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Sharpe #15
Sharpe's Enemy: Richard Sharpe and the Defense of Portugal, Christmas 1812
Only one man stands between Napoleon's army and a British defeat--Major Richard Sharpe. A band of renegades led by Sharpe's vicious mortal enemy, Obadiah Hakeswill, holds a group of British and French women hostage in a strategic mountain pass. Newly promoted, Major Sharpe is given the task of rescuing them. On the other side of the pass, Napoleon's Grande Armee seeks to smash through and crush the British army in Portugal. Sharpe has only the support of his own company and the new Rocket Troop--the last word in military incompetence--but he cannot afford to contemplate defeat. To surrender or fail would mean the end of the war for the Allied armies. Outnumbered and attacked from two sides, Sharpe must hold his ground or die in the attempt.
1 pages, MP3 CD
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
November 14, 2021
It felt good to get back in the saddle with rifleman Richard Sharpe! Sharpe's Enemy was one of author Bernard Cornwell's original books in the series. Written in the mid-80s it has all the rough and raw qualities I've come to know and love about these books!
Number fifteen balances the personal with the professional. We get plenty of fighting, Sharpe's expertise, and we get a bit of his fumbling family affairs, where he doesn't shine. Sharpe's long-standing feud with his personal nemesis comes to a head in a satisfying way. Victory and tragedy strike our tough hero and Cornwell deftly handles both.
Cornwell is great at weaving history into his fiction. Here he beats it like a blacksmith into the shape he desires. While some of the details are true to real life - there were deserters fitting the description described herein - Cornwell fudged some of the other details in order to place his main character at the center of the action. That's a-okay with me. I'm not reading these books for their historical exactitude. I just appreciate all the effort the author did make in getting the historical details correct. If you like reading fiction set during the Napoleonic Wars, you've come to the right place!
Number fifteen balances the personal with the professional. We get plenty of fighting, Sharpe's expertise, and we get a bit of his fumbling family affairs, where he doesn't shine. Sharpe's long-standing feud with his personal nemesis comes to a head in a satisfying way. Victory and tragedy strike our tough hero and Cornwell deftly handles both.
Cornwell is great at weaving history into his fiction. Here he beats it like a blacksmith into the shape he desires. While some of the details are true to real life - there were deserters fitting the description described herein - Cornwell fudged some of the other details in order to place his main character at the center of the action. That's a-okay with me. I'm not reading these books for their historical exactitude. I just appreciate all the effort the author did make in getting the historical details correct. If you like reading fiction set during the Napoleonic Wars, you've come to the right place!
March 10, 2020
‘I assume I’m expendable, sir.�
‘You’re a soldier, aren’t you? Of course you’re expendable!�
Sharpe was still smiling. He was a soldier, and a lady needed rescuing, and was that not what soldiers throughout history had done? The smile became wider. ‘Of course I’ll go, sir. With pleasure.�
This is “The Expendables� in their winter of 1812 incarnation. As Wellington’s army winters in Portugal, preparing for the spring offensive against the Napoleonic forces in Spain, a band of deserters from both sides attack a mountain village on the border, kill the local men, rape the local women and take a number of very high value hostages. Richard Sharpe, recently promoted to a temporary field rank of Major, is sent to try and recover the distressed ladies.
A soldier, the Scotsman had said, is a man who fights for people who cannot fight for themselves.
The good news is: this episode is one of the very best in the long running series. Even better: a new reader can start right here without missing much of the previous developments. With his brand new promotion, Richard Sharpe undergoes a major shift of focus in his martial career. While still promoted by the author as the perfect embodiment of the professional soldier, Sharpe goes from personal feats of skill and derring-do, ferocity and bloody-mindedness, to a backseat leadership role, more in line with his new rank, where he can prove he is more than a simple soldier promoted up from the ranks. Sharpe has the chance to convince us he is a genuine tactical, strategic genius as he plans his campaign carefully, uses the different troops allocated to him to their best abilities, reacts to new developments and improvises in the field as the conflicts unfolds, taking on forces more than ten times his effective.
While the campaign against deserters in a remote mountain pass may be viewed as a diversion in the overall scheme of the Napoleonic wars (and it’s entirely made up in the imagination of the author), for the patient reader who has followed Richard Sharpe right from the early days of his campaigning as a soldier in the Indian campaign, this is a true cornerstone of the series. An inkling of its importance in the life of its fictional hero may be deduced right from the title, a reference to Sharpe’s nemesis form that “Sharpe’s Tiger� debut story, where the young man was flogged near to death by a devious, ruthless Sergeant named Obadiah Hakeswill. The same Hakeswill is now the second in command of the army of deserters holding the high ground in the Gateway of God pass. A confrontation between the two is inevitable.
I was getting a little tired of the series and of Sharpe’s alleged perfection in the art of war. I’ve been reading them all in chronological order and becoming quite resentful of the author’s apparent celebration of mass slaughter and of the men who excel in this activity. That earlier quote about a true soldier’s role almost made me reconsider Richard Sharpe and his exploits. He is up to his old tricks in the mountains between Portugal and Spain, a poster perfect Gary Stu sort of character, but Bernard Cornwell is managing somehow to bring him down to a regular human level here. His numerous love affairs from previous episodes resurface here with both comedic and tragic implications while his past as an orphan boy on the streets of London and his rise from the ranks allow Sharpe to be a true leader, concerned with the welfare of his troops, not only with victory at all costs.
I have commented before that the thing that keeps me coming back to the series is the talent of Cornwell to mix actual historical events with clear, engaging descriptions of military action and with likable characters. His books are tightly plotted, free of unnecessary filler, action intensive and effortlessly emotional intense when they need to be. Sharpe is supported in his winter campaign by a few of these very well sketched secondary characters like the Major General Nairn who sends him on an apparent suicidal mission or Lieutenant Frederickson, an almost carbon-copy of Sharpe commanding a troop of Riflemen. Sergeant Harper is as always reliably by the side of Richard with his signature seven-barrel gun and even the despicable Obadiah puts in a memorable performance.
I deliberately left the actual details of the set battles between Richard Sharpe and the deserters or the French troops vague in order not to spoil the plot of the novel for the potential readers. But I feel I should make a mention of the new weapon that is put to unexpected and unintended use by Sharpe on top of the Gateway of God:
Congreve’s rockets looked like the fireworks that celebrated Royal days in London, except these were much bigger. Gilliland’s smallest rocket was fully eleven feet long, two feet of which was the cylinder containing the powder propulsion and tipped with with a roundshot or shell, the rest made up of the rocket’s stout stick. The largest rocket, according to Gilliland, was twenty-eight feet long, its head taller than a man, and its load more than fifty pounds of explosive.
