Hornblower book 1 · 1937
The Happy Return
In 1808, Captain Hornblower takes the frigate Lydia on a secret voyage to the Pacific coast of Central America, to support a rebel leader against Spain. On the way, he is forced to take aboard a passenger, Lady Barbara Wellesley.
Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.
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Book facts
- Author
- C. S. Forester
- Series
- Hornblower, book 1 of 11
- Published
- 1937
- Setting
- Set at sea
- Story order
- Book 6 by the story’s timeline
- Characters charted
- 4
- Chart confidence
- High
The Happy Return on screen
- Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951, film, Cinema). Gregory Peck plays the reserved, brilliant Royal Navy captain on a secret mission to Central America.
In story order: after Hornblower and the Atropos and before A Ship of the Line.
Who is in The Happy Return
4 recurring or key characters from C. S. Forester’s chart. Introduces Horatio Hornblower, William Bush, Maria Mason and Lady Barbara Wellesley.
Lead 1
- Horatio HornblowerFirst appearanceNaval officer who rises to admiral
Major 2
- William BushFirst appearanceHornblower's loyal first lieutenant
- Lady Barbara WellesleyFirst appearanceHornblower's great love
Minor and cameo 1
- Maria MasonFirst appearanceHornblower's first wife
Also featuring these characters
Other C. S. Forester books that share the most characters with The Happy Return.
- Flying Colours1938 · Hornblower · 3 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- The Commodore1945 · Hornblower · 3 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Lord Hornblower1946 · Hornblower · 3 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Hornblower and the Hotspur1962 · Hornblower · 3 shared charactersBuy on Amazon