"Newton Foster or The
Merchant Service" by Frederick Marryat
I have read three other Marryat books; "Peter Simple", "Mr. Midshipman Easy", and "The King's Own". Of the four, this was my favorite. This book is rich in characters, locales, and some of Marryat's philosophy. There is also a fair amount of good humor.
The main character is Newton Foster, who spends time on a coaster, then is impressed into the navy, then sails aboard a West Indiaman, and finally an East Indiaman. He travels on many voyages and encounters many interesting (and some nasty) characters. The few actions in the book are sharp and well detailed. Other characters followed in the book are his absent minded father, his two uncles, his shrewish mother, and a baby girl brought ashore to one of his uncles by a dog after a shipwreck. All these characters revolve in their separate orbits, occasionally crossing paths, but in the end converge to a most satisfying ending.
Captain Marryat
was a master of his craft during his time. His thoughts (asides)
and mastery of the English language are to be envied.
Available from:
McBooks Press, Classics of Nautical Fiction
120 W. State St.
Ithaca NY 14850
www.mcbooks.com
