Flashman and the Angel of the Lord (The Flashman Papers) (Paperback)

I'm a dedicated Flashman reader, and until this one thoroughly enjoyed every one of 'em; so much so I've not only re-read them umpteen times, but also recently re-read them in chronological order, and whilst doing so have considerably increased my knowledge of Victorian history. Much of the enjoyment has been that the subject matter of each book has been interesting- until this one came along.

Unless you're American, you've probably never heard of John Brown (other than in the song, and even then it's a little known song these days). It's not a bad book as such, but an enormous shame that now the author is getting on in years he didn't write about Rorke's Drift (but this is covered a little in the latest excellent "Flashman and the Tiger") , or the Alamo, or one of a number of more interesting and better known historical episodes hinted at in earlier works in the series. I hate to say it but this is just a Flashman Formula book, a sort of "Flashman by numbers" if you will. It doesn't improve much with re-reading either, and I'm afraid that if it weren't for a few minor episodes within the story which link in to other Flashman novels, I probably wouldn't even recommend it to fellow Flashman followers. Don't let this put you off the others though, as with the slight exception of "Royal Flash" they're the most enduringly enjoyable novels I've ever read!

In the first half of the book, by a series of absurd coincidences, Flashman finds himself forced into participating in the attack on Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 with Ol' John Brown. It appears that the author is trying his hand at a somekinf of political farce as Flashy bounces from misfortune to misfortune, but it comes across as far fetched and messy, and Flashman is not his usual toadying cowardly self and doesn't react the way to situations that we have come to expect from our lily-livered anthero. However, it does give an interesing insight in to abolitionist politics of the time.

From the moment that John Brown's gang (and Flashy) arrive in Virginia, however, the book notches up several gears and is pure Flashman, out to save his own skin and womanising at every opportunity.

The historical context and educational value is as ever, excellent (the charactersiation of John Brown is especially excellent), and the second half of the book makes up for the first, but not the best Flashman offering.

The book has many notable moments of classic Flashy awfulness but they always feel like they are struggling to escape from the reverential mawkishness which overwhelms the rest of the book.

I suppose it starts from the dismal, dull little scene with the Irish priest which sounds like Dickens at his most sentimental (wouldn't the real Flash have seduced the housekeeper for his food rather than dug the garden?). It then grinds on interminably until finally hitting the sand in the tedious description of them all sitting in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere while St Harry discovers respect, love and adoration for Brown as they wait for the raid to happen.

It really is too painful to recall...