipmate by leaping into the sea after him. In 1811 he joined the frigate HMS Aeolus of 32 guns in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There he again earned distinction by leading the effort to cut away the Aeolus' main yard to save the ship during a storm, and also saved one of the men from the sea. Then he moved to the frigate HMS Spartan and participated in the capture of a number of American ships December 26, 1812, he was promoted to lieutenant. As lieutenant, Marryat served in the sloop Espiegle and in the Newcastle, and was promoted to commander June 13, 1815, just in time for peace. In 1819 he married Catherine Shairp, with whom he had 11 children. In 1820 he commanded the sloop Beaver and temporarily commanded Rosario. In 1823 he was appointed to HMS Larne, 20, and took part in an expedition against Burma in 1824. During this expedition he was promoted to command HMS Tees, 28, and this gave him his post captain rank. He was back in England in 1826. In 1829 he was commanded the frigate HMS Ariadne. He decided to resign his commission in November 1830 and take up writing full time. The King’s Own, by Frederick MarryatBooks by Marryat:
 
the mutiny at Nore, was left without parents, and was adopted by a seaman on a navy ship. He advances from ship's boy, becomes midshipman, and finally lieutenant. We follow him through his many challenges - engagements at sea with smugglers, pirates, and the French.
However, the little boy was also, unknown to himself, the grandson of an admiral and the heir to a huge estate. So there are two stories in the book that runs parallel to one another. I found the book to be very exciting and interesting, but also a bit sad. For it is a strange tale, and a tale full of pain and sorrow Marryat tells here. As were, there are some pretty hard scenes in the book, involving for instance tortured before a hanging, amputations, shark attacks, and such. The King's Own confirmed Frederick Marryat’s status as a good writer, and was a great success when it was published. It is a good and very interesting read, not least because it was written nearly two hundred years ago. Snarleyyow or The Dog Fiend, by Frederick MarryatThis book tells the strange tale of Captain Cornelius Vanslyperken, his dog Snarleyyow and the sailor Smallbones. The hero is the half-starved sailor Smallbones. 
The book is set in 1699. It is framed around the Jacobite (supporters of the overthrown king, James II) conspiracies of the time. The commander of a small vessel hunting for smugglers around the coast of England, Lieutenant Cornelius Vanslyperken is greedy and treacherous. And Snarleyyow is his more or less indestructible dog.
It is to a large extent a book about power and evil, betrayal and revenge. Captain Vanslyperken tries vainly to kill Smallbones while Smallbones tries to get even by attempting to kill the captain's hated dog, Snarleyyow. And the attempts in either direction are plural: drowning, bashing on the head and hanging. But they all fail. As well, the story has both seafaring intrigue and high political double cross. Snarleyyow is a very macabre farce with lots of dry wit, where one crazy situation follows another. The action is constant and entertaining. The characters are, to say the least, unusual. There is not a redeeming character anywhere. For an aficionado of this period of English history this book will prove to be a most enjoyable read. Marryat is known for his sea stories and there are the realistic views of seafaring life plus a creditable adventure story, but the humor makes the novel special. In addition to plenty of cannon fire, battle strategy, peril, and passion—liberally sprinkled with wit and fine turns of phrase—Marryat's real-life naval experiences lend his novels a truly remarkable authenticity. Snarleyyow or The Dog Fiend is a special and somewhat strange story well worth reading. To the top |
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captures of many ships off the Mediterranean coast of Spain, and the capture of the castle of Mongat. In 1809, Marryat contracted malaria, and returned to England on HMS Victorious, 74 guns.
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