In an afterword explaining his choice of weapon, Bernard Cornwell comes up with the kind of trivia that makes the story so exciting in retrospect: these rockets may not have been used in the Peninsular war, but they are actually mentioned in the “Star-Spangled Banner� a song that was written originally about the British siege of Fort McHenry in 1812, were the Congreve rockets were actually used.
I have high hopes of the next episode in the Sharpe epic. Considering that I’ve been reading them for at least four years, I might even take the plunge and read them faster in order to get the whole damn thing done and start on something else.
May 27, 2020
I hesitate to call this the best of the series. Probably one of the best. Certainly a climax! I defiantly feel like the GREAT Bernard Cornwell went all out in this entry. Cornwell pulls out all the stops. Sharpe's Enemy feels epic! But has some technical flaws because at the date of publication (1984) Cornwell is still honing his craft he is not the GREAT Bernard Cornwell yet, best Historical fiction writer of his generation. He is the author of the best selling Sharpe Series and riding the tides of fortune like his star character!
This is a complete Sharpe novel. Everything you expect from the series. the formula is here Sharpe, Harper, his rifleman, Teresa and the most villainous character in the entire series Obadiah Hakeswill is here. the French are here with and honorable enemy in Col. Duberton. A Pompous superior in Lord Farthingale Who is a real life person who did plagiarizer his book. Josefina LaCosta returns to cause some trouble in Sharpe's marriage I never liked her anyway. A new ally in captain Fredrickson is introduced who is a soldier's soldier like Sharpe. Also a villain Pierre Ducos who seem to be the new primary villain of the series. As in all the Sharpe books the Characters are all well written with solid motives and good dialogue.
The moment at the beginning of the book when Sharpe is promoted to Major filled me with so much pride as someone who has been with him since he was a private in India! the story starts out with a horrible act perpetrated by Hakeswill and his army of deserters. At a Spanish holy town known as the gateway of God. Which Sharpe is appointed to avenge. Sharpe's chivalrous side is shown again as part of the mission is to save three French officer wives and a English lord's lady. He commands a battlefield in the end and although this took the story away from the south Essex's riflemen and Harper, it was fun to see him in control of the whole battle. The events depicted are almost all fictitious which is a draw back for me. The ending is devastating. no spoilers from me. Not sure where the narrative will go from here Sharpe's Enemy seems to culminate many storylines in the series but the war will go on so the series will go on not sure it will be as great as before Sharpe's Enemy!
This is a complete Sharpe novel. Everything you expect from the series. the formula is here Sharpe, Harper, his rifleman, Teresa and the most villainous character in the entire series Obadiah Hakeswill is here. the French are here with and honorable enemy in Col. Duberton. A Pompous superior in Lord Farthingale Who is a real life person who did plagiarizer his book. Josefina LaCosta returns to cause some trouble in Sharpe's marriage I never liked her anyway. A new ally in captain Fredrickson is introduced who is a soldier's soldier like Sharpe. Also a villain Pierre Ducos who seem to be the new primary villain of the series. As in all the Sharpe books the Characters are all well written with solid motives and good dialogue.
The moment at the beginning of the book when Sharpe is promoted to Major filled me with so much pride as someone who has been with him since he was a private in India! the story starts out with a horrible act perpetrated by Hakeswill and his army of deserters. At a Spanish holy town known as the gateway of God. Which Sharpe is appointed to avenge. Sharpe's chivalrous side is shown again as part of the mission is to save three French officer wives and a English lord's lady. He commands a battlefield in the end and although this took the story away from the south Essex's riflemen and Harper, it was fun to see him in control of the whole battle. The events depicted are almost all fictitious which is a draw back for me. The ending is devastating. no spoilers from me. Not sure where the narrative will go from here Sharpe's Enemy seems to culminate many storylines in the series but the war will go on so the series will go on not sure it will be as great as before Sharpe's Enemy!
April 29, 2019
Number 15 in The Sharpe’s Series.
This is a bit of a departure from the previous Sharpe books inasmuch as this is the pure fiction. Normally serves up a goodly amount of real history in the Sharpe books but not here. Sharpe is still fighting the good fight in Portugal and Spain but this particular battle never took place. Not that it makes a scrap of difference to me; it’s still a bloody good yarn.
The good news is now Sharpe has been promoted to Major and as a Major he plays a much bigger part in shaping the coming battle.
Sharpe’s arch nemesis ‘Obadiah Hakeswell� once again is front and centre for this yarn. Obadiah now calling himself ‘Coronel Hakeswell� is a deserter in an army of deserters. Of course everywhere this rabble goes murder, rape and pillage follows. But this time they have gone too far, they have captured two ladies, the wives of high ranking British and French officers and holding them hostage.
It’s time to teach this rabble a lesson and who better to instruct them than Richard Sharpe.
Along the way a battle of much more importance is looming and this battle will give Sharpe the opportunity to show his true value to the war effort against the armies of France.
continues to put the reader right in heart of the battle with all the elation, all the adrenaline and all the gore.
Another highly entertaining read. 4/5 stars.
This is a bit of a departure from the previous Sharpe books inasmuch as this is the pure fiction. Normally serves up a goodly amount of real history in the Sharpe books but not here. Sharpe is still fighting the good fight in Portugal and Spain but this particular battle never took place. Not that it makes a scrap of difference to me; it’s still a bloody good yarn.
The good news is now Sharpe has been promoted to Major and as a Major he plays a much bigger part in shaping the coming battle.
Sharpe’s arch nemesis ‘Obadiah Hakeswell� once again is front and centre for this yarn. Obadiah now calling himself ‘Coronel Hakeswell� is a deserter in an army of deserters. Of course everywhere this rabble goes murder, rape and pillage follows. But this time they have gone too far, they have captured two ladies, the wives of high ranking British and French officers and holding them hostage.
It’s time to teach this rabble a lesson and who better to instruct them than Richard Sharpe.
Along the way a battle of much more importance is looming and this battle will give Sharpe the opportunity to show his true value to the war effort against the armies of France.
continues to put the reader right in heart of the battle with all the elation, all the adrenaline and all the gore.
Another highly entertaining read. 4/5 stars.
February 9, 2023
This series is set in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars. Romance as well as warfare. Sharpe is a great heroic protagonist.
December 30, 2021
I enjoyed this ceries. It never seemed to grow old with all the new battles. Richard Sharp is a bit of a rogue of a soldier, but he tends to get it done.
He loves to make enamies and lovers along the way.
I recommend this ceries to all.
He loves to make enamies and lovers along the way.
I recommend this ceries to all.
January 6, 2009
This is perhaps the best of the Sharpe series, and I've read 14 of the 20 I know about. The only volume close to it is "Trafalgar".
Sharpe is most human in this story. He is, as usual, bedeviled by an arrogant aristocrat, Col. Lord Farthingdale, who knows nothing of fighting but is intent on imposing his will on Sharpe.
