Frank Mildmay; Or, The Naval Officer

"Frank Mildmay; Or, The Naval Officer" by Frederick Marryat is a historical fiction that follows Frank Mildmay's entry into the navy, mirroring the author’s own life at sea in the early 1800s. The novel starts with Frank's reflections on his childhood, his family's place in society, and his troublesome days at school, where he developed a defiant attitude. His choice to join the navy marks a shift to the harsh setting of naval life, full of strict rules and moral uncertainty, which tests Frank’s pride and shapes his pursuit of adventure, while also showing his youthful mistakes.