This entry in the Sharpe series is unusual, in that unlike most of the other books (Sharpe's Gold is the other notable exception) it is based on fictional events, albeit inspired by actual characters and circumstances. It's also a particularly strong entry in the series, and perhaps my favourite so far. It's Christmas, 1812. As Wellington's army is preparing to defend Portugal against a fresh French onslaught, Captain Richard Sharpe, hero of Talavera and Badajoz and commander of the South Essex's light company, recieves some welcome news. He is to promoted to Major, a given the job of supervising a troop of new rocket artillery which has been foisted upon the Peninsular army by none other than the Prince Regent himself. Sharpe is ready to settle in for an easy few weeks babysitting the rocketeers when he is called away on a rescue mission. Everything, naturally, goes to hell from there. Before the story's finished Richard Sharpe encounters an old enemy, meets a new one, confronts an old lover and experiences tragedy. About two thirds of Sharpe's Enemy is taken up the battle for an old Spanish convent and castle. First, it must be taken by the British from an army of deserters of mixed nationalities, then defended against a superior French force planning to use the nearby pass to invade Portugal. It's a brutal, bloody, affair, even for this series, and conjures images of famous last stands like Thermopylae or Rorke's Drift. Cornwell is at his best with the battle scenes here, managing to make the British battalion under Sharpe's command a force to be reckoned with, without ever undermining the skill and intelligence of the French attackers. I enjoyed Sharpe's Enemy for its battles and heroics, and felt the genuine emotion of Sharpe's tragedies and triumphs. It's an excellent entry in the series, and an excellent adventure story.
SHARPE'S ENEMY may well be the best of the early Sharpe outings written by Cornwell. I could never choose a single 'best' book in this long-running series, but this is definitely one of the top ones that surpasses most of its predecessors.Unusually, the story isn't based on a big historical battle, but you can relax: Cornwell devises one of his own choosing anyway. The result is a pacey adventure packed with vivid description and even more vivid characters. I think the reason this book is so well liked is the characters: Cornwell's assembled a grand cast of larger-than-life creations. The best is Sweet William, introduced here as a disfigured English fighter as unstoppable as Sharpe himself. In addition we have the lovable Major Nairn, the coldly sinister Pierre Ducos and the return of Hakeswill, the Sharpe books' greatest enemy and a truly evil man. Hakeswill isn't around much, probably appearing half a dozen times, but he makes an unforgettable impression.The story gives more character and depth to the French fighters than usual, and the battle sequences are tremendous. Rockets play a big part here in one tremendous set piece, and the subsequent skirmishes and battles are written with wit, ingenuity and passion. As usual, death and destruction plays a major part and I particularly enjoyed seeing the newly-promoted Sharpe using his brains rather than brawn to battle the enemy here.Things end on a particularly poignant moment which leaves you wanting to read the next in the series.
What do You think about Sharpe's Enemy (2001)?
This is one of the older Sharpe books and also one of the best. Sharpe is a newly promoted to Major and is tasked with investigating whether the rocket troop will ever be effectively used as a weapon. But high in the hills, on a holy day for women, a small army of deserters attack a convent, kill the men and force the women to join them. Four ladies are amongst them and they are to be ransomed back to their English and French husbands. Sharpe is asked to take the money, but the deserters refuse to give back the hostages and instead he has to endure taunting by his old enemy, Obadiah Hakeswill. With a new regiment of rifles and the rocket troop, Sharpe performs a daring rescue, captures the deserters and frees the women, only to find the French army has also arrived. Although they say they are only there to do the same, they have a secret. Out manned and out gunned, Sharpe has to defend the town until help arrives, using every bit of skill and cunning he has used before. But Hakeswill is out for revenge and tragedy awaits even in the hands of victory.An excellent story about my favourite group of characters. The ending is really sad too. I so enjoy reading these.
—Dark-Draco
Mon. June 18, 2012Finished this one on Sat. evening finally. Too many distractions ;oP and i kept putting it down.Spoiler Alert Review:Another great Sharpe novel. The actor who played "Hake Swill" (my private name for the loathsome thing) did and absolutely fabulous job of bringing "it" to life. They seemed to have make Obidiah both More & Less nasty than the book all at the same time. In the book, he just escapes but in the movie he rapes and kills the wife of the (now) dead soldier and steals Her horde/treasure while recovering His ill gotten stolen goods...In the movie Shapre is so saddened, full of grief over the death of his wife, that he could care less about Obidiahs execution and turns away when the officer steps up to finish the job with his pistol (after the firing squad fails to quite kill him)...In the Book however, despite his grief and pain, He (Sharpe) steps up w/his rifle and does the job, and ends "Hake-Swills" "I Can't Die", "You Can't Kill Me!" ravings.There were also much more apparent co-operation between the French and British hostage rescuers in the movie, than in the bookI like the Book version of the Rocket troops Way more than what they showed in the movie.As is usual in All the books, there was Much more violence and gore than they even attempt to show in the movies.xoDaleB.xo
—Daleb.
(view spoiler)[ Another excellent piece of writing by Cornwell. At several times the plot was perhaps predictable, but sharpe's professional skill wins the day yet again. use of rockets is an interesting and novel aid to the humour aspect of the storyline. But the ending was not great, and actually left me quite emotional. That Hakeswell should escape captivity was obvious, but that he should also meet his just ending equally apparent. But why did he have to kill Teresa in the process? I suppose it's a sign of being hooked into the story that you connect with the characters, but I found the abruptness annoying. (hide spoiler)]
—Alex