The true evil villain, Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill, shows up again in the company of a group of deserters led by the infamous Pot Au Feu, a French deserter. The band have invested a Spanish town, killed most of the men and raped most of the women. Sharpe is sent to ransom Lord Farthingdale's wife who was also captured. In the process he meets up with Col. Dubreton of the French army who is ransoming three kidnapped wives of French officers. They form a bond of mutual respect but later must face each other in battle.
Sharpe's ability to out-think and out-strategize, not only the enemy, but also incompetent British leaders, is a major theme in the story. The battle scenes, as is always true in this series, are incredibly graphic and compelling.
The outcome, while vindicating Sharpe's tactics leaves him heartbroken. I really hated to see this one end.
Sharpe is most human in this story. He is, as usual, bedeviled by an arrogant aristocrat, Col. Lord Farthingdale, who knows nothing of fighting but is intent on imposing his will on Sharpe.
The true evil villain, Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill, shows up again in the company of a group of deserters led by the infamous Pot Au Feu, a French deserter. The band have invested a Spanish town, killed most of the men and raped most of the women. Sharpe is sent to ransom Lord Farthingdale's wife who was also captured. In the process he meets up with Col. Dubreton of the French army who is ransoming three kidnapped wives of French officers. They form a bond of mutual respect but later must face each other in battle.
Sharpe's ability to out-think and out-strategize, not only the enemy, but also incompetent British leaders, is a major theme in the story. The battle scenes, as is always true in this series, are incredibly graphic and compelling.
The outcome, while vindicating Sharpe's tactics leaves him heartbroken. I really hated to see this one end.
August 17, 2023
При всяка една война, неизменно има много дезертьори. Една част от тях са доволни да се скат��ят някъде на топло и да чакат бурята да ги подмине. Но на много анархията е влезла в ума и сърцата и формирайки банди, дори малки армии, те тормозят цивилното население и продоволствените отряди на редовните войски. Често извършват неописуеми зверства, защото знаят, че така или иначе пощада няма да има, ако бъдат заловени.
С такава банда, безчинстваща в Испания трябва да се справи майор Шарп точно по Коледа.
Нападнали и унщожили село в хълмовете, те държат в плен съпругите на един британски и на трима френски офицери.
Следва история за смелост, коварство и на пръв поглед обречена битка, но Шарп няма избор. Защото съдбата му готви среща с неговия архивраг и само един от тях може да напусне бойното поле като победител!
Много ми хареса, до среднощ я четох! :)
С такава банда, безчинстваща в Испания трябва да се справи майор Шарп точно по Коледа.
Нападнали и унщожили село в хълмовете, те държат в плен съпругите на един британски и на трима френски офицери.
Следва история за смелост, коварство и на пръв поглед обречена битка, но Шарп няма избор. Защото съдбата му готви среща с неговия архивраг и само един от тях може да напусне бойното поле като победител!
Много ми хареса, до среднощ я четох! :)
October 7, 2014
For my money, this is the best outing for Cornwell's titular hero. Mid-way through the Peninsular War British officer Richard Sharpe draws his sword for a showdown with arch-enemy Obadia Hakeswill before marshalling his meagre forces, including some new fangled rockets, to stave off a French offensive. Historical fact and fiction mixed to great effect with Cornwall's customary aplomb.
October 5, 2022
Sharpe #15. Another re-read. The events take place around Christmas 1812, more or less around the border between Spain and Portugal.
A gang of deserters has swelled to epic proportions and is ravaging the poor people throughout the countryside. Led by a former French military chef, and yes, I meant chef 😉, the deserters' army consists of English, French, Portuguese, Spanish...basically representative members from most every military group involved in the Peninsular War. Oh, and the loathsome ex-Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. What an evil character!!!
This army of ruffians is holding several prominent hostages, but primarily Lady Farthingdale and the French Col. Dubreton's wife. Sharpe and his Riflemen are sent to retrieve the hostages and put down the rebellion. The task is given specifically to the Riflemen because (a) Major Sharpe is a force to reckon with, and (b) the Riflemen wear green uniforms. The deserters' army is made up of many different men and uniforms, but none of the uniforms is that color. So the spectacularly practical reason to send the green-jacketed Riflemen is that anyone not in green is an enemy and can be fired upon.
This book is one of my favorites from the entire series. There were so many excellent characters and sections to it! I will leave out most of them so that I'm not spoiler-ish. Without giving away any outcomes, I can say that the confrontational scenes between Sharpe and Hakeswill were both really memorable and truly outstanding!
A gang of deserters has swelled to epic proportions and is ravaging the poor people throughout the countryside. Led by a former French military chef, and yes, I meant chef 😉, the deserters' army consists of English, French, Portuguese, Spanish...basically representative members from most every military group involved in the Peninsular War. Oh, and the loathsome ex-Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. What an evil character!!!
This army of ruffians is holding several prominent hostages, but primarily Lady Farthingdale and the French Col. Dubreton's wife. Sharpe and his Riflemen are sent to retrieve the hostages and put down the rebellion. The task is given specifically to the Riflemen because (a) Major Sharpe is a force to reckon with, and (b) the Riflemen wear green uniforms. The deserters' army is made up of many different men and uniforms, but none of the uniforms is that color. So the spectacularly practical reason to send the green-jacketed Riflemen is that anyone not in green is an enemy and can be fired upon.
This book is one of my favorites from the entire series. There were so many excellent characters and sections to it! I will leave out most of them so that I'm not spoiler-ish. Without giving away any outcomes, I can say that the confrontational scenes between Sharpe and Hakeswill were both really memorable and truly outstanding!
July 20, 2012
This is, in my mind, the most touching and enjoyable of the Sharpe series to this point. Fantastic.
January 18, 2023
Another solid Sharpe book that kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat through much of the book after a bit of a rocky start. There's a classic British incompetent officer giving Sharpe trouble, the usual villain nastiness, but also a welcome good and honorable French officer who interacts with Sharpe to solve a mutual problem in a very satisfying way. Even though this battle was entirely fictionalized, or maybe because of that, Cornwell was able to ratchet up the tension/suspense and action in a way he sometimes hasn't with some of the less exciting real battles from the Spain/Portugal campaign. He set up a few very satisfying turning points in the battle that surprised the French (and the reader), and that made the long battle sequence quite fun to read. The ending also delivered some fairly powerful and important series-long moments.
April 11, 2019
I've never done a review for a book in the Sharpe series because I never felt there was a need. They are all excellent works of historical fiction and can be read in any order. However, this book really stands out. Important characters are introduced, other ones at killed off, and Sharpe's life changes forever. A very exciting, but dreary installment. I loved the descriptions of the winter and how it seemed to reflect the underlying emotions and thoughts of the characters.
