Sharpe's Escape

There's no question that Bernard Cornwell's ever-growing magnum opus consists of his books featuring the doughty soldier Richard Shape, of which Sharpe's Escape is the 20th title. All the elements that aficionados look for in Cornwell's books are firmly and satisfyingly in place. The year is 1810, and the British Army is struggling against the confident French, who are assailing Portugal once again. As British soldiers cross into Spain, they find a hunger-ridden, depleted land. In the middle of the chaos is Captain of the Light Company, Richard Sharpe, who has found a new nemesis in Ferragus, a duplicitous Portuguese man well-connected with the French invaders. However, the battle between the two men takes a more dangerous turn, when Sharpe, no longer with his regiment, takes some unorthodox routes to prosecute his personal battle. With only his ex-colleague, the reliable Sergeant Harper and a Portuguese ally, Jorge Vicente, to help confront myriad enemies, the Sharpe/Ferragus duel is fought through the ruined streets of Coimbra and on to Lisbon, as Wellington mounts a coup de grace against the French.

Bernard Cornwell fans know what to expect: vivid scene-setting and pithy historical detail (never artificially freighted in, always comfortably ensconced), exhilarating action set-pieces, and (riding above it all) the larger-than-life figure of Richard Sharpe, realised with real bravura. --Barry Forshaw

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High adventure in Portugal - Rated
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal - Rated
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape - Rated
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

Sharpe's still Triumphant - Rated
Authors sometimes find that they have painted themselves into a corner by writing about a specific character over a given period. Throughout the 1980s and 90s Bernard Cornwell told the chronological tales of Sharpe as he progressed through the war and through the ranks.

However, after Waterloo and the war ending what can Cornwell do? Produce a set of prequels? Check! What about integrating new stories into the Napoleonic Wars during time periods previously ignored? Bingo!

Sharpe's Escape takes us back to 1810 and tells of Sharpe's run in with a dodgy Portuguese Major and his criminal brother. As a fan of the series the characters feel like family and the story rattles along at a good pace.

I really enjoyed this title, as a fan. However, I can see it being difficult for first timers as it’s not the strongest of Sharpe novels and no new characterization is offered. I also find it slightly confusing trying to remember what year and rank Sharpe is meant to be fighting in as each new book comes out.

For fans this is a must but for first time Sharpe readers I suggest reading them in Chronological order where possible.

Not my sort of thing at all - Rated
I read this more or less by accident. I went into hospital with nothing to read, and picked this up in the hospital bookshop as the least worst thing to read. I know Cornwell has many fans, but I don't think I will become one of them. For me there was little suspense, minimal plot, and lousy uninteresting characters.