C. S. ForesterThe African Queen

Forester has a writing style that places you right in the action with well-drawn characters and a good plot. Then he ends the story with a whimper. The movie ending is more satisfying. I liked his Hornblower series better than Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey; however I’m not sure I want to read anymore Forester.

I've never seen the movie but the little blurb Macmillan gave piqued my interest. Especially since I had read Riddle of the Sands (Also in Macmillan's collector's library) and loved it. I wanted another boat adventure and this one delivered. I even looked up what a steam launch looked like and found out the one used in the movie has been restored and is at Key Largo Florida and you can take an excursion on it.Even though it is a boat adventure, it is more about the interplay between two different personality types. Rose, the sister of a missionary has been pretty much dominated by the strong personality of her brother. But in fact, she proves to be made of sterner stuff. When she was baulked of her great purpose she had devised for herself, she didn't just give up and pine away like her brother did. Allnutt the pilot of the steam launch is the sort who has let life happen to him. When he visits right after Rose's brother dies, she happens to him. She gets him to go along with a very ill-advised scheme of shooting the rapids of a river in a decrepit boat to go to a lake and destroy a German ship by ramming it. I won't tell you more, you have to read it yourself. Very good read. I think this book would make a great beach read.Macmillans' Collector's Library editions are such pretty, portable little books. Handy, like a pulp paperback, but made of quality materials to last. The jacket on this one is especially colorful and pretty. I have quite a few volumes in the collection and some of my favorites have been schlepped everywhere and tolerated numerous reads. The size makes them ideal for travel and they don't take up much space in a suitcase.

I WATCHED THE MOVIE AND THEN READ THE BOOK AND REALLY ENJOYED THE STORY AS THE MOVIE FOLLOWED THE BOOK EXCEPT FOR THE ENDING. ALSO RATHER RACEY FOR A 1935 BOOK

The movie is similar to the book. It’s a great story that’s quite straight forward. Mr. Forrester’s writing is clear and concise. One can almost think of other things while reading it (I have a habit of doing so) and not miss anything. This is both good and not-so-good. I prefer writing that leaves the reader to interpret meaning on their own, more metaphorical. But, in this case, the author wants his readers to understand his story, his way. Nevertheless, it’s a classic book which was made into a classic film that left a huge footprint on the 20th century.

C.S. Forester at his best - a lushly told, exciting and brave journey down a river in Africa, in an unsuitable boat - successful but not without a price paid by two very different people who fall in love. You will fall in love with them as you devour this well written, satisfying story. Watch the movie after you read this book and you will love what the movie provided as an ending. Still well worth the read!!!

It's a great story that varies slightly from the classic Bogart/Hepburn classic movie. 'Nuff said there. Book is beautifully bound, hardcover, gold-edged pages, and a built-in bookmark, and literally fits in your back pocket. I was quite pleasantly surprised to see the quality of what I received after expecting your average, run-of-the-mill paperback.

A nice novel for the summertime.Somewhat on the "light" side, but OK.I bought it since I admire the author and I saw the movies.Strictly for the "fiction" public.

This book will transport you into tropical Africa, heat, insects, torrential downpours. Charlie and Rose sail the rickety African Queen down terrifying river rapids to do battle with a German gunboat at the beginning of WWI. The book is a thriller. And the ending is different from the ending in the classic Bogart - Hepburn film. Which ending is better “is not easily decided.”

I was a little nervous about reading this book as the film is such a favourite and the Hepburn/Bogart combo was branded into my mind. It had been recommended, however, so I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did. It is a wonderful read and I loved almost every moment and kept sneaking off with it when I should have been busy doing other things. I hesitated about giving it five stars because of the way the cockney accent is written phonetically, which I found off putting (though I did get used to it). I also wanted a different ending! The strength of the narrative convinced me, however, that it deserved five stars and I am going to recommend it to everyone I meet.

If your only experience of The African Queen is the 1951 Bogart/Hepburn film, you must read this book. The characters are infinitely more interesting; Rose is in her early thirties, unlike Hepburn and Allnutt is a weak and timid Cockney who grows throughout the story into an unlikely hero. The story is set in Central Africa at the beginning of the First World War. The strong-willed missionary Rose persuades mechanic and skipper Allnutt that they can use his steam launch,The African Queen, to make a patriotic strike against the Germans. The plan is preposterous – she want him to sink the German gunboat Königin Luise, docked on a lake downstream. Her silences and bad treatment persuade Allnutt to take on the task and as they travel down river, through exhiliarating rapids, occupied villages, leech invested swamps and miles of reeds and water-grass, they become closer as well as becoming lovers. CS Forester's depiction of the steaming, creaking country is the heart of this wonderful book. It is an adventure story full of excitement and tension with a fascinating and convincingly odd romance at its centre.

The story is well known. What surprised me most is the sexual frisson that Forester instils in the book from the first page. Rose is the sister of a missionary and it is a position she quickly adopts in her liberating journey with her Cockney 'beast of burden' down the Ulanga River.Charlie Allnutt readily becomes the quiescent tool in Rose's wish to strike a blow for freedom and revenge against the German 'navy' in First World War East Africa. He would 'sooner be guided and driven' than take the lead but this is contrary to what Rose expects from the 'godlike...superior sex'. Their journey allows them to work out a relationship which satisfies their expectations of each other.The narrative drags you in. Their are several set-piece sections which are great fun to read and allow you to forget the iffy cockney accent. Charlie progresses from a weak character who is ready to admit his cowardice only to himself and flourishes under the manipulative, stout hearted Rose. She 'comes into flower' on a liberating jouney of self-discovery and sexual release.All great fun and hugely readable until we get to the denouement. No further spoiler comment but that's why it's four stars not five.

I loved the film, so I decided to read the original novel. I am glad I did. The book gives us more detail about Rosie and Charlie and their attempt to sink a German steamer at the start of WW1. Both central characters are well rounded, both given the opportunity to final become the people they are. A love and adventure story rolled into one.

I grew up with Hornblower and was interested to see what the book that spawned the classic film was like. To be honest I hadn't realised that CS Forrester had written it! Of course the book and film touch occasionally.,but that's only to be expected. It's a tale that romps along. Slightly un pc for these modern times. However, a good read and I'm glad I did bother.