"The first flake of snow fell as Sharpe walked away. It fell soft as love, seemed to hesitate, then settled on the bugler's forehead. It melted, turning red, and disappeared."
"The first flake of snow fell as Sharpe walked away. It fell soft as love, seemed to hesitate, then settled on the bugler's forehead. It melted, turning red, and disappeared."
October 29, 2013
I've always preferred the mostly-fictional Sharpe novels. When Cornwell fits plot around historical events and has Sharpe casually winning some of the most famous battles in history on his own, it can sometimes feel forced and contrived. This is one of my three favourite Sharpe novels along with Siege and Regiment, because it's atmospheric, moody and chronicles a bitter, sordid private war. When Sharpe is allowed to escape history, he truly can be one nasty fucker!
June 21, 2013
Well I feel so guilty! I love this book, but then I read the afterword by Bernard Cornwell and he says it's even more made up than the usual Sharpe novel (you know where he steals a remarkable performance by a heroic soldier of the napoleonic time and gives it to Sharpe to take care of, pet, love and call it George?) in that neither the battle nor the place nor even the date is real, he just needed some fun over Christmas to set the British back a bit before they start their steamroller campaign through Spain and France and to the End of Napoleon Bonaparte. I can't help but feel so disappointed that the story that probably tickled my fancies the most until now was a complete hoax and has not even rudimentary semblance to some real adventures in those proud times... *sigh* Cornwell has tricked me for sure! :D
Okay to the novel itself... as often i'm also one of those pesky fans of the television adaption that some time later start finding enjoyment in the literary original that birthed the ideas behind the tv adventures. So it's sometimes hard to disconnect your inner self from the pictures and plots the actors and directors brought into the skeleton frame that's left from the novel you now read. Luckily Sharpe's Enemy is a prime example of where the book might be better than the television episode... but the episode still is great fun and has captured much of the spirit of the book. As here showcased with the personalities of Sir Augustus, Obadiah Hakeswill, Captain "Sweet William" Frederickson, the gallant Colonel Dubreton, Josefine and of course the acerbic Major Ducos.
While the fighting on screen goes a bit different (and much less epic) than in the novel, the acting characters are dead on right and as i've always liked the crazy Captain Frederickson that was a great help to find into the read of this book. He's just as amazing when written about his battered looks and eccentric habits on the field of battle. (Not to leave out his frustration when nobody wants to fight him and his company :D) and the other main participants still evoke the same feelings of sympathy, loathing, joy or disbelief as they did in their cropped back secondary onscreen personalities and in addition the talent and luck of Major Richard Sharpe has far more space to develop, show up and shine in its full glory here than in the short time of the movie version. The French never had a chance and they were whacked hard, whacked repeatedly and whacked in style by a nominally completelly outmanned, outgunned and outwitted Major of the Rifles and his sleeve full of dirty fighting tricks.
So: sent on a seemingly idiot proof mission to free some hostages out of the hands of vile deserters, murderers, rapists, plunderers and arsonists Sharpe not only overwhelms the undisciplined scum holding that convent as their own little private fortress but then also manages to discover and courageously prevent a french attempt to breach the English lines in Portugal, wreak havoc behind the lines and so to divert English attention from an even bigger attack trying to conquer back much of the land lost over the last few months of Wellington's successful campaigning. So he has to hold fast in the eye of the needle he has just taken from the deserter army and can't let the French pass or smash his small garrison. At any cost.
A thrilling struggle between the over 8000 french and about 500 english troops ensues that kept me in suspense for well over a hundred pages. And to top it off Cromwell ends on a tragic note when he after the fight was over and strong english forces came to back up the small band of Riflemen, Fusiliers and Rocket Troop Artillerists the fleeing deserter Hakeswill gains a lucky short and kills Sharpe's wife Teresa... the following agony is perhaps the deepest portrayal of human emotion that was yet given to Richard Sharpe and it sets a compelling yet sad counterpoint to the intense atmosphere of the long lasting battle sequence. Four years into the creation of the Series Cromwell seems to have found his pacing, a connection to his characters and a comfortable way of describing the ranks and file that ends up bringing out ever improving novels about his gifted Rifleman Officer with the enormous ammassing of improbable feats.
So... why does it count so much for me that this is all made up and the battle i loved so much while reading was carefully plotted and laid out to exactly reach me in the way it did? I can't even say, it's most probably that it can cheat and use artistic liberties the stories based "on true eventss" could not take to a similar extent, so getting a better character protrayal and a more stringent and adrenaline-conjuring battle sequence does not feel just as good when you know it was only designed to be so damned attractive. (What do you mean the Monroe wasn't blond? :D) Now were the other books not quite as enjoyable and well received because they had to make some amends towards the real history and this could let out all registers and just turn it to eleven until it was pleasing enough? Or is it truely the growing experience and better knowledge of his subject matter Cornwell developed over six volumes and five years of writing? I can't say and i guess that is exactly the reason why it may feel great but it's kind of a hollow victory when it came out of thin air and was carefully twisted until it should feel so great. Meh, just hoping that the next books will be back to the near authentic style that flunkered, exxagerated and lied just a tad to make Dick look sharp ;) or i might lose my trust in "historic" fiction at all... and we surely can't have that, or do we?
Okay to the novel itself... as often i'm also one of those pesky fans of the television adaption that some time later start finding enjoyment in the literary original that birthed the ideas behind the tv adventures. So it's sometimes hard to disconnect your inner self from the pictures and plots the actors and directors brought into the skeleton frame that's left from the novel you now read. Luckily Sharpe's Enemy is a prime example of where the book might be better than the television episode... but the episode still is great fun and has captured much of the spirit of the book. As here showcased with the personalities of Sir Augustus, Obadiah Hakeswill, Captain "Sweet William" Frederickson, the gallant Colonel Dubreton, Josefine and of course the acerbic Major Ducos.
While the fighting on screen goes a bit different (and much less epic) than in the novel, the acting characters are dead on right and as i've always liked the crazy Captain Frederickson that was a great help to find into the read of this book. He's just as amazing when written about his battered looks and eccentric habits on the field of battle. (Not to leave out his frustration when nobody wants to fight him and his company :D) and the other main participants still evoke the same feelings of sympathy, loathing, joy or disbelief as they did in their cropped back secondary onscreen personalities and in addition the talent and luck of Major Richard Sharpe has far more space to develop, show up and shine in its full glory here than in the short time of the movie version. The French never had a chance and they were whacked hard, whacked repeatedly and whacked in style by a nominally completelly outmanned, outgunned and outwitted Major of the Rifles and his sleeve full of dirty fighting tricks.
