The Good: As usual, Flashy is amusing and pokes fun the pompous, self-important, and self-righteous. Always good for a bit of harsh criticism of the EThe Good: As usual, Flashy is amusing and pokes fun the pompous, self-important, and self-righteous. Always good for a bit of harsh criticism of the Empire, English society, 19th Century morality, and generally anything or anyone who crosses his path, while being brutally honest about being a total bastard, bounder, cad and general coward. The unlikable narrator whose narration is surprisingly interesting and pertinent.
Also, like some of the other books, a glimpse into certain lesser known events in history (at least to me). In this case, Singapore and Indonesia get a spotlight shone upon them, and we meet some interesting historical characters I had never heard of. Likewise we visit Madagascar, and the events which take place there seem more akin to something out of Edgar Rice Burroughs novel than a far more factually grounded Flashman tale, which just makes it all the more fascinating.
The Bad: There is a significant chunk of the book which involves a very long and tedious set up before anything of any real interest happens and there is entirely too much about cricket. As I find it one of the least interesting sports on the planet, waxing lyrical about rules changes and apparently noteworthy cricketers of the day was particularly tedious.
Also, not quite as bad as some of the papers, the main meat of the book (cutting out the third which relates to cricket) is split over two separate locations and situations. While they are closely linked in time, and the one follows directly on from the other and there is a clear reason why these two tales are presented together, I did feel that they were really two separate things. The historical and cultural insight and are one of the best things about these books, and while that was present here, they were really two very different focuses.
The Ugly: Anyone who has ever read a Flashman book before knows they are filled with racism, sexism, and all sorts of language and views which are not all acceptable today. Also, it is well know that this is done by the author with a sense of irony to depict partially what an unpleasant fellow Flashman really is, but also actually as a much more barbed and damning portrayal of the attitudes of the day and this gives us the pleasant feeling that we have really come a long way, while still having a window into the past. However, I felt that this book was particularly triggering, more so than any of the others I have read so far, and despite knowing what I was in for, I still frequently found my eyebrows being raised at some turn of phrase or feeling uncomfortable at the way certain language is thrown about. This is all to Fraser's credit - it is good to be reminded of unpleasant things from time to time to help us aim to be better people. I am not sure if this book really was any worse than any others I have read, or if it is just that it has been a few years since I read the last one and times have moved on again, and in particular our social standards have changed again.
This, combined with the cricket made the whole thing a bit of a slow read, but eventually, once things got going it became a lot more enjoyable. I would be very careful who I recommended this too, but that's not untrue about any other Flashman book and I suspect there are others out there which deal with even darker things......more
I vaguely recall as a child I liked this one the least... Not enough action, and too much... well, wandering.
As an adult, I think it is the strongest I vaguely recall as a child I liked this one the least... Not enough action, and too much... well, wandering.
As an adult, I think it is the strongest of the series - at least so far. I have yet to re-read the final part, and have only the vaguest memory of it. While there is less of the exciting adventures that cropped up in previous books, and a large absence of the Princess, there is a much deeper exploration of the character of Taran and it is clear he is growing and has grown and in this book he comes into his own. Very much in the style of the heroes journey, he wanders and returns reborn and wiser for his wanderings....more
A bit of a mixed bag here. Three stories, bundled together without much to link them in time or space other than being Conan tales.
The Jewels of GwahlA bit of a mixed bag here. Three stories, bundled together without much to link them in time or space other than being Conan tales.
The Jewels of Gwahlur is an original Howard short story, and seems to be adapted well. I have not actually read the original, but it definitely feels like a classic Howard tale and Conan feels very on brand and the world feels quite real. Pretty good, though I was not a huge fan of the art. It was OK. Laid out very well, and nicely designed. Good panels and lots of good action and design... But just a little flat.
The Daughters of Midora is a shorter piece. I liked the story of this more, and the art as well. However, generally as a piece of Conan lore and how it fits in, it is probably weaker. Shorter than the titular tale, but in some ways more to think about and less of a ripping yarn.
The Mad King of Gaul is a story set in Conan's early years and to me I just did not feel it gelled well with what I know of his history, even though it was clearly trying to lay the groundwork for Conan as an older and more rounded man. I was not keen on the art really - not the worst - but not anything I actually really liked. A lot of exposition. A lot of not liking Conan. A lot of wondering how this actually fits in. Very much a miss. ...more
I may be being slightly generous giving this four stars, but it was a quick and enjoyable read with two separate stories, both of which managed to surI may be being slightly generous giving this four stars, but it was a quick and enjoyable read with two separate stories, both of which managed to surprise me. For that reason alone it warrants a bit of a boost.
These books are very much of their time - perhaps even more so, as the art style reminds me a lot of such things as Masters of Thunder, written the decade before in the Netherlands, and of course such things as The City of Shifting Waters, going back another decade into the 60's. There is quite a lot of nostalgia in the artwork, and the story and dynamics obviously bear some similarities to such things as Conan, so in some ways it felt older than it really is. On the other hand, coming out of continental Europe, there is a different vibe to the stories, morality, and mores to my experience with American graphic novels of the same era.
The first story had a lot more of fantastic setting to it, while the second was a very different pace and the endings could not have been any more different. One following the other was very well placed and kept the pace quick and engaging. There are some issues with the convenience of certain things in the plot, but they did not get in the way of my enjoyment - perhaps in part because I am aware of the dated nature of these stories. They have aged pretty well, but the cracks are beginning to show. However, it is very easy to enjoy to enjoy them for what they are, and as a look back at what graphic novels from 40 years ago were like. ...more
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