Coming Home from War

Hornblower, by any standard the dominant character in the narrative, makes several transitions between peaceful life and life at war. Upon the novel's opening, he is at home attending church services during a time of war. As expected, within a few hours he is aboard a military ship heading into probable combat. After a brief but intense period of conflict, Hornblower again goes ashore—this time as a mayor of a French city which has defected from Napoleon's France. Here, Hornblower is joined by his wife and faces the daunting task of playing the dual role of husband and military commander. Finally, the war ends and Hornblower goes home—but only briefly, as he finds life at home during a time of peace untenable. Shortly thereafter, he is back in France, seeking an extramarital affair. Once again, war breaks out and Hornblower is...