So: sent on a seemingly idiot proof mission to free some hostages out of the hands of vile deserters, murderers, rapists, plunderers and arsonists Sharpe not only overwhelms the undisciplined scum holding that convent as their own little private fortress but then also manages to discover and courageously prevent a french attempt to breach the English lines in Portugal, wreak havoc behind the lines and so to divert English attention from an even bigger attack trying to conquer back much of the land lost over the last few months of Wellington's successful campaigning. So he has to hold fast in the eye of the needle he has just taken from the deserter army and can't let the French pass or smash his small garrison. At any cost.
A thrilling struggle between the over 8000 french and about 500 english troops ensues that kept me in suspense for well over a hundred pages. And to top it off Cromwell ends on a tragic note when he after the fight was over and strong english forces came to back up the small band of Riflemen, Fusiliers and Rocket Troop Artillerists the fleeing deserter Hakeswill gains a lucky short and kills Sharpe's wife Teresa... the following agony is perhaps the deepest portrayal of human emotion that was yet given to Richard Sharpe and it sets a compelling yet sad counterpoint to the intense atmosphere of the long lasting battle sequence. Four years into the creation of the Series Cromwell seems to have found his pacing, a connection to his characters and a comfortable way of describing the ranks and file that ends up bringing out ever improving novels about his gifted Rifleman Officer with the enormous ammassing of improbable feats.
So... why does it count so much for me that this is all made up and the battle i loved so much while reading was carefully plotted and laid out to exactly reach me in the way it did? I can't even say, it's most probably that it can cheat and use artistic liberties the stories based "on true eventss" could not take to a similar extent, so getting a better character protrayal and a more stringent and adrenaline-conjuring battle sequence does not feel just as good when you know it was only designed to be so damned attractive. (What do you mean the Monroe wasn't blond? :D) Now were the other books not quite as enjoyable and well received because they had to make some amends towards the real history and this could let out all registers and just turn it to eleven until it was pleasing enough? Or is it truely the growing experience and better knowledge of his subject matter Cornwell developed over six volumes and five years of writing? I can't say and i guess that is exactly the reason why it may feel great but it's kind of a hollow victory when it came out of thin air and was carefully twisted until it should feel so great. Meh, just hoping that the next books will be back to the near authentic style that flunkered, exxagerated and lied just a tad to make Dick look sharp ;) or i might lose my trust in "historic" fiction at all... and we surely can't have that, or do we?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2020
Two years ago, I read the first 14 Sharpe's books, going in chronological order, during the winter. As it got colder this year, I had a sudden desire to go to war with Sharpe again. This was the perfect book to continue with. It was so fun, so sad, and the battle was epic! Sharpe and Harper forever.
I did come to the realization that I continue to be invested in the boots on the ground perspective of war as apposed to the political driving force behind the war.
And, that, though Sharpe can be ruthless and merciless, it is nice to read about men who are men. We seem to lack them today.
I did come to the realization that I continue to be invested in the boots on the ground perspective of war as apposed to the political driving force behind the war.
And, that, though Sharpe can be ruthless and merciless, it is nice to read about men who are men. We seem to lack them today.
October 17, 2020
Quite possibly the best book in the series (and I know I've said that about at least one other, before). I really couldn't put this one down; it had everything, even hilariously inaccurate rockets. I'm taking a break from these books, for a short while, as Sharpe's journey takes him away from The Peninsula War, but I feel he'll be back and I'll enjoy it just as much when he does return.
November 26, 2017
Sharpe's Enemy is the best book yet in the Sharpe series, and considering there have been some excellent earlier stories that's high praise. Taking place over Christmas of 1812, there are so many memorable elements of this book that it really stands out in the series. **Minor plot spoilers sprinkled throughout, but nothing that will ruin the ending**
For starters Sharpe receives a major promotion early in this book to the rank of Major. The role allows him to command his first full scale battle against a battalion by the end the book, and also have his own Captains that work under him. This also expands the cast in a major way with a few officers that I expect will be recurring, most memorably Sweet William the one eyed Captain who takes out his teeth and removes his eye patch before battle. The other major addition is a rocket troop. Part of Sharpe's responsibilities include the task of testing the rockets and seeing if they are fit for use in battle. The use of the rockets provide two of the most memorable scenes in the book.
The Enemy in the title of the book refers to a certain evildoer from earlier novels, but what makes this installment of the series stand out even more is the presence of numerous individuals that could be called Sharpe's enemy. Sharpe is tasked with rescuing hostages from a ragtag group of soldiers deserted from French, Spanish, English and Portugese armies. Along the way Sharpe is forced into confrontations of various levels against a superior officer (Lord Farthingdale), a French commander (Colonel Dubreton), a French intelligence officer (Ducos), and of course the evil individual from Sharpe's past. Although most of the confrontation is with that last individual, my favorite parts of this book all involved Colonel Dubreton. Unlike most villains in the series, Dubreton is a respectable French officer who admires Sharpe and seeks to best him on a battlefield under the rules of conduct. I am hopeful he reappears in later installments.
Sharpe's love life also is front in center in Sharpe's Enemy, as both his wife Teresa as well as former lover josephina are present. In addition to the major promotion, growth in the cast of the book and interesting plot, Sharpe's Enemy also features the death of two major characters in very dramatic fashion that will certainly have repercussions on Sharpe in the future. For as much as I enjoyed this book however, I would probably not recommend it as a good starting point in the series as part of what made it work so well was how it took storylines from earlier books and concluded them in a satisfying manner.
As with most Sharpe novels there is an historical note at the end of the book that discusses the accuracy of the events described. As usual this was one of the best parts of the book as it told of an actual group of deserters let by a former French army cook. The reveal for what actually happened to that group in real life was a funny moment of creative liberty taken by Cornwell.
For starters Sharpe receives a major promotion early in this book to the rank of Major. The role allows him to command his first full scale battle against a battalion by the end the book, and also have his own Captains that work under him. This also expands the cast in a major way with a few officers that I expect will be recurring, most memorably Sweet William the one eyed Captain who takes out his teeth and removes his eye patch before battle. The other major addition is a rocket troop. Part of Sharpe's responsibilities include the task of testing the rockets and seeing if they are fit for use in battle. The use of the rockets provide two of the most memorable scenes in the book.
The Enemy in the title of the book refers to a certain evildoer from earlier novels, but what makes this installment of the series stand out even more is the presence of numerous individuals that could be called Sharpe's enemy. Sharpe is tasked with rescuing hostages from a ragtag group of soldiers deserted from French, Spanish, English and Portugese armies. Along the way Sharpe is forced into confrontations of various levels against a superior officer (Lord Farthingdale), a French commander (Colonel Dubreton), a French intelligence officer (Ducos), and of course the evil individual from Sharpe's past. Although most of the confrontation is with that last individual, my favorite parts of this book all involved Colonel Dubreton. Unlike most villains in the series, Dubreton is a respectable French officer who admires Sharpe and seeks to best him on a battlefield under the rules of conduct. I am hopeful he reappears in later installments.
