"Trafalgar" and "Prey" book discussion
book discussion: "Trafalgar" and "Prey" written for
While I totally agree with chelseagirl47 on "Sharpes Triumph" another supporting thought occurred to me. The following thoughts refer to the novels "Trafalgar" and "Prey". It´s a bit early to discuss them now but I just have to express this as it is on my mind since I first read the books. But I want to warn you. SPOILERS AHEAD! If you haven´t read the mentioned novels yet and don´t want to know anything about them-- stop now!
chelseagir47 said: I didn't like that Sharpe was working on how he might be raised from the ranks; the notion of it hitting him unawares works better for me.
It works better because this version fits Sharpe´s character as we know him from the books as well as he appears in the TV-Series. Here we have a first hint of something which becomes worse in the following novels (for me). In "Trafalgar" Cornwell sort of abandons the characteristics which determine Sharpe even more. For example: In "Rifles" it is said: "No wealthy woman would have me", Sharpe said, (...) "I wasn´t born to the right family."
.(...)" Or: Of Louisa it is said: "She did not need to finish (refusing Sharpes proposal). She could not throw herself away on a common soldier, an ageing Lieutenant, a pauper in a tattered uniform whose only prospect was to decay in some country barracks." In "Trafalgar" we see him in a close relationship with Lady Grace. A woman which is according to the later novels much too highranking in society to even consider falling in love with a guy like him.
In "Prey" he mourns her in a way he won´t do for Theresa. Even if you consider his age as things happen I like the Sharpe from the "original" books.
It seems as if Cornwell had not read carefully his own books before writing prequels. Personally I will never read "Trafalgar", "Prey" and "Devil" again (as I do with all the others occasionally).
These are personal thoughts not meant to offend someone who claims "Trafalgar" as his favourite one.
At least: I wanted to express this since I first read them but noone I know knows of Richard Sharpe (ever such a sad thing!)It has to be said! Sorry!
While I totally agree with chelseagirl47 on "Sharpes Triumph" another supporting thought occurred to me. The following thoughts refer to the novels "Trafalgar" and "Prey". It´s a bit early to discuss them now but I just have to express this as it is on my mind since I first read the books. But I want to warn you. SPOILERS AHEAD! If you haven´t read the mentioned novels yet and don´t want to know anything about them-- stop now!
chelseagir47 said: I didn't like that Sharpe was working on how he might be raised from the ranks; the notion of it hitting him unawares works better for me.
It works better because this version fits Sharpe´s character as we know him from the books as well as he appears in the TV-Series. Here we have a first hint of something which becomes worse in the following novels (for me). In "Trafalgar" Cornwell sort of abandons the characteristics which determine Sharpe even more. For example: In "Rifles" it is said: "No wealthy woman would have me", Sharpe said, (...) "I wasn´t born to the right family."
.(...)" Or: Of Louisa it is said: "She did not need to finish (refusing Sharpes proposal). She could not throw herself away on a common soldier, an ageing Lieutenant, a pauper in a tattered uniform whose only prospect was to decay in some country barracks." In "Trafalgar" we see him in a close relationship with Lady Grace. A woman which is according to the later novels much too highranking in society to even consider falling in love with a guy like him.
In "Prey" he mourns her in a way he won´t do for Theresa. Even if you consider his age as things happen I like the Sharpe from the "original" books.
It seems as if Cornwell had not read carefully his own books before writing prequels. Personally I will never read "Trafalgar", "Prey" and "Devil" again (as I do with all the others occasionally).
These are personal thoughts not meant to offend someone who claims "Trafalgar" as his favourite one.
At least: I wanted to express this since I first read them but noone I know knows of Richard Sharpe (ever such a sad thing!)It has to be said! Sorry!