Peter Simple

Captain Marryat's Peter Simple launches with the comic misfortunes of a self-described "fool of the family," an awkward young man pushed into naval service and into a world far rougher than his rural upbringing has prepared him for. Sent first to London and then on to Portsmouth, Peter endures family embarrassment, stock-market anxieties, coach-road absurdities, and the first shocks of seafaring life, all filtered through his innocent, self-deprecating voice. Once among the midshipmen, he is swept into drinking, insults, a duel, and a series of humiliations that expose both his vanity and his vulnerability. Yet the novel is more than farce: Peter's encounters with stern captains, harsh discipline, and bluntly wise shipmates such as O'Brien and the boatswain Chucks gradually teach him about honor, prudence, obedience, and self-respect. With lively satire, colorful sailors, and a lively portrait of British naval life, the story turns misadventure into a comic coming-of-age. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.