Sharpe's love life also is front in center in Sharpe's Enemy, as both his wife Teresa as well as former lover josephina are present. In addition to the major promotion, growth in the cast of the book and interesting plot, Sharpe's Enemy also features the death of two major characters in very dramatic fashion that will certainly have repercussions on Sharpe in the future. For as much as I enjoyed this book however, I would probably not recommend it as a good starting point in the series as part of what made it work so well was how it took storylines from earlier books and concluded them in a satisfying manner.
As with most Sharpe novels there is an historical note at the end of the book that discusses the accuracy of the events described. As usual this was one of the best parts of the book as it told of an actual group of deserters let by a former French army cook. The reveal for what actually happened to that group in real life was a funny moment of creative liberty taken by Cornwell.
July 25, 2016
Firstly, I love the TV show. Seen it multiple times, even marathon-ed it with a friend one weekend at Uni. For me, Sharpe will always be Sean Bean. Despite the different description in the book, Sean Bean has become the default image of the character in my mind. This being said, I honestly have no suitable answer as to why it has taken me so long to read a Sharpe novel. And I know I've begun out of order, but for whatever reason Sharpe's Enemy was the Sharpe novel I chose to start with.
To say I liked the novel would be a bit of an understatement. I really enjoyed it, more so than the episode even, I found it to be a really fun read. Also, I love Teresa, I think that perhaps she is my favourite character in the book. I'd always liked her in the show and thought that it was a shame we didn't see more of her, but book Teresa is even better. I liked that we get more of her in the books, more of her personality, her relationship with Sharpe, her motivations and backstory, it's the 'more' that I wanted in the TV show and that I wish they'd been able to include.
I felt the book didn't bog you down in the facts and details of the period. It was accessible enough to me that I could follow the story without having much knowledge of the Napoleonic era but it never felt like I was being overwhelmed with information. This might not seem that important considering that the events of Sharpe's Enemy are largely fictitious (albeit based on fact) but it helps that the period is described in such a way that troop movements, battle preparations and battlefield terrain don't leave me scratching my head in bewilderment with no idea what the purpose is or why I should care about it. Despite knowing that the events described didn't really happen, they nevertheless seem plausible, that such a battle at such a place like the 'Gateway of God' could have taken place and could have been a part of history. It's this attention to detail that pulls you into the story and keeps you there.
I liked that the personal war between Sharpe and Hakeswill spans the entire length of the novel. While not as epic as the battle at the Gateway of God it felt more intimate and was perhaps more emotionally powerful for it, especially at the end.
While I'm looking forward to reading more Sharpe novels (and more Cornwell in general) I feel that it might be difficult to find one that I will enjoy more than I did this one.
To say I liked the novel would be a bit of an understatement. I really enjoyed it, more so than the episode even, I found it to be a really fun read. Also, I love Teresa, I think that perhaps she is my favourite character in the book. I'd always liked her in the show and thought that it was a shame we didn't see more of her, but book Teresa is even better. I liked that we get more of her in the books, more of her personality, her relationship with Sharpe, her motivations and backstory, it's the 'more' that I wanted in the TV show and that I wish they'd been able to include.
I felt the book didn't bog you down in the facts and details of the period. It was accessible enough to me that I could follow the story without having much knowledge of the Napoleonic era but it never felt like I was being overwhelmed with information. This might not seem that important considering that the events of Sharpe's Enemy are largely fictitious (albeit based on fact) but it helps that the period is described in such a way that troop movements, battle preparations and battlefield terrain don't leave me scratching my head in bewilderment with no idea what the purpose is or why I should care about it. Despite knowing that the events described didn't really happen, they nevertheless seem plausible, that such a battle at such a place like the 'Gateway of God' could have taken place and could have been a part of history. It's this attention to detail that pulls you into the story and keeps you there.
I liked that the personal war between Sharpe and Hakeswill spans the entire length of the novel. While not as epic as the battle at the Gateway of God it felt more intimate and was perhaps more emotionally powerful for it, especially at the end.
While I'm looking forward to reading more Sharpe novels (and more Cornwell in general) I feel that it might be difficult to find one that I will enjoy more than I did this one.
November 5, 2017
(Currently) chronologically the 15th entry in 's long-running Sharpe series, this was the 4th published novel in that series, and sees Richard Sharpe - not long after his wound from Salamanca - charged with rescuing hostages on the Portugal/Spain border over the Christmas of 1812.
Thi sis one of the few books in the series in which the action is entirely fictional, giving Corwell plenty of scope to come up with a satisfying and intriguing plot that is not beholden to history, although it does nod towards said history.
This also benefits from the inclusion of Sharpe's nemesis, (ex)Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, who was last seen deserting from the British army during the events of .
While my copy of the novel came out around the time of the 90's TV series - hence the pic of Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley on the cover - more recent versions have replaced this cover with a picture hinting at one of the key elements of the plot within. In this case, that picture is of a the 'new-fangled' rocket troops, that do indeed play a key part of the novel - I'm not going to give anything anyway by saying just what part they play!
Well worth a read.
Thi sis one of the few books in the series in which the action is entirely fictional, giving Corwell plenty of scope to come up with a satisfying and intriguing plot that is not beholden to history, although it does nod towards said history.
This also benefits from the inclusion of Sharpe's nemesis, (ex)Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, who was last seen deserting from the British army during the events of .
While my copy of the novel came out around the time of the 90's TV series - hence the pic of Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley on the cover - more recent versions have replaced this cover with a picture hinting at one of the key elements of the plot within. In this case, that picture is of a the 'new-fangled' rocket troops, that do indeed play a key part of the novel - I'm not going to give anything anyway by saying just what part they play!
Well worth a read.
June 18, 2016
Sharpe outdoes himself. Promoted to Brevet Major, Sharpe almost single handedly takes over a battalion, saves a great number of hostages from a strong deserter band, and despite a higher officer's desire to abandon the location,Sharpe stays and holds off the French long enough for reinforcements to arrive. His wife Teresa is killed by Hakeswill who in turn is killed by shooting squad with Sharpe delivering the coup de'tdad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 9, 2017This episode in the series of stories featuring Richard Sharpe was an exciting read from beginning to end. The fan of Richard Sharpe will recognize several characters from other stories in the series. This story was cleverly woven together in such a way that the reader was treated to some surprising twists that upon further reflection you would say that you almost expected it to happen. That makes this work especially enjoyable. This one of the best Sharpe books that I have read!
August 5, 2016
I always enjoy the sharpe novels but i feel this one desevered 5 stars as it was complete fiction. Aside from a few characters, all the events in this are entirly works of fiction with no bases on historical events. And so I deffinatly feel it deserved 5 stars for that alone. Want more, afraid you'll have to buy and read :)
October 2, 2019
It's Sharpe. It's derring-do. It's heroic and down-to-earth.
