Sharpe’s Command
The 23rd Sharpe novel takes us back to the Peninsular War and the eventful year of 1812. Although he is now ranking as a major, Richard Sharpe’s command in this case is a small squad of 15 riflemen. He has a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, to reconnoitre a strategic bridge over the River Tagus, which the French are defending with well-garrisoned forts. There are also Spanish partisans, some unreliable, others led by Sharpe’s wife Teresa, nicknamed La Aguja (the needle) – a character whose temperament is not so much feisty as lethal. The topography of mountains, river valley, bridge and forts is described in fine detail – two maps are provided, and are needed. The plot gives us a series of battles against overwhelming odds, subterfuges involving pretending drunkenness to test the unreliable partisan commander, difficult night journeys, the taking of a fort by escalade (climbing ladders while under fire) and finally a daredevil duel between Teresa and an arch-enemy.
All the favourite ingredients of a Sharpe novel are here: the supporting characters whose names begin with ‘H’ – we have Harper, Hagman, Henderson, Harris, Hogan, though mercifully not the evil Hakeswill; meticulous descriptions of the loading, firing and effect of the Baker rifle; soldiers’ wit and toughness (‘Shall I kill him now?’ is asked more than once); and most of all the author’s expert focus on putting us, through Sharpe’s eyes, always at the centre of gripping action. It is more than 40 years since the first Sharpe novel, but the mixture remains as entertaining as ever. There is an afterword which reminds us that this author is also a conscientious researcher – some of the more far-fetched plot elements are based on reality. Cornwell continues to be the master of military historical fiction – long may he remain so.
