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Product Description
MOROSE, CYNICAL AND GIVEN TO DRINK, SYDNEY CARTON IS ONE OF CHARLES DICKENS' MOST FAMOUS CHARACTERS; A DISPASSIONATE MAN, YET CAPABLE, IN THE FINAL MOMENTS OF 'A TALE OF TWO CITIES', OF SACRIFICING HIMSELF BENEATH THE GUILLOTINE FOR LUCY, THE WOMAN HE BOTH LOVED AND LOST. IT NOW APPEARS, HOWEVER, THAT DICKENS WAS BEING SOMEWHAT ECONOMICAL WITH THE ACTUALITÉ. NEWLY RECOVERED DOCUMENTS, WRITTEN IN CARTON'S OWN HAND, TELL A FAR DIFFERENT TALE. SYDNEY CARTON SURVIVED HIS EXECUTION, ONLY TO FIND HIMSELF AT THE MERCY OF THE MONSTROUS ROBESPIERRE, AUTHOR OF THE PARIS TERROR. HIS LOVE LUCY LANGUISHES IN A FRENCH PRISON, HER HUSBAND DEAD, AND CARTON CAN ENSURE HER SURVIVAL ONLY BY BECOMING ROBESPIERRE'S PERSONAL SPY. RELUCTANT, TERRIFIED AND OFTEN DRUNK, CARTON BLUNDERS HIS WAY THROUGH THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION, GRUDGINGLY PARTAKING IN SOME OF THE BLACKEST DEEDS OF THE TERROR AND, BY A MIXTURE OF COWARDICE, BRAVADO AND LUCK, LENDING A HAND IN THE FALL OF MOST OF ITS LEADING FIGURES. KIDNAPPED BY THE BRITISH, HE FINDS HIMSELF A DOUBLE AGENT, TRUSTED BY NEITHER SIDE. CARTON CHRONICLES THE SLOW DECAY OF REVOLUTIONARY IDEALS AND, IN PASSING, CASTS LIGHT ON THE TRUE PARENTAGE OF THAT SADISTIC VILLAIN OF 'TOM BROWNE'S SCHOOLDAYS', THE BEASTLY FLASHMAN.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an avid reader of the Flashman Series I was a little chary of this book - after all, who can write like the incomparable GMF? Having read it, I have to say Keith Laidler makes a pretty good fist at doing just that - the hero is Dickens' Sidney Carton (he of "It is a far far better thing...etc" fame); there's a well-thought out plot, several luscious and suitably lascivious ladies, and enough hilarious escapades and scurrilous comments to keep any Flashman fan happy (the two pages on why the British always beat the French are especially hilarious). A nice touch is the author making Sydney Carton out to be Flashman's true father, the result of a secret affair with Flashman's mother while her husband `view-halloed' about the country chasing foxes! And between the text and the notes at the back I learned a lot about the French Revolution. Thoroughly recommended!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A worthy imitator of McDonald Fraser's Flashman series, in both content and style, and obviously aimed at that readership, even to the device of publishing a series of discovered memoirs. Not (yet) as good as GMF at his best, but already better than him at his worst.
An excellent choice of a flawed hero, taken from historical fiction, with the clear intention of more books to come - there are passing references to other episodes in the character's life. The story is well written, the characters well defined, with enough period feel to set the scene without it becoming overwhelming, and left me wanting to learn more about the French Revolution and the characters behind it - always a good sign!
If anything, the only disappointment was the (short) explanation of Flashman's parentage. It seemed a clumsy insert and out of context, given that the book is about Carton's exploits in revolutionary France, 20 years before Harry's birth. It was probably included just to justify the reference on the cover that made me buy the book in the first place, so that we fans did not feel cheated - but it might have been sufficient to make some passing reference and expand more in a subsequent book, as the book stands on its own merits.
I will be looking out for the next set of chronicles.
An excellent choice of a flawed hero, taken from historical fiction, with the clear intention of more books to come - there are passing references to other episodes in the character's life. The story is well written, the characters well defined, with enough period feel to set the scene without it becoming overwhelming, and left me wanting to learn more about the French Revolution and the characters behind it - always a good sign!
If anything, the only disappointment was the (short) explanation of Flashman's parentage. It seemed a clumsy insert and out of context, given that the book is about Carton's exploits in revolutionary France, 20 years before Harry's birth. It was probably included just to justify the reference on the cover that made me buy the book in the first place, so that we fans did not feel cheated - but it might have been sufficient to make some passing reference and expand more in a subsequent book, as the book stands on its own merits.
I will be looking out for the next set of chronicles.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Excellent, well researched ripping yarn - highly recommended reading if you're a Flasman fan. Never thought anybody could fill GMF's boots - but Keith Laidler wears them well. Really hope the second installment is on the way soon!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sloppy editing
It had to happen, of course: The Flashman concept had to be revived. The connection between the hero of the first book in what seems to be meant as a series, The Carton Chronicles,... Read more
Published 8 hours ago by Red Critic
A review of The Carlton Chronicles by R.A.Downing
I was very saddened indeed when the author of Flashman passed away,as I had grown up
reading his novels and also enjoying and learning about the historical aspects of... Read more
reading his novels and also enjoying and learning about the historical aspects of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Downing
What a great idea!
Like many others, I thought trying to match the Flashman stories was a big ask, but I enjoyed this tale and feel Mr Laidler has created a new hero that will develop in (hopefully)... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Old Bedan
GMcDF he ain't
A worthy effort, similarities - chronicles found in an old house, hero used and abused by historical figures to better their own ends, sleeps with famous heroines of the age,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. S. Mcmanus
An indifferent copy of the Flashman formula
Keith Laidler is trying to copy the formula of the great George MacDonald Fraser and, from sly references in this book, hopes to launch a series. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Robert Wilkes
Pretty Good!
The Flashman connection sold me on this book, especially since the sad demise of GMF. This one is told in a very similar first person style and though I would say I didn't find the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Sandy M
Hard Work
I really really wanted to enjoy this book, hoping it would fill the gap in my life left by the death of George MacDonald Fraser (so no more Flashmans) but I found it such a slog. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Petshopgirl
Have you been copying, boy?...see me after class
Oh dear, a lazy writer meets a lazy reader! How much trouble could it be to type 1793 and not `93 so that I have do not have to stop and actually think about what year it must be... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Lazy Reader
The Carton Chronicles
I really enjoyed this. The story grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. It's a nice idea to have Dickens' selfless hero Sydney Carton suddenly getting cold feet, deciding... Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Fraser A Duff
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