Snarleyyow

Frederick Marryat

Jan 2010 · Marryat cycle Book 9 · Fireship Press

About this ebook

From the Father of Modern Nautical Fiction "If Mr. MIdshipman Easy is today his best known story, the one which followed it, Snarleyyow, is in a purely literary sense the real masterpiece of his literary output, in which his skill in characterization and construction, coupled with his sense of the truly dramatic reached its peak." - The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea The story takes place in 1699, during the reign of William III, and touches on Jacobite affairs following the attempt of Sir George Barclay to assassinate the King. The dog (Snarleyyow), which plays such a prominent role, belongs to a rascally lieutenant commanding a small vessel hunting for smugglers. The lieutenant's avarice gets him mixed up with the Jacobites. But the real hero of the story is the half-starved sailor Smallbones. Captain Vanslyperken tries vainly to kill him-while Smallbones tries to get even by attempting to kill the captain's hated dog, Snarleyyow. But, somehow, neither will be killed. All attempts at drowning, bashing on the head, and hanging fail, as they both seem to live charmed lives. There is great macabre farce here as one crazy situation follows another; but, at the same time, the story has many episodes of characteristic fun and outrageous comedy.

About the author

Frederick Marryat was born on July 10, 1792 in London, England. He entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14 and served with distinction in many parts of the world before retiring in 1830 with the rank of captain. From 1832 to 1835, he edited the Metropolitan Magazine. His first novel, The Naval Officer, was published in 1829. His other adult novels include Mr. Midshipman Easy, The Kings Own, Newton Forster, Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful, and The Phantom Ship. He also wrote a number of children's books including Masterman Ready, Settlers in Canada, The Mission, The Children of the New Forest, and The Little Savages. He travelled in Canada and the United States from 1837 to 1839. Afterward, he recorded his impressions in A Diary in America. He died on August 9, 1848.