Sharpe’s Eagle - Bernard Cornwell (Audiobook)

Narrated by William Gaminara

Listened to: July 2010 (at age 32)

First time read

What to Expect:

This is the eighth book (chronologically) in the Sharpe series of historical fiction revolving around events of the Napoleonic wars.  It was the 1^st book written, though, and is presumably a good starting place for the series.  It is a solid book of historical military fiction, and a fun listen.

Publisher’s blurb:

Captain Richard Sharpe, bold, professional, and ruthless, prepares to lead his men against the armies of Napoleon at Talavera in what will be the bloodiest battle of the war.  Sharpe has earned his captaincy, but there are others – such as the foppish Lieutenant Gibbons and his uncle, Colonel Henry Simmerson – who have bought their commissions despite their incompetence.  After their cowardly loss of the regiment’s colors, their resentment toward the upstart Sharpe turns to treachery, and Sharpe must fight to redeem the honor of his regiment.

My Reactions (spoilers!):

Overall: 

My reactions to this book were much the same that I had with Sharpe’s Havoc.  The story was strong, the narration was very well done, and Sharpe was still competent.  It also belies my thinking after reading Sharpe’s Havoc that the intervening seventeen years and many books written improved Mr. Cornwell’s writing.  This may be my favorite Sharpe novel so far, although I also thoroughly enjoyed Sharpe’s Havoc, and Sharpe’s Tiger more than some of the rest.   Since this was the first book written in the series, I was surprised at how much of the back story from the Indian and Danish campaigns was already plotted out and referred to, since they would not be written out until well over a decade later.

The reason I’m not ranking it higher is because, while it was a fun, entertaining novel, it wasn’t particularly moving or suspenseful – there are many more books in the series, so it’s not like Sharpe’s going to die or anything.  But for what it was, it was a good book.

Rating: 4

Characters:  

Good.  As ever, Harper and Sharpe are strong characters.  In addition, we got to know several of the men in the company much better.

Premise: 

Good. During the English advance into Spain, Sharpe is assigned to an insufferable, incompetent superior officer.  This leads to most of the tension throughout the book, as Sharpe has to overcome all sorts of avoidable, terrible situations. 

Setting: 

Fair.  The novel was set in Spain during an English advance, 1809.  There’s not much more to say, as the setting didn’t play much of a part in the novel.  It was described well enough, but one battlefield is starting to seem much like any other that Sharpe’s been to.  That’s not a bad thing, particularly.  The setting just didn’t stand out that much.

Plot: 

Good.  As with most of the Sharpe novels, there was intrigue, betrayal, danger, suspense, and the even some romance.  The pacing was good, as well.

Narration: 

Excellent.  William Gaminara did very well.  I liked the pacing, sentence emphasis, as well as how he brought to life accents and other distinguishing characteristics of the various characters.  I couldn’t say whether the accents were accurate or not, but I don’t care too much, either.  It’s nice to be able to tell who’s speaking before the “said Harper” at the end of the sentence.

What other people think:

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