Mr. Midshipman Easy

Written by Frederick Marryat

Narrated by Michael Healy

At fourteen the unworldly, idealistic Jack Easy leaves the luxury of his father’s estate in England and sails into a world of action and adventure aboard the sloop of war HMS Harpy. At first Jack finds it hard to stomach the discipline of naval life and, with his mischievous sense of humor, is always getting himself into scrapes. But soon he is bravely taming a band of mutineering seamen, outwitting a wily and murderous Sicilian nobleman, and breathing the smell of gunpowder and raw steel as the Harpy chases Spanish ships on the Mediterranean.This neglected 1836 classic is both a rousing adventure story and a profound coming-of-age tale written with great skill and humor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release date: Jan 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781455159895

Frederick Marryat

Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was an English naval officer and novelist. Born in London, Marryat was raised in a prominent merchant family by Joseph Marryat, a member of Parliament, and his American wife Charlotte. He joined the Royal Navy in 1806 as a midshipman on the HMS Imperieuse, serving under Lord Cochrane. Throughout his naval career, he served on several ships and was present at battles against the French fleet off the coast of Spain. On the HMS Spartan, he fought in the War of 1812 and participated in raids on New England. After the war, he worked as an inventor and artist, patenting a new lifeboat and making a famous sketch of Napoleon on his deathbed in Saint Helena. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1830 to pursue a career as a professional writer, producing nautical novels and finding success with Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836). He frequently based his stories on his own experiences and earned a reputation as a member of Charles Dickens’ influential literary circle. His novels of adventure on the high seas would inspire countless storytellers, including Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and Joseph Conrad.

Reviews for Mr. Midshipman Easy

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At second reading it is still a good book, perhaps a little unbelievable all these things happening to one guy in so short a time. But still fun, and the moral does give one pause.

[rsstick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This amusing story is in the nature of a romp. The turn of phrase is sometimes hilarious, unfortunately the adventures are so outlandish that they begin to pall after a while. This was a free Kindle book; it was worth the time I invested in it, and it yielded some enjoyable chuckles and outright laughs. I doubt I will reread it.