Midshipman's Hope

Reviewed by Kathryn Andersen (15 June 2005)

Hornblower in Spaaaaace!

I read David Feintuch's "Midshipman's Hope", and it is soooo "Hornblower in space" -- down to the education-gap between rich and poor, the perilous difficulties in navigation, the Captain's word being Law, and a stiff religiousity (which fits much better into the 18th century than the 22nd century). I felt like reading something with Duty and Honour and Bravery, and I figured this would have it, and it does to a degree, but I think I might have been better off re-reading "On Basilisk Station" instead. The Honor Harrington novels have less obsession with military discipline, a protagonist who is a little more sympathetic, and much more interesting worldbuilding. Oh, I finished it, but I don't think I'll read the other Seafort books.

(Original version at my livejournal)