At one point, Easy and a friend take passage in an Italian boat. Easy recklessly allows the captain to see his gold doubloons, and the captain attempts to kill him and his friend. They turn the tables on the piratical captain, and he and all his crew are killed in the process, save one, who is wounded. Easy and Gascoigne discuss whether to throw the wounded man overboard in a manner that strikes one as callous. There are a lot of other incidents that were undoubtedly hilarious at the time, but strike the modern reader as rather un-PC and illustrative of prejudices held by many Britons of that time against certain ethnic and religious groups.
But it's all meant in good fun, and Marryat is obviously sincere. Initially attracted to Easy when he overhears him talking about the equality of men as he performs his duties in the galley of the ship, he saves Easy's life, becomes his constant companion and advisor, and by the end of the book is major-domo of Easy's vast estates. Midshipman Easy follows the escapades of a young midshipman who enters the King's service with some ideas that run badly afoul of the standards of naval discipline!
The author was an actual 19th-century British naval hero who lived a saga worthy of the novels of C. Forester or Patrick O'Brian. Captain Frederick Marryat survived fifty naval battles and served on the crack frigate Imperieuse under Lord Cochrane - the real-life model for Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey. Midshipman Easy is said to have been inspired by Cochrane's adventures as a young midshipman.
Review quote "Marryat has the power to set us in the midst of ships and men and sea and sky all vivid, credible, authentic. About Captain Frederick Marryat Captain Frederick Marryat was an actual 19th-century British naval hero who lived a saga worthy of the novels of C. Forester and Patrick O'Brian. He survived fifty naval battles on the crack frigate Imperieuse under Lord Cochrane--the real-life model for Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey.
That's what Jack was, a rock star in another time. Management put up with him because he was so dynamic and things got done-somehow. Now his approach would be disastrous for 99 percent of the population, but Jack was in the top 1 percent, apparently. I give it a solid 3 stars, a significant departure from the much more dense and serious James Fenimore Cooper sea tales in that Marryat has quite the sense of humor, and displays it more than Cooper ever would.
Jun 24, Mike Franklin rated it really liked it Shelves: Mr Midshipman Easy was written about the Napoleonic wars, in which Marryat himself had served with some distinction, attaining the rank of captain before he retired. Add to that the fact that he was much admired as a novelist by the likes of Mark Twain, Joseph Conrad and Earnest Hemingwa Mr Midshipman Easy was written about the Napoleonic wars, in which Marryat himself had served with some distinction, attaining the rank of captain before he retired.
However it is a mistake to approach this book as simply a more authentic version of Hornblower or Aubrey, rather, characteristic of his time, family and social issues tend to overshadow the naval actions. In fact around the middle of the book Marryat even interrupts the narrative for several pages to address the reader directly and justify the death of a character in a duel based upon a social transgression and continuing with a defence against the criticism of his writings being too critical of the Navy of the time. He even describes with, no little hubris, how a humanitarian approach to punishment described in one of his books came to be adopted by the navy as formal procedure.
Jack Easy is the only son of a wealthy landowner with somewhat unusual beliefs in the equality of all men, especially when laid against the then current fear of the spread of revolution from France. The reader gets no prizes for guessing that this will not make a harmonious mix. Throughout the book the social distance between Jack and Mesty is constantly used to highlight both the strengths and flaws of Jacks egalitarian beliefs.
However late in the book we get the following: You used to think otherwise. Now dat I ship's corporal and hab cane, I tink so no longer. However the book is my no means just a social commentary. And a fairly unlikely set of adventures they are, especially in the largely absent consequences experienced by Jack.
But they do make for an enjoyable piece of adventurous hokum. A slightly odd mix but one that did somehow work for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Midshipman Easy and will probably read more from Marryat. Feb 21, Christopher Taylor rated it liked it.
This is one of the first Napoleonic sea novels ever written, a tradition followed up by later authors such as CS Forester and Patrick O'Brian. Written by a Midshipman under Nelson who later became a Captain himself, this book tells the story of a radical midshipman whose leveling ideas and democratizing inclinations gets him into all manner of mischief and adventures. The book is written more or less as a comedy, and while I was looking forward to tales of sailing as seen through the eyes of a bo This is one of the first Napoleonic sea novels ever written, a tradition followed up by later authors such as CS Forester and Patrick O'Brian.
The book is written more or less as a comedy, and while I was looking forward to tales of sailing as seen through the eyes of a boy who grew to a man under Nelson's guidance, instead its a bit of a farce, and a strangely jarring one from modern eyes. In the middle of the generally humorous storytelling, Marryat includes a plea for better treatment of Midshipmen, particularly by the warrant officers, but not anything for the lower ranks of seamen. The protagonist Mr Easy is more or less democratic, but presumes superiority over any men he's with, particularly the one black sailor aboard the ship.
His ideas of leveling are always tempered by his time, so he ends up being rather inconsistent and sometimes contradictory.
Mr Midshipman Easy
I wanted a great sea adventure and instead got a series of misadventures and humorous stories about a guy who lives largely on luck and the unrealistically kind treatment of his superior officers. As such it was a bit of a disappointment, although still entertaining at one level. Aug 14, Tricia rated it really liked it. John Jack Easy is a spoiled child who has adopted his father's philosophy that everyone is equal - which means Jack is entitled to take what isn't his, do what he wants, and justify his actions through debate and argument.