A bunch of deserters have taken a Spanish town and seized some hostages. In the process of trying to ransom them Sharpe discovers an old enemy... and the story just develops from there until Sharpe has to defend Portugal from the evil plans of the French.
It really is that simple yet it is so entertaining and fun to read...
A bunch of deserters have taken a Spanish town and seized some hostages. In the process of trying to ransom them Sharpe discovers an old enemy... and the story just develops from there until Sharpe has to defend Portugal from the evil plans of the French.
It really is that simple yet it is so entertaining and fun to read...
January 27, 2015
Major Sharpe, is sent to pay the ransom of a British lord's wife after she was captured by an army of deserters, led by an old enemy. Major Sharpe finds himself a new enemy in the french spymaster Major Pierre Ducos.
August 29, 2018
Maybe the best Sharpe? Fantastic enemies on both sides, a tense battle, some innovative tactics and wonderful action scenes, and Sharpe at his belligerent vulnerable wistful best. Read it before many times and this isn't the last.
Read
September 14, 2009Sharpe defending a pass into Portugal, and meets his nemesis Obadiah Hakeswill. Hakeswill is one of the more vivid villians out there.
April 11, 2014
Sharpe comes to the rescue of some damsels in distress and comes across an old enemy, there's also a promotion and a new weapon.
March 12, 2012
First read: 19 Mar 2009. Love the battle, tactics, camaraderie, and the history.
Fifteenth in the Richard Sharpe fictional military series featuring the now Major Richard Sharpe fighting in the Peninsular War.
My Take
I'm thinking "the best of times, the worst of times". Yeah, Richard gets his majority and amazingly defends against a much superior force. And loses his heart. I know it's stupid to cry about a fictional character, but I can't help but think of the waste...even if it is just a story. Besides. Sharpe just doesn't do well with women�
Whoa, it's turnabout and turn again between rescuing the ladies and celebrating a lovely Christmas dinner cooked by their prisoner, Marshal Pot-au-feu, followed by some pretty tricky tactics. Listening to the French discuss how to cook the various dishes...mmmm...tasty. I must try that chestnut soup! Listening to Harry Price explain in a pidgin of French and English how to play cricket is too funny. Then there's the very learned discussion between Sweet William and the captured aide-de-camp Pierre about architecture and their preferences for tenth and eleventh century work over the more modern styles.
The Germans in the 60th decorate a hornbeam tree for Christmas; a holiday custom not yet imported to England.
It's a tale of insults, trickery, and impressive tactics with which Sharpe confounds the enemy...his own side as well. All in spite of that idiot Farthingdale. The poor, badly wounded Sir Colonel who had to monopolize the doctors to get his boo-boo bandaged while men who actually were wounded had to wait their turn. Jerk.
The Story
It's a combination of bad propaganda, the threat of a sizable enemy force, and Lady Farthingdale's kidnapping that sends Sharpe and Harper to explore the village of Adrados and deliver the ransom for her ladyship. Only, it seems they aren't the only ones delivering money.
Colonel Dubreton and Sergeant Bigeard have also arrived with the ransom demanded for their women. It seems there may be detente. It's even better when Madame Dubreton manages to pass on some clues as to where they are located in the building for, naturally, there will be no exchange of ransom for the women.
Naturally, as well, this will never hold our Richard up from doing his duty, protecting women. It's just pure luck that Richard gets there before Dubreton. And just another bit of luck when the mostly English foot soldiers are complemented by the French cavalry. A lovely bit of cooperation that manages to last through Christmas dinner.
It's also a good thing Richard had those few days with Captain Gilliland playing with Congreve's rockets. He knows precisely what to expect of them and how to use them. He's also damned lucky that Teresa is on his side.
The Characters
Major Richard Sharpe, well, okay, it's just a brevet rank, but, still, a commission from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales! He's clever, stubborn, inventive, and stubborn, oh, did I mention that Sharpe is really stubborn?? His Company consists of Sergeant Patrick Harper, an Ulsterman from Donegal who is still with Isabella; Sergeants McGovern and Huckfield; Daniel Hagman; Lieutenant Harold "Harry" Price; and, Bell.
The additional Rifles Nairn gives Sharpe includes the 60th Royal American Rifles with Captain William Fredrickson, a.k.a., Sweet William, with his eyepatch and wooden teeth; Captains Brooker and Cross; Thomas Taylor, an American marksman who wears out his bayonet from sharpening; and, the German Sergeant Rossner. A major, two captains, four lieutenants, 11 sergeants, and 165 rank-and-file to sneak in and hide.
His wife Teresa , a.k.a., La Aguja, the Needle, leads a band of partisans and has a very high price on her head and pops in and out; she has a Christmas gift of Richard for their now-18-month-old daughter Antonia. Majors Forrest and Leroy have plans for the men for Christmas.
Major Michael Hogan runs Wellington's Intelligence department and is Sharpe's friend. Father Patrick Curtis is an Irish priest, hates the English, and is Britain's chief spy now in Portugal with an important cameo role. Major General Nairn is a lovable old coot! He's certainly loved by his batman Chatsworth. Nairn is in charge while Wellington is out gadding about. Captain Gilliland has arrived in Portugal with wagonloads of rocket artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Kinney commands the relief troop accompanied by Major Ford.
General, Marquess of Wellington, Grandee of Spain, Duque de Ciudad Rodrigo, Generalissimo of all the Spanish Armies. And "Nosey" to his men; "the Peer" to his officers.
Colonel Sir Augustus and Lady Farthingdale, a.k.a., Josefina LaCosta (see ), are the start of it all. Sir Anthony is an expert on warfare. He wrote a book. Cribbed all of it from everyone else. Bought his rank. Hasn't a clue.
There's the bit where Farthingdale approves of Sharpe's defence preparations, not because they need to be prepared for an attack, but because:
We first encounter Chef du Battalion Colonel Michel Dubreton and Sergeant Bigeard when they arrive to deliver the ransom for three French women...including Madame Dubreton.
"Colonel" Obadiah Hakeswill is serving under Sergeant Deron, a.k.a., Marshal Pot-au-Feu, a renegade French cook, who heads up a sizable force of deserters from all sides. They support themselves by preying on the countryside...something like the French army does, come to think. Now they've hit the jackpot.
The horrible Major Ducos makes his appearance and has way too much information about Sharpe and the people he knows. Even his own side hates him.
The Title
The title is accurate enough for it is Sharpe's Enemy who causes the most killing blow.
Fifteenth in the Richard Sharpe fictional military series featuring the now Major Richard Sharpe fighting in the Peninsular War.
