Percival Keene (1842) is a novel by Frederick Marryat. Inspired by the author’s experience as a captain in the Royal Navy, Percival Keene is a tale of bravery, identity, and the manifold reasons for men to take to the high seas. Frequently funny, often profound, Marryat’s novel is an underappreciated classic of nineteenth century fiction. “‘Dead! Well, fathers do die sometimes; you must get on how you can without one. I don’t think fathers are of much use, for, you see, mothers take care of you till you’re old enough to go to sea. My father did nothing for me, except to help mother to lick me, when I was obstropolous.’” Percival Keene is a troubled young man: raised by his mother and grandmother, he gains a reputation for troublemaking and disobedience early on. At school, he lashes out against bullying teacher Mr. O’Gallagher by adding poison to his sandwiches, knowing that the man will steal his lunch as usual. On Guy Fawkes Day, however, Percival finally crosses the line by setting off fireworks underneath O’Gallagher’s office, destroying the school and nearly killing the Irishman. Years later, having lost his chance at receiving an education, Percival enlists in the Royal Navy. While serving on the H.M. Calliope, he discovers that his father may not have been the marine Ben Keene, but rather his employer Captain Delmar. This edition of Frederick Marryat’s Percival Keene is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
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About the author
Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was an English naval officer and novelist. Born in London, Marryat was raised in a prominent merchant family by Joseph Marryat, a member of Parliament, and his American wife Charlotte. He joined the Royal Navy in 1806 as a midshipman on the HMS Imperieuse, serving under Lord Cochrane. Throughout his naval career, he served on several ships and was present at battles against the French fleet off the coast of Spain. On the HMS Spartan, he fought in the War of 1812 and participated in raids on New England. After the war, he worked as an inventor and artist, patenting a new lifeboat and making a famous sketch of Napoleon on his deathbed in Saint Helena. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1830 to pursue a career as a professional writer, producing nautical novels and finding success with Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836). He frequently based his stories on his own experiences and earned a reputation as a member of Charles Dickens’ influential literary circle. His novels of adventure on the high seas would inspire countless storytellers, including Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and Joseph Conrad.
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