I don't know what it was about this one, but it felt a bit different from the mid-period Sharpe books so far. It just had a bit more grit and personality to it or something. Whatever it is, I could use a bit more of it--I always, always have a good deal of fun with Sharpe but lately the formulaic bone structure of the books has become more and more apparent. There's nothing here that changes the formula but it was just a particularly compelling entry, at least for me. With every consecutive book (and I'm not even halfway through) the odds against me continuing to enjoy each one are increasing rapidly but I haven't been let down yet.It certainly helps that the plot device (I don't think it's a spoiler to say that it's gold) gives the story an easy focal point to move towards. Also helping things is the first full-fledged villain since Hakeswill disappeared (seemingly a victim of the weird publishing circumstances of the series--I had to cheat to see that he appears in future books.) El Católico was a ruthless bastard but one could still relate to his motivation and goals--but we all know when you fuck with Sharpe you lose. And we get our first sword fight since like...Sharpe's Fortress or whatever. Honestly, what man, woman or child doesn't love a good sword fight?And Sharpe is still awesome and a compelling character. There's a couple moments of just pure...Sharpeness that had me laughing or shaking my head. I won't be a douche and spoil anything but there's certainly another moment of the man completely crossing/pissing on several moral/ethical lines. It's certainly a refreshing change from the selfless Mary Sue heroism of many books like these. Even the ostensible love interest Teresa was a full-blooded personality and badass in her own right, which is a lovely change from the usual doe-eyed fucking...merchant's daughter or whatever. It's a book I might recommend as a starter Sharpe if the potential acolyte isn't interested in the Anglo-Mysore War setting.
This has to be the worst of the Sharpe series. Aside from the abrupt ending to an already short novel, there are inconsistencies with the consistency of Cornwell's writing and characters. Sharpe and Wellington are both amply out of character here. While both are motivated by an unrelenting desire to succeed, the actions taken in this installment go beyond their previously established value system. There are also plot holes such as how did Hagman and his 3 get out of the village after providing overwatch from the bell tower in chapter 13? How come none of the partisans were shot by Hagman and his group when they left the village?.There's a drastic difference between the first set of books that were written and the rest of the books that were inserted into the story later. The later books are polished to perfection and Sharpe's character is infinitely more compelling. It makes one wish that Cornwell had perfected his trade on some other series before coming to Sharpe. The Sharpe series still remains some of the best historical fiction out there, it's just that half of the series (Rifles, Eagle, Gold, Company, Sword, Enemy, Honour, Regiment, Siege, Revenge and Waterloo) is dampened by seeing what it could have been when compared to the later novels (Tiger, Triumph, Fortress, Trafalagar, Prey, Havoc, Escape, Fury, Battle, Skirmish, Christmas, Ransom and Devil).
What do You think about Sharpe's Gold (2004)?
See review for Sharpe's Rifles. This is the second book written in the series, although I understand the author backfilled... writing more stories that filled in between the originals. Some years later he wrote Sharpe's Havoc which fell between Sharpe's Rifles and this book. Curious. But... it was fun. I am trying to read a Fitzgerald book which is well written but the characters are all painfully really, the story boring its and not nearly as much fun as these fantastical adventures and this hero. This story tells of Gen Andrew Wellsley's campaign in the Napoleonic war on the Iberian Peninsula. He out generals the French but is forced to withdraw at the end because the Spanish did not provide provisions promised for troops. This story is fictional, dealing with hero, Richard Sharpe, who rises through the ranks from private to become an officer. In this story he is elevated from lieutenant to captain. Fun story.
—Ernie
The second chapter of Bernard Cornwell's Napoleonic war series, by order of publication, Sharpe's Gold is unusual for the series in that it is based on largely fictional events. 1809, a year after the British victory at Talavera. Richard Sharpe is now a Captain, though his promotion has yet to be confirmed, and the British army is losing in Spain. Wellington has a plan which could save Portugal, but he needs money and isn't getting any from Whitehall. Sharpe is called upon to travel into enemy territory, link up with Spanish partisans, and steal a horde of gold from under the noses of the French. This is the second Sharpe novel, and is much weaker than the first. Part of this is due to the reliance on Sharpe's conflict with the Spaniards, who get little characterisation from Cornwell beyond being nasty and tough and, in the case of the sole female, beautiful (of course). His sparring with a conflicted British exploring officer who's gone native is better, given that one can sympathise with the latter's arguments about the morality of stealing the gold (which is, after all, Spanish). Besides, Sharpe is always best when he's struggling with bureaucracy, not the outright villainy on display here. There are one or two good moments of action, but none of them really compare with the enthralling battle narratives of the first. Which is sad, given that the novel's concentration on the guerilla war in Spain should provide for more interesting action set-pieces. The finale, in which Sharpe takes a particularly ruthless course of action in order to fulfil his mission, was something of a suprise. However, it came too late to rescue the book for me.
—Mick
It's a treasure hunt and everyone's invited!British army officer Richard Sharpe is sent on a secretive mission in Spain, almost a fool's errand, to obtain rumored gold. This is gold that belongs to the Spanish, but is needed by the British, who certainly don't want it to fall into the hands of the French! Many of the nation's involved in the Napoleonic wars are represented in this ally-vs-ally-vs-enemy-vs-etc book, even the Germans show up for some fun!Sharpe's Gold is fun and would be considered inconsequential but for Sharpe meeting (view spoiler)[the love of his life, (hide spoiler)]
—Jason Koivu