He signs on as a midshipman in the Royal Navy, thinking he'll find perfect equality on the seas.
Fortunately, the captain he signs under is a friend and doesn't have him court martialled, but instead is patient, helping wean him off his father's flawed philosophy. In an era o John Jack Easy is a spoiled child who has adopted his father's philosophy that everyone is equal - which means Jack is entitled to take what isn't his, do what he wants, and justify his actions through debate and argument.
In an era of sailing ships and state-sponsored piracy, we have a hero who cannot help but get into "scrapes". What results is an entertaining yarn. There's lots of gore sharks, grape shot, and hand-to-hand combat will do that , but it's offset by lots of comedic situations. May 29, Oismiffy rated it liked it. Not sure what to say about this one. Certainly parts of it I enjoyed, but for the most it was just annoying and verging on the boring, as the main character wanted to argue pointlessly about everything.
Sep 01, Johannes Kristian rated it really liked it. I really liked this book. This is the first book that I have read that is really naval literature and I liked it. The first chapter, entitled "Which the reader will find easy to read" set the tone somewhat, with dry humor, puns, and even some thought provoking comments. The Heart of Oak Sea Classics edition edited by Dean King contains a number of helpful footnotes explaining nautical terminology and obsolete expressions.
A great comedy and romp through life in the Royal Navy in the early s. Marryat had continued the story of midshipman Easy in a series of books. Best fiction I've read in quite a while. Dec 18, Jonathan rated it it was amazing.
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I stumbled on this book while reading In The Kingdom Of Ice by Hampton Sides, which is an interesting book about the testosterone-laden attempts to reach the north pole, and the interesting characters involved. Sides mentions that a major character, George De Long, had been influenced by the books of Frederick Marryat, who had lived at the end of the 18th century. A quick search of Project Gutenburg produced several of Marryat's books, including this one.
I was first surprised by Marryat's writin I stumbled on this book while reading In The Kingdom Of Ice by Hampton Sides, which is an interesting book about the testosterone-laden attempts to reach the north pole, and the interesting characters involved. I was first surprised by Marryat's writing style. Were it not for a few archaic terms I would have thought that the book was written in the last few years as a historic novel rather than being fiction of the times. No wading through the tedious language of other early 19th century writers.
The story, being of a naval theme, does require some understanding of sea life. There is some gentle derision of some of the popular culture of the time, such as an interest in 'leveling' society and in phrenology, some humorous situations, much less blood and gore than might be expected in a naval book, and the moral that good and honest sometimes wins the day.
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If 'historical novels interest you, particularly the Hornblower books, try this one. Once again, the good guys win. Feb 09, Heather rated it really liked it. Most of the way through, this would have been an easy 5 stars. But, then it kept going and going and going Other than dragging out too long, this was so fun! Plenty of adventures at sea and on land, endearing characters, and interesting philosophical ideas to think about.
I love his phrase, "Let us argue the point! Aug 13, John rated it really liked it Shelves: A self styled "philosopher" with an odd philosophy joins the navy to spread the truth. What follows is one mad cap adventure after another. There is a story but frankly it reads as random events that happen to this guy. What happens is so unbelievable that it's worth reading about. Yet it also is a serious look at the British navy and its problems. And it's also a discussion of life and how it's held together.
If you enjoy stories of the open sea, you'll love this. It re An odd book. It reminded me a bit of The Pickwick Papers as the characters go from one ridiculous thing to the next. Dec 14, Glen Raffel rated it really liked it. Entertaining work with a wry sense of humor. Became a bit preachy towards the end.
Also need to get past the period racism and anti-Semitism to enjoy. The ideas held by Jack's father re. It's a bit of a shame when Jack repudiates these ideas and conforms.
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Also interesting is the concept of privateering which I wasn't aware of before. Ordinary seamen could become privateers which consisted of a kind of legalised piracy - attacking other ships, taking goods and money to finance future voyages. The book is great fun. This story is hilarious. Satire and fun all the way. Jack Easy isn't so easy as a youth and drives his parents to distraction. Quite an unruly boy with a phrenologist father who tries to judge character by reading bumps on the skull.
Jack upsets the household, gets sent off for schooling with a preist who basically tries to beat some sense into him and then unruly Jack gets sent to sea in an attempt to get him some disciple and face the real world. This is farcical and fun all the way. Lot's of l This story is hilarious. Mar 02, Seth rated it really liked it.
I'd been a fan of nautical fiction for quite a while before reading this. I suppose I didn't start it because I had a conception that it would feel stodgy and show it's age. I'd already slogged through James Fennimore Cooper's nautical fiction, which seemed terribly slow even though I generally enjoyed them. I needn't have worried about this one, though. The novel was entertaining and humorous right from the beginning, and maintained that tone throughout. The adventures were suitably adventurous, I'd been a fan of nautical fiction for quite a while before reading this.
The adventures were suitably adventurous, rescuing beautiful maidens, subduing mutineers etc. All of it adds up to a very fun read. Very different from any of the naval fiction I've read previously, and I can see why it's regarded as "Marryat's best work.
Mr Midshipman Easy - Wikipedia
His naivety and cleverness together make him an endearing character, and although I usually enjoy first-person narratives more, I did like Mr. Midshipman Easy better than Peter Simple. Nov 01, Chris Callaway rated it really liked it. A great seafaring yarn. Wodehouse in his wry, comical sensibility.