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Sharpe #21
Sharpe's Revenge
It is 1814 and the defeat of Napolean seems imminent - if the well-protected city of Toulouse can be conquered. For Richard Sharpe, the battle turns out to be one of the bloodiest of the Peninsula Wars, and he must draw on his last reserves of strength to lead his troops to victory.
But before Sharpe can lay down his sword, he must fight a different sort of battle. Accused of stealing Napolean's personal treasure, Sharpe escapes from a British military court and embarks on the battle of his life - armed only with the unflinching resolve to protect his honor.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
Bernard Cornwell
537 books19.3k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
May 8, 2022
This is the final book of the Sharp series. I really recommend this entire ceries. I enjoyed this one very much. It had a bit of hope in it and some dreams were finally coming true for the main charicters.
January 30, 2025
This book reflects on events during the last stages of The Napoleonic Wars. The French have their backs to Paris and the Allies are pressing their attack. Richard Sharpe has risen in the world and is now a brevet major commanding a large contingent. He is married but has chosen to stay and fight while his wife returns to England and seeks out their new home.
This book can be read by itself, but you will miss the nuances of the war and of Sharpe’s career that Cornwell has so meticulously constructed. Bernard Cornwell became “famous” with this series and his skills at characterization and drama as well as his meticulous research into the armies, as well as the battles, are all on display in this volume.
When this book begins there may be a single battle left before the war comes to its end. As noted above, Sharpe feels his duty lies in staying with his troops and comrades “until the business is finished.” From this point, imagine the animated movie where the hero is hanging onto the cliff by his fingertips, suspended over the abyss, and the villain is removing those fingerholds one by one. The plotting is compelling, but Cornwell’s imagination is on full display as his dialogue reveals the nature and culture of the various characters. He is as adept in bringing the feel of the drawing room as he is with his descriptions of the battlefield.
I was doing a “double read” on this book, listening to some in the car and taking notes when I had my Kindle handy. Seeing the words on the page made me aware of the tremendous effort that went into this volume. But, hearing it from Frederick Davidson was a further delight as he brought a myriad of characters to life. It mattered not whether they were: young or old, sophisticated or simple; male or female; French, Italian, Scottish; Irish or English. Davidson made them all unique.
A delight!
(I plan to add some quotations that show Cornwell’s talents at description and the meticulous details of this period.)
On Battles and Enemies
"Sharpe suddenly wished he was back with the Prince of Wales’s Own Volunteers who, under their new Colonel, did not have to face this devil’s ridge of forts, trenches and guns. They would be safe, while Sharpe was foully aware of the symptoms of terror. He could feel his heart thumping, sweat was chill on his skin, and a muscle in his left thigh was twitching. His throat was parched, his belly felt hollow, and he wanted to vomit. He tried to smile, and sought for some casual words that would demonstrate his lack of fear, but he could think of nothing."
"‘Halt!’ The British did not press their charge home. There was no need, for the columns had fled in panic. ‘Dress ranks! Unfix bayonets! Skirmishers forward! Reload!’ Major-General Nairn looked down at his watch and noted that it had taken precisely three minutes and twenty seconds to break the French attack. In the past, he reflected, when more moustaches had filled the enemy ranks, it would have taken about six minutes longer."
"the true responsibility did not lie with Nairn, nor even with Wellington who commanded the battle from its northern flank, but with the ordinary soldier. It was the redcoat and greenjacket who had to march forward in the certain knowledge that the best artillery in Europe waited to decimate his ranks. A shilling, a third of a pint of rum and two pounds of twice baked bread each day were the wages for this moment, and in return they must march into hell and come out victors."
"‘Take the boys home, Richard!’ Nairn called. ‘Take them home!’ ‘Charge!’ Sharpe felt the rage rising, the unreasonable rage of battle, the anger that would only be slaked by victory. It was this same pride and rage that had made Taplow spur ahead of his men to certain death, and which had made Nairn lead his men into the cauldron that was the redoubt’s killing ground. ‘Charge!’"
"The attack, Sharpe decided, had gone beyond the ability of any one man to control it; now it was just a mass of maddened men released to battle, and so long as they could be kept moving forward, then so long was victory possible. Sharpe lost sense of time. The fear was gone, as it always seemed to vanish once the danger was present."
"Sharpe smiled. ‘No, General, there’ll be no more battles.’ ‘You’re right.’ Calvet sounded miserable as he made the admission. ‘You and I are finished, my friend. The world’s at peace and we’re useless now. We’re the hunting dogs, but rabbits rule the earth now.’"
This book can be read by itself, but you will miss the nuances of the war and of Sharpe’s career that Cornwell has so meticulously constructed. Bernard Cornwell became “famous” with this series and his skills at characterization and drama as well as his meticulous research into the armies, as well as the battles, are all on display in this volume.
When this book begins there may be a single battle left before the war comes to its end. As noted above, Sharpe feels his duty lies in staying with his troops and comrades “until the business is finished.” From this point, imagine the animated movie where the hero is hanging onto the cliff by his fingertips, suspended over the abyss, and the villain is removing those fingerholds one by one