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Richard Sharpe is back!
After Bernard Cornwell finished his 'Last Kingdom' series, he revisits the Napoleonic Era with "Sharpe's Assassin". This came as a surprise, because the last novel about Sharpe, "Sharpe's Fury", was published 15 years ago. So the readers wondered, why bring back Sharpe?
“I enjoy writing him, and he's in the back of my head, grumbling. So why not?” says Bernard Cornwell. He also says there are still gaps in Sharpe's story.
"Sharpe's Assassin" starts right after the battle of Waterloo. Sharpe and his faithful lieutenant Harper bury rifleman Dan Hagman. It's a moment of reflection; the war is over, since Napoleon has been beaten. Now what? Harper can not wait to return to his beloved Ireland, while Sharpe longs for retiring on his beloved farm in Normandy.
But Wellington has other plans. He wants to prevent another war, and for that he sends Sharpe and his men to Paris. To eliminate a group of loyal Bonapartists under the pretence of assisting to return stolen art works to their rightful owners.
It is in Paris that the story seems back on track, as we like it. Before that it seemed everything was undecided, like the outcome of the battle at Waterloo. But with a clear goal Sharpe can do what he does best; doing dirty work for King and country.
No big battles in this book, but we get to see a more reflective side of Sharpe.
Previous books ended with the note that "Sharpe will march again". Not in this book. Though, it might very well be possible that Bernard Cornwell finds another story to tell about his most beloved rogue and hero.
“I enjoy writing him, and he's in the back of my head, grumbling. So why not?” says Bernard Cornwell. He also says there are still gaps in Sharpe's story.
"Sharpe's Assassin" starts right after the battle of Waterloo. Sharpe and his faithful lieutenant Harper bury rifleman Dan Hagman. It's a moment of reflection; the war is over, since Napoleon has been beaten. Now what? Harper can not wait to return to his beloved Ireland, while Sharpe longs for retiring on his beloved farm in Normandy.
But Wellington has other plans. He wants to prevent another war, and for that he sends Sharpe and his men to Paris. To eliminate a group of loyal Bonapartists under the pretence of assisting to return stolen art works to their rightful owners.
It is in Paris that the story seems back on track, as we like it. Before that it seemed everything was undecided, like the outcome of the battle at Waterloo. But with a clear goal Sharpe can do what he does best; doing dirty work for King and country.
No big battles in this book, but we get to see a more reflective side of Sharpe.
Previous books ended with the note that "Sharpe will march again". Not in this book. Though, it might very well be possible that Bernard Cornwell finds another story to tell about his most beloved rogue and hero.
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