Book Hornblower is KIND of a Mary Sue who also, in his head, is Eeyore. I may have perpetuated a fandom joke about artichokes for thistles because of that.

Movie Hornblower is less unrelievedly gloomy, and also he is Ioan Gruffudd in (and out) of a snazzy uniform, and the movies are super slashy and full of things that push my hurt/comfort buttons (did I mention bulletproof kink?) so, well, I'm hooked.