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Review
‘Sharpe and his creator are national treasures.' Sunday Telegraph
'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail
'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer
‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.’ George R.R. Martin
Review
'Sharpe and his creator are national treasures.' Sunday Telegraph 'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail 'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer 'The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.' George R.R. Martin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sharpe's Enemy is the first "Sharpe" novel I ever read, some twelve years ago. To this day it remains my all-time favourite, not only in this series but of any historical fiction. It contains all of Cornwell's best creations in terms of characters: in addition to Sharpe himself we see the indestructable Patrick Harper, the formiddable enemies Obadiah Hakeswill and Pierre Ducos. There is the "Lady" Josefina, and Sharpe's Spanish wife, Teresa. Two new allies are also introduced in this story: Major General Nairn, and "Sweet" William Frederickson who will both have important roles to play in later stories. Harry Price is there, as drunk as ever, and even Hogan and Wellington himself put in brief appearances.
In Sharpe's Enemy, there are, as ever, enemies on both sides. It is Cornwell's gift to depict complex characters which really come to life, and we expect nothing less from the master of this genre. However, in addiction to the excellent plot, and fine description of war in the Napoleonic era, this story has an extra touch of humour which is sometimes lacking in the others. This is not to say that readers, old and new, will not be deeply moved by the novel's ending.
In his Historical Note to the novel, Cornwell apologises for distorting facts somewhat. It is true that Sharpe seems to pop up in just about every major battle, and indeed many a casual skirmish, of the era, but the quality of the writing always seems to overcome these unlikely coincidences.
This is an essential read for any fan of Richard Sharpe, whether you are new to the series or not. In fact, my advice to any new readers is to start with the original series (Sharpe's Eagle was the first) before going back to the more recent "prequels".
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read all of the Sharpe novels. This is the best. I take it out on a cold winter night every couple of years to find a cast of truly remarkable characters who have become old friends: the indestructable Patrick Harper and the rest of the Green Jackets: Harry Price is there with the Red Coats: evil and dangerous enemies Obadiah Hakeswill and Pierre Ducos: the incomparable "Lady" Josefina; Sharpe's incredible wife, Teresa; Two new allies appear in this story: Major General Nairn, who is introduced in one of the most hilarious and outlandish accounts in any of the Sharpe books, and "Sweet" William Frederickson,a thoughtful intellectual looking for a fight; Hogan and Wellington and a courageous French colonel who allies himself with Sharpe round out the cast. This book has humor, action, adventure, and tragedy. As a new Major, Sharpe shows that he can outthink and outfight his enemies, both foriegn and domestic! It is the supreme Sharpe story!
Format:Paperback
Having been a Bernard Cornwall 'late starter' I just can't get enough now. I started with The Grail Quest, moved on to The Saxon Stories and then discovered Sharpe. Starting late does mean I can read the Sharpe books in chronological order and can only say that Sharpe's Enemy was the best yet. (And all the others were pretty damn good). So on to No16, Sharpe's Honour, try them, they won't disappoint.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Multiple typos (Kindle edition)
Leaving aside narrative, character, plot for the moment, this is a shocking edition. Typos (or OCR errors) on every page. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mat Morrison
Great read
I love all the Sharpe books. This is probably one of my favourites as it introduces the reader to Captain Frederickson and of course there is all the usual suspects in support! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Cowboy Jo
One of Sharpe's many enemys
If you have got this far in the Sharpe books you know what's coming.
Hardship, visceral fighting, appreciative women and victory. Read more
Hardship, visceral fighting, appreciative women and victory. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Sharplord
Uninspiring, I'm afraid to say...
My first Amazon review and I'm afraid to say it won't be glowing.
I was looking for some light reading and having recently enjoyed some historical fiction (Wolf Hall by... Read more
I was looking for some light reading and having recently enjoyed some historical fiction (Wolf Hall by... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. R Robertson
An Exciting Fictional Story of the Peninsular Wars
I highly recommend that you read Sharpe's Enemy in the order of the chronology that it reflects. Although this book was number six in the original publication sequence, Sharpe's... Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by Donald Mitchell
Out with the old and in with the new
This book is hard to review without giving too much away. This is one of the few not set at a famous battle, however wonderful setting and great plot. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2008 by chuckles
Brilliant
Contrary to most other Sharpe-novels this is one isn't based on any real campaign or battle but (almost) entirely fictional, and I must say I for one would not object if Cornwell... Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2007 by Didier
Incredibly fantastic, incredibly moving
Looking for an emotional ride? Forget lovey-dovey novels and epics by Byron and settle down with Sharpe's Enemy! Read more
Published on 5 July 2005 by Sarah Bourne
An excellent read
I love the Sharpe books and this is one of the best I have read. vivid battle scenes, pulsating plot and a savage twist at the end. Read more
Published on 28 April 2002 by Mr. N. Bathurst
Excellent!
This is one of my favourite books describing Richard Sharpe's adventures from India to France! It's nice the way the Cornwell has brought the hated Hakeswill back into Sharpe's... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2000 by palmer_elaine@hotmail.com
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