A Middy of the King - A Romance of the Old British Navy by Harry Collingwood AUDIOBOOK

A Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British Navy, penned by Harry Collingwood, offers a spirited and authentic glimpse into the vigour, discipline, and family loyalties of the Royal Navy during the age of sail. Set in the late 18th or early 19th century, the narrative unfolds through the eyes of Richard Delamere, a young midshipman whose recent recovery from wounds and deep affection for his family form a quiet prelude to the world of duty and derring-do that awaits him.

Collingwood, himself deeply familiar with naval life, infuses the novel with meticulous period detail and the rhythm of day-to-day existence in both country house and dockyard. The early pages ground the listener in the rural peace of Delamere Hall, where paternal pride and bittersweet memories linger, before the call of service draws Richard—and with him, the reader—towards Portsmouth and the proud, freshly launched frigate, H.M.S. Europa. The preparations for the Europa's first commission provide a fascinating lens on naval rigour and camaraderie, evoking the technicalities of seamanship as well as the youthful exhilaration of service.

Themes of honour, patriotism, and the forging of character are woven with warm portrayals of paternal affection and the loneliness that can attend both home and sea. The prose is dignified yet accessible, enriched by Collingwood’s flair for dialogue and his admiration for courage and skill. Listeners will appreciate the book’s balance between the atmospheres of English country gentry and the bustling dockyards on the eve of action, rendered with authenticity and nostalgic respect for the traditions of the Royal Navy.

A Middy of the King serves as both an adventure and a window onto a formative era, appealing especially to those who favour coming-of-age tales framed by history and seafaring life.

Audiobook time & format : 10h20m44s, OPUS, 486 Mo
Audiobook free extract time & format : 5m (see below to listen), WAV
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