Bibliography

Storyline

Sharpe is in what remains of Spain that is not ruled by the French. He is sent on a seemingly simple mission, destroy a bridge to prevent the French re-taking a newly captured fort. However he has reckoned without the actions of Colonel Vandel, who doesn't play by the rules, and only wants to win.

Sharpe escapes in a fashion, and with an injured Colonel Moon to keep him in check, they march across occupied Spain until they reach British lines.

Stuck in Lisbon, Sharpe again meets an old friend Pumphrey, and is immediately asked to aide in the retrieval of some sensitive letters belonging to Wellingtons brother. Sharpe knowing the ways of blackmailers refuses to accept that they will hand over the letters, believes (rightly) that the exchange is a trap. Following a violent exchange in the newly built Cathedral Sharpe escapes with both the money and the letters.

Although the letters have been destroyed and the heroine rescued, there is still the matter of a score to settle with Vandal, along with a Brigade of French troops under Marshall Victor. When Sharpe and French troops are in the area there is only one thing for Sharpe to do.

Sharpe finds himself face to face during the battle, but is unable to kill Vandal, as he yields. Sharpe refuses to accept his parole and forcibly removes the Frenchmans sword. Vandal complains, but at the hearing is saved by an unlikely ally.

Finally Sharpe finds out what happened to his love Astrid (see Sharpe's Prey), but is unable to do anything about it. Knowing Sharpe it will be resolved.

Review

The early part of the book is quite slow for a Sharpe novel, being centred more on the political aspects of the affair. I think this might be where the book suffers slightly. Sharpe is out of his natural environment, and in the alien world of political intrigue. Sharpe does his job in his own brute way, but by and large he is still a bit player.

When we get to the battle, Sharpe is again a bit player. Neither he or his regiment are on the field, and he joins merely because he wants to not knowing whether Vandal is on the field or not.

The battle itself is not as exciting as some written about, and I think Cornwell spent two much time on the Spaniards, who merely sit and watch. Too much time was spent on the build up to the battle rather than the battle itself, which in itself was quite interesting. A much superior force, just about surviving the French hammer blow, before turning the tide.

Not the best Sharpe, but even when below par, it is still a far better read than many authors can manage in their whole careers.

Previous	Index	Next