3.92 AVERAGE


If you're reading this, it's almost certainly not your first Sharpe book. So you know what you're going to get. Interesting military history through the lens of the POV of a rough-and-tumble soldier on the come-up. A bit of dry humor. Exciting battles and interesting tactical analysis. This book delivers all those things. It's not the best Sharpe book, but it's just fine and will scratch your itch for more Cornwell.

Questo settimo volume (in ordine cronologico) delle avventure di Sharpe non mi ha affatto entusiasmato.
Un po' per la ripetitività delle situazioni (qui abbiamo un mix degli ultimi due libri: la fuga di Sharpe e del suo drappello di fucilieri nella penisola iberica, soli contro tutti, come nel libro precedente; e i complotti orditi da un ufficiale britannico traditore, membro degli affari esteri, come nella storia danese. Che ci fa riflettere su come fino a ora due su tre dei membri di questo ufficio si siano rivelate mele marce. E quello leale sia comunque una vipera velenosissima, che non ha esitato a eliminare ogni prova del loro coinvolgimento a Copenaghen.

Comunque, Portogallo.
Sharpe è ancora agli ordini dell'ingegnere che lo aveva trovato alla fine del sesto libro, ma ora finisce alle dipenendenze del Colonnello Cristopher, traditore ovvio e che senza motivazione alcuna decide di infierire su Sharpe proibendogli di combattere e tenendolo per metà libro fermo in una villa assieme ai suoi uomini. Così, tanto per.
La parte successiva, gli scontri e le battaglie con l'arrivo di Wellesley sarebbero anche interessanti, ma l'assurdità delle scelte operate da questa "volpe" dei doppigiochi è sconcertante.

Così come la bestialità delle truppe francesi, mostrate francamente troppo amorali e malvage fino al midollo... cioè, per verificare se il traditore è davvero pronto a passare ai francesi questi come prova lo coinvolgono in stupri e saccheggi per vedere se ha remore o se ci si diverte?
E ovviamente lui, essendo cattivo e colto invece che leale, buono e violento come Sharpe, si scopre che è un sadico che adora far male alle donne?
Via, dai. No, libro scorrevole e ben inserito nella trama generale, ma con troppi punti deboli per quanto mi riguarda.
adventurous funny informative tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Никогда не кради у Шарпа

Война все еще складывается не в пользу Англии. До такой степени, что военные действия переместились из Испании в Португалию. Сдав очередной город французам, Шарп получает задание - сопроводить мистера Кристофера, и найти сбежавшую из дома дочь богатого английского мецената. Банальное на первый взгляд задание, сделает Шарпа участником шпионских игр.

На данный момент наверно самое слабое произведение из цикла. Хоть книга и обладает всеми обязательными составляющими “книги о Шарпе”: брутальный и харизматичный Шарп, любовная пассия на одну книгу, порохом окутанные поля сражения и антагонист, что недооценивает Шарпа - все равно как-то пресновато.

Главные разочарования. Антагонист - вроде, как и плетет интриги, пытаясь кинуть Шарпа и его людей под колеса, но в то же время легко вылетает из головы, что он вообще тут есть. Из-за слабого антагониста в последствии и сам сюжет не так сильно захватывает. А еще везучесть Шарпа тут вообще какая-то комичная - чтобы занять скучающих солдат, он дает им задание построить форт, который в итоге и становить причиной их спасения.

Финальная оценка 3,5 из 5.
adventurous informative fast-paced

 Set in the Napoleon war Sharpe and his Rifles are in Portugal, the entire British Army is trying to make it to Lisbon and the French are hot on their heels. Amidst the chaos, Sharpe is ordered to protect a shifty Colonel Christopher. Another great villain.  And, of course, another damsel in distress comes Sharpe's way. 


Sharpe has become like a trusted friend to me. When I need some comfort reading, there he is on my nightstand.  This is a bit funny, because if you have read any Cornwell, you know he writes a lot of battles and does not hold back with descriptive prose. No need to say it, but I will: I am a history nerd and Cornwell researches with perfection. 

This was book 7, which I somehow jumped over without reading.  I am now back on track and book 9 waits at the library for me. I think I will be following Sharpe all year as he makes his way across Europe engaged in stopping Napoleon.

Not my favorite Sharpe book, but had some great battle narratives. Sharpe continues to grow into leadership which is also fun to read about. The villain and "pretty woman" in this one were irritating and I really wasn't sad to see this episode go.

Another solid, entertaining look at Sharpe and how his path continues to intersect with the future Duke of Wellington. The villain was particularly awful this time around, so it was a pleasure to witness Sharpe's dogged pursuit of him (and his stolen telescope).
adventurous tense fast-paced

dmcke013's review

3.0

Chronologically the 7th Sharpe book, this is actually the 19th novel in the series, and the first of the 'new' (i.e written after the TV series of the 90s) books to be set back during the Peninsular War.

Set in 1809, this deals with the French invasion of Portugal, starting with their victory at Oporto, and finishing with their later defeat (again, at Oporto) and retreat when Arthur Wellesley arrives to take command of the Allied forces.

Initially detailed to find a missing British girl, Sharpe and his riflemen find themselves caught up in the schemes of a British officer Colonel Christopher who (of course) turns out to be a traitor.

As they were written out of order, I also found it a bit disconcerting that Sharpe is 'remembering' stuff that has never previously been mentioned in the original novels, and that this goes on for slightly longer than it needs to, but for all that: this is still a pretty enjoyable read.

Sharpe # 7