Sharpe's Havoc - Bernard Cornwell (Audiobook)

Audiobook, narrated by Patrick Tull

Harper-Collins, 2003

Listened to: July 2010 (at age 32)

First time read

What to Expect:

This is the seventh book (chronologically) in the Sharpe series of historical fiction revolving around events of the Napoleonic wars.  It was 20^th book written, though.  As such, it fits well with the later-written books (in order of publication).  While not completely necessary, I’d suggest reading the previous books to appreciate the history of the characters.

This book is a bit jarring compared to the just-previously-occurring, but much earlier-published prequel, Sharpe’s Company. 

My Reactions (possible spoilers!) after the break:

Overall:

This was a pleasure to listen to.  Sharpe, our hero, got to run around and be competent, which I felt was due after Sharpe’s Company.  In that book, he’s an ill-liked lieutenant newly in charge of a rebellious company and he can’t seem to do anything right.  This is good for character development, but I found that it got old to listen to. 

Also compared to Sharpe’s Company, the history from the Indian and Danish campaigns was also taken into account.  It just felt more comfortable then the prior book.  This may be a result of author development over the 21 years and 17 Sharpe books that happened between the publication of Sharpe’s Company and Sharpe’s Havoc.

Rating: 4

Characters:  

Good.  The main characters, Sharpe and Harper, have always been strong, and they were again.  In addition, we got to know several of the men in the company much better.

Premise:

Good. As is traditional by now, Sharpe gets asked to rescue an English woman in front of the French advance.  It then spirals out of control because of corruption, bad orders, and a tough situation.  This puts Sharpe in a mostly reactive posture through the book, but he does it competently. 

Setting:

Good.  The novel was set behind enemy lines in Portugal in between France’s advance and England’s recapture.  It seemed nicely picturesque, and yet dangerous.

Plot:

Good.  There was intrigue, betrayal, danger, suspense, and the threat of romance.  For a historical war novel, that’s pretty much all you can ask for.  The pacing was good, as well.

Narration:

Fair.  After a while of listening, I got used to the rhythm of the narrator.  He voiced the characters well, and did well with pacing, raising tension, and so forth.  I thought his voice was breathy, though, and I was irritated by emphasis of words that I didn’t want emphasized – stressing the adjective instead the noun, and suchlike.

What other people think:

MostlyFiction.com

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