I totally understood the mythological reference in the title, thanks to Mr. Rossi's senior AP Lit and Comp. And the district is trying to limit him to a standards-based anthology. More's the pity. Atropos is one of the three Fates who determine the lives of mortals; she is the one who cuts the thread of life when she thinks it long enough, as Forester's scissor-wielding figurehead aptly demonstrated.
The story continued favorably the Hornblower saga. Horatio commands his ship on a mission to the shores of Turkey, where he must recover sunken treasure of the British navy's. Adventures ensue. Meanwhile, his children contract smallpox, and they die in the next book. Forester is ruthless, but riveting.
Truly, Horatio is the quintessential hero. Forester keeps him from becoming tedious by inflicting him with constant self-doubt, ceaseless waves of misfortune, and a refreshing pessimism. Horatio acts only as he believes duty dictates to him, never sure of his decisions or the merit of his successes, never glorying in his noble motives or clever actions. Things typically turn out all right for him, but as soon as one problem is defaced and defused, another is staring him down. Moreover, he is always looking over his shoulder, anticipating hardship with a doleful resignation towards his lot in life.
It's great, great stuff. Romantic sea-faring yarn-spinning takes a back seat to realism in all its grim believability. Nevertheless, "where there is life, there is hope," and as long as Horatio survives another battle, the story is a happy one, and fascinating encounters are certain for the future. - 22 November 2005 |
