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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Sharpe’s Gold by Bernard Cornwell is another enjoyable volume in Cornwell’s Napoleonic War series featuring our hero, Richard Sharpe. I found this one particularly interesting not just because it’s a good story that proposes an unusual solution for the cause of a huge explosion that destroyed the fortress at Alameda, but also because of the huge ethical dilemma that Sharpe creates for himself. To my way of thinking, Sharpe doesn’t linger long enough on the ramifications of his act, which kills hundreds, in order to release himself from the order of a superior officer so that he can fulfill the order of another, Wellington. The general had ordered Sharpe to take his company into enemy territory and steal 16,000 gold coins from the Spanish, ostensibly a British ally. Wellington insists the gold is needed to save the war for the British. Sharpe succeeds, of course, after the usual narrow escapes and plunges into manure piles and beautiful women, but I found the decision he makes to get out of his dilemma totally disturbing.
Enjoyable, quick, fun read. I was disappointed that the book (or the edition I read) didn't have a historical explanation/disclaimer at the end. (I've enjoyed learning what liberties the author took in prior books.)
Although I liked the story frame itself (especially the incorporation of historical events (in this case the siege of Almeida) to the plot), the entire Teresa part destroyed the book for me. While I usually don't mind so much the obligatory kitsch love story of every Sharpe novel, this time it felt artificial and forced, up to a point where it became just absurd.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No