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Sharpe's Tiger
Storyline
Sharpe and the rest of his battalion, along with the rising star of the general staff Arthur Wellesley, are about to embark upon the siege of Seringapatum , island citadel if the Tippoo of Mysore. The British must remove this potentate from his tiger throne, but he has gone to extraordinary lengths to defend his city from attack. And always he is surrounded by tigers, both living and ornamental ... any prisoner of the Tippoo can expect a savage end.When a senior British Officer is captured by the Tippoo's forces Sharpe is offered a chance to attempt a rescue, a chance he snatches in order to escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. But in fleeing Hakeswill he enters the confusing, exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo and Sharpe will need all his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe.
Review
This is the back fill story, and where Sharpes career starts, although this is in actual fact the 16 th book in the series.
This is also the story that sets him on the road to Waterloo as a highly decorated officer, and one up from the ranks. We also see from the start why Sharpe and Hakeswill are such bitter enemies, and why their future battles are so intense. Sharpe actually has the time to ensure the death of his nemesis, but leaves it to fate to divine Hakeswills own fate. Unfortunately his fate is to live - to Sharpes bitter regret.
Sharpe also meets senior officers, who with Sharpe are in the Tippoos prison, where he is taught to read and write. So Sharpe becomes armed with the basic requirements to become an officer to be able to read and write.
This book is quite different to the stories based in the Peninsula, the whole world of the East is very different to what we are used to. The troops are not only those of King George, but those of the East India Company.
This book has a lot to do. It not only has to introduce us to a new setting, but it has to take us right back to the beginning, when Sharpe wears the famous Red Coat. In this it does the job. Neither Sharpe nor Wellington have garnered any real fame, although Seringapatum is the start of that rise. Also this is not the novel in which Sharpe saves the future Dukes life, that is yet to come.
This is a good solid novel, and a great way to backfill the early history, and set up the future that is to come for Sharpe. If I were just starting out I think that I would still read Sharpe's Rifles, as the story has greater depth, and has all the characters that will make the series so great.
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