Pensby Library
ISBN: 0 00 617013 7
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 350p
Continuing reading the series
Rating: ***** ***
What led you to pick up this book?
Continuing reading the series
Describe the plot without giving anything away.
Richard Sharpe and the Defence of Portugal, Christmas 1812. Most Sharpe books deal with real battles and events with Sharpe slotted in as appropriate. This book is different. Cornwell invented an event though the principal opposition – a band of deserters from all the armies in the area, acting on their own simply for the loot and girls and booze that they could get, did exist. Also existing was William Congreve’s new rocket system which Sharpe, given the job of testing it, puts to good use.
What did you think of the characters?
As in all my previous Sharpe reviews – there seems little point in repeating the comments....
What did you think about the style?
As in all my previous Sharpe reviews....
What did you like most about the book?
The novelty of the use of the rockets.
Was there anything you didn't like about the book?
The ending. It’s not a happy one! Given a second chance, Cornwell himself would not have ended it the way he did.
Thoughts on the book jacket / cover.
I do like the set of covers that have old paintings on them. Much better than the modern ones.
Would I recommend it?
Essential reading if you are working your way through the series. Some could be missed without affecting the general feel for Sharpe’s progress but not this one.
BERNARD CORNWELL – see ‘Sharpe’s Havoc’
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