My Take
I'm thinking "the best of times, the worst of times". Yeah, Richard gets his majority and amazingly defends against a much superior force. And loses his heart. I know it's stupid to cry about a fictional character, but I can't help but think of the waste...even if it is just a story. Besides. Sharpe just doesn't do well with women�
Whoa, it's turnabout and turn again between rescuing the ladies and celebrating a lovely Christmas dinner cooked by their prisoner, Marshal Pot-au-feu, followed by some pretty tricky tactics. Listening to the French discuss how to cook the various dishes...mmmm...tasty. I must try that chestnut soup! Listening to Harry Price explain in a pidgin of French and English how to play cricket is too funny. Then there's the very learned discussion between Sweet William and the captured aide-de-camp Pierre about architecture and their preferences for tenth and eleventh century work over the more modern styles.
The Germans in the 60th decorate a hornbeam tree for Christmas; a holiday custom not yet imported to England.
It's a tale of insults, trickery, and impressive tactics with which Sharpe confounds the enemy...his own side as well. All in spite of that idiot Farthingdale. The poor, badly wounded Sir Colonel who had to monopolize the doctors to get his boo-boo bandaged while men who actually were wounded had to wait their turn. Jerk.
The Story
It's a combination of bad propaganda, the threat of a sizable enemy force, and Lady Farthingdale's kidnapping that sends Sharpe and Harper to explore the village of Adrados and deliver the ransom for her ladyship. Only, it seems they aren't the only ones delivering money.
Colonel Dubreton and Sergeant Bigeard have also arrived with the ransom demanded for their women. It seems there may be detente. It's even better when Madame Dubreton manages to pass on some clues as to where they are located in the building for, naturally, there will be no exchange of ransom for the women.
Naturally, as well, this will never hold our Richard up from doing his duty, protecting women. It's just pure luck that Richard gets there before Dubreton. And just another bit of luck when the mostly English foot soldiers are complemented by the French cavalry. A lovely bit of cooperation that manages to last through Christmas dinner.
It's also a good thing Richard had those few days with Captain Gilliland playing with Congreve's rockets. He knows precisely what to expect of them and how to use them. He's also damned lucky that Teresa is on his side.
The Characters
Major Richard Sharpe, well, okay, it's just a brevet rank, but, still, a commission from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales! He's clever, stubborn, inventive, and stubborn, oh, did I mention that Sharpe is really stubborn?? His Company consists of Sergeant Patrick Harper, an Ulsterman from Donegal who is still with Isabella; Sergeants McGovern and Huckfield; Daniel Hagman; Lieutenant Harold "Harry" Price; and, Bell.
The additional Rifles Nairn gives Sharpe includes the 60th Royal American Rifles with Captain William Fredrickson, a.k.a., Sweet William, with his eyepatch and wooden teeth; Captains Brooker and Cross; Thomas Taylor, an American marksman who wears out his bayonet from sharpening; and, the German Sergeant Rossner. A major, two captains, four lieutenants, 11 sergeants, and 165 rank-and-file to sneak in and hide.
His wife Teresa , a.k.a., La Aguja, the Needle, leads a band of partisans and has a very high price on her head and pops in and out; she has a Christmas gift of Richard for their now-18-month-old daughter Antonia. Majors Forrest and Leroy have plans for the men for Christmas.
Major Michael Hogan runs Wellington's Intelligence department and is Sharpe's friend. Father Patrick Curtis is an Irish priest, hates the English, and is Britain's chief spy now in Portugal with an important cameo role. Major General Nairn is a lovable old coot! He's certainly loved by his batman Chatsworth. Nairn is in charge while Wellington is out gadding about. Captain Gilliland has arrived in Portugal with wagonloads of rocket artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Kinney commands the relief troop accompanied by Major Ford.
General, Marquess of Wellington, Grandee of Spain, Duque de Ciudad Rodrigo, Generalissimo of all the Spanish Armies. And "Nosey" to his men; "the Peer" to his officers.
Colonel Sir Augustus and Lady Farthingdale, a.k.a., Josefina LaCosta (see ), are the start of it all. Sir Anthony is an expert on warfare. He wrote a book. Cribbed all of it from everyone else. Bought his rank. Hasn't a clue.
There's the bit where Farthingdale approves of Sharpe's defence preparations, not because they need to be prepared for an attack, but because:
Busy troops, Sharpe, are troops not liable to make mischief.
We first encounter Chef du Battalion Colonel Michel Dubreton and Sergeant Bigeard when they arrive to deliver the ransom for three French women...including Madame Dubreton.
"Colonel" Obadiah Hakeswill is serving under Sergeant Deron, a.k.a., Marshal Pot-au-Feu, a renegade French cook, who heads up a sizable force of deserters from all sides. They support themselves by preying on the countryside...something like the French army does, come to think. Now they've hit the jackpot.
The horrible Major Ducos makes his appearance and has way too much information about Sharpe and the people he knows. Even his own side hates him.
The Title
The title is accurate enough for it is Sharpe's Enemy who causes the most killing blow.
October 29, 2021
Ehh I don’t know, I wasn’t feeling this one. The opening is great and has a typically Sharpe-ish set-up with Sharpe being sent off to rescue some pretty lady on the orders of her older husband. His old enemy, Hakeswill, returns as one of the deserters who has captured the woman (she turns out to be Josefina who, I’m not gonna lie, I went...who? to. Genuinely couldn’t remember which of the nondescript awfully-written women she was). I enjoyed the rescue and the conflict with Hakeswill, and then it turned a bit...meh.
The ensuing battle just went on and on and on. Perhaps this one was one of the first books in the series (in publication order) which went into the split storyline/big battle structures. I’m not keen on that, usually. And this just felt a bit convoluted and drawn-out to me. I couldn’t visualise what was happening easily and the POV switches were quite disorienting at times.
And the end? As rushed as the rest was long. Teresa’s part in this story was really random? Turns up to insult Josefina, vanishes, and then returns to get shot by Hakeswill. We got like three pages about her death, but like multiple chapters about the food being served in the Christmas dinner party, and many many about similar battle situations. The turnaround back to the Hakeswill plot at the end was very tacked on. It just...didn’t work for me.
Not one of my faves.
The ensuing battle just went on and on and on. Perhaps this one was one of the first books in the series (in publication order) which went into the split storyline/big battle structures. I’m not keen on that, usually. And this just felt a bit convoluted and drawn-out to me. I couldn’t visualise what was happening easily and the POV switches were quite disorienting at times.
And the end? As rushed as the rest was long. Teresa’s part in this story was really random? Turns up to insult Josefina, vanishes, and then returns to get shot by Hakeswill. We got like three pages about her death, but like multiple chapters about the food being served in the Christmas dinner party, and many many about similar battle situations. The turnaround back to the Hakeswill plot at the end was very tacked on. It just...didn’t work for me.
Not one of my faves.
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