Snarleyyow, or, the Dog Fiend

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.

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.