Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2

"PETER SIMPLE AND THE THREE CUTTERS, Vol. 1-2" by Frederick Marryat is a story set in the 1830s about Peter Simple, a young man from a clergyman's family who is sent to the navy because he is considered the family "fool". The book tells the story of Peter's first experiences at sea, blending humor and the harsh realities of naval service. It begins with Peter reflecting on his role and his destiny in the navy, then moves to describing his journey to London, where he meets interesting people like a rude stockbroker and a sailor who has had too much to drink. Peter has many funny misadventures, like when something goes wrong at the theater with the captain or when he tries to impress a young woman. Through these challenges and funny times, Peter grows and tries to figure out who he is and what is expected of him as he learns to be a naval officer. These early parts of the book show what kind of person Peter is and hint at the problems he will face later.