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grahamjohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
For thoughts on the series, see "Sharpe's Eagle."
sobolevnrm's review against another edition
4.0
Another entertaining Sharpe book -- nothing too memorable but great for long plane rides.
tommyro's review against another edition
4.0
Another bull's eye for the always exciting, captivating, thrilling Sharpe series. Totally hooked. They never repeat, they always entertain. As someone once said, Bernard Cornwell makes you wish the Napoleonic Wars had gone on for a lot longer.
gbjt's review against another edition
3.0
Another entertaining story in the Sharpe series. I think this story creates quite a moral dilemma for the protagonist and the ending will make you pause. I would say that in the Sharpe canon this is one of the more average stories.
t_ro05624's review against another edition
4.0
Another rousing chapter in Cornwell’s Sharpe’s series. These books are incredibly consistent and move at quick speed. All action with blood, guts and gore, we continue to see Captain Richard Sharpe rise through the ranks, escape in possible odds and somehow always come through clear on the other side waiting for his next fight to begin.
Even if you’re not into the British war campaign of the 18th century, the blend of of historical detail and fast paced fiction will keep you reading on to the end.
Even if you’re not into the British war campaign of the 18th century, the blend of of historical detail and fast paced fiction will keep you reading on to the end.
jonnyrwhit's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really enjoy the Sharpe series, and I love Bernard Cornwell's books, however I found this book slightly more challenging to get through. I think it bore from a short period of reading lethargy, I was eager to finish a book, unfortunately it was this one I was wanting to finish quickly. Its got your typical Sharpe recipe, some enjoyable moments, but not my favourite Sharpe adventure.
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Another great rip roaring adventure in the Sharpe series. Always enjoyable and thrilling.
Set in the Peninsular War - Sharpe has to rescue a hoard of gold in hostile territory and of course there is a beautiful girl and his riflemen.
I also like the way Cornwell explains the historical background and sets out where he has tweaked history to suit the story.
Set in the Peninsular War - Sharpe has to rescue a hoard of gold in hostile territory and of course there is a beautiful girl and his riflemen.
I also like the way Cornwell explains the historical background and sets out where he has tweaked history to suit the story.
jamesjustjames's review against another edition
5.0
Sharpe’s Gold
By Bernard Cornwell
9.0/10
“Sharpe and Harper went forward, dark uniforms blending with the night, and Sharpe could hear every rustle of his jacket, creak of his belt, and the looming walls seemed to hold danger in every shadow. He felt himself tense with anticipation, his teeth gritted waiting for the mocking shot.”
Sharpe’s Gold was published in 1981. My copy clocks in at 303 pages.
Once again I’m blown away by Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. It has had its ups and downs but Sharpe’s Gold was certainly the strongest entry for a little while for me. As I’m reading the series chronologically this is book nine for me but in actuality when it was originally published this was only book two. I’m pleased in so many ways that I decided to read the books the way I did because the prequel books reinforce the great things about the original series. Cornwell is a fantastic storyteller but one thing he gets right time and time again is the way he writes camaraderie. Sharpe and his company are excellent time and time again, their relationship is built on trust and rapport and Cornwell’s character work always shines through. Cornwell also writes a damn good villain and Sharpe’s Gold has an excellent antagonist: El Catolico- The Catholic, a heavily Pius Spanish killer. Sharpe’s Gold is a desperate adventure taking place in 1810 during the events of the destruction of Almeida as we follow our hero as he once again follows the orders of the calculating General Wellington.
By Bernard Cornwell
9.0/10
“Sharpe and Harper went forward, dark uniforms blending with the night, and Sharpe could hear every rustle of his jacket, creak of his belt, and the looming walls seemed to hold danger in every shadow. He felt himself tense with anticipation, his teeth gritted waiting for the mocking shot.”
Sharpe’s Gold was published in 1981. My copy clocks in at 303 pages.
Once again I’m blown away by Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. It has had its ups and downs but Sharpe’s Gold was certainly the strongest entry for a little while for me. As I’m reading the series chronologically this is book nine for me but in actuality when it was originally published this was only book two. I’m pleased in so many ways that I decided to read the books the way I did because the prequel books reinforce the great things about the original series. Cornwell is a fantastic storyteller but one thing he gets right time and time again is the way he writes camaraderie. Sharpe and his company are excellent time and time again, their relationship is built on trust and rapport and Cornwell’s character work always shines through. Cornwell also writes a damn good villain and Sharpe’s Gold has an excellent antagonist: El Catolico- The Catholic, a heavily Pius Spanish killer. Sharpe’s Gold is a desperate adventure taking place in 1810 during the events of the destruction of Almeida as we follow our hero as he once again follows the orders of the calculating General Wellington.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Cornwell, Bernard. Sharpe’s Gold. 1981. Sharpe No. 9. Signet, 2004.
Sharpe got his Eagle so now (1810 he needs to rescue an “exploring officer” (i.e., intelligence officer) and retrieve a gold cache stored in the fortified town of Almeda, Portugal. Wellesley needs it for his shoestring war. You know he and Sgt. Harper are going to get it done. And you know they’re going to rake a little off the top, and deservedly so.
Sharpe got his Eagle so now (1810 he needs to rescue an “exploring officer” (i.e., intelligence officer) and retrieve a gold cache stored in the fortified town of Almeda, Portugal. Wellesley needs it for his shoestring war. You know he and Sgt. Harper are going to get it done. And you know they’re going to rake a little off the top, and deservedly so.
bent's review against another edition
1.0
I went between one and two stars for this book, but since it's already sitting at over four, I figured it could take the hit. I didn't like this book. I picked it up on impulse at the library because I thought it might be a good adventure story but it was a lot more dour and grim than I was looking for. Didn't like Sharpe or really any of the other characters in the book, and couldn't muster up a lot of interest in the British or the progress of the Napoleonic wars. I realize that most of the series is about that, but I didn't know that going in. Couldn't buy Sharpe looking at what the French had done in disgust - I don't think the British armies hands are so clean - and couldn't really care that strongly about either side.
There was no effort made to make Sharpe or his troops likeable - I realize Harper was supposed to be that character, but it didn't convince me. I also didn't buy that a wounded, exhausted Sharpe has too much honour to kill El Catolico when he's at a disadvantage and unarmed but is willing to blow up the garrison and kill 500 of his allies to get the gold out of the city. It's crap. And having Sharpe win that duel was crap too.
The only thing I really liked in this book was Cornewell's afterword, in which he first talked about the historical accuracy and then talked about his own writing career. It made me feel a little more sympathetic towards the book, but it was too late to make me enjoy it.
I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had grown up in England reading Boy's Own type of magazine and being regaled by stories about Rorke's Drift and the Charge of the Light Brigade, but I didn't and so here we are.
There was no effort made to make Sharpe or his troops likeable - I realize Harper was supposed to be that character, but it didn't convince me. I also didn't buy that a wounded, exhausted Sharpe has too much honour to kill El Catolico when he's at a disadvantage and unarmed but is willing to blow up the garrison and kill 500 of his allies to get the gold out of the city. It's crap. And having Sharpe win that duel was crap too.
The only thing I really liked in this book was Cornewell's afterword, in which he first talked about the historical accuracy and then talked about his own writing career. It made me feel a little more sympathetic towards the book, but it was too late to make me enjoy it.
I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had grown up in England reading Boy's Own type of magazine and being regaled by stories about Rorke's Drift and the Charge of the Light Brigade, but I didn't and so here we are.