Snarleyyow or the Dog Fiend (Classics of Naval Fiction) [Paperback]

Captain Frederick Marryat (Author)

Book Description

Series: Classics of Naval Fiction | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Set in 1699 and framed around the Jacobite (supporters of the overthrown king, James II) conspiracies of the time, Lieutenant Cornelius Vanslyperken is the greedy and treacherous commander of a small vessel that hunts for smugglers in the English Channel. Snarleyyow is his "indestructible" dog.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Captain Frederick Marryat (1792–1848) was an actual 19th-century British naval hero who lived a saga worthy of the novels of C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian. He survived fifty naval battles on the crack frigate Imperieuse under Lord Cochrane—the real-life model for Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey. In addition to plenty of cannonfire, battle strategy, peril, and passion—liberally sprinkled with wit and fine turns of phrase—Marryat's real-life naval experiences lend his novels a truly remarkable authenticity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McBooks Press (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935526641
• ISBN-13: 978-0935526646
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,115,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Strange Tale (or is that tail?), November 9, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Jones (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snarleyyow or the Dog Fiend (Classics of Naval Fiction) (Paperback)

Snarleyyow is about betrayal and revenge. It is not a seafaring tale per se but the action is constant and entertaining. The plot follows the exploits of a Dutch naval officer serving in the Royal Navy. The characters are unusual and fully developed. The story regularly jumps from seafaring intrigue to high political doublecross. There is not a redeming character anywhere. For an aficionado of this period of English history this book will prove to be a most enjoyable read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure Mixed with Farce - a unique novel, July 2, 2007

By 

Jaromir Benesch (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snarleyyow or the Dog Fiend (Classics of Naval Fiction) (Paperback)

The hero of this novel 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 neither will be killed: attempts at drowning, bashing on the head, hanging all fail as they live charmed lives...great macabre farce here as one crazy situation follows another. Marryat is known for his sea stories and there are the realistic views of seafaring life plus a creditable adventure story, but the humor makes the novel special. Some critics have pointed to Nancy, a reformed prostitute, as the first example of a stock character in fiction but what makes Marryat special is his freedom from Victorian prudery and sentimentality. For my money this is a forgotten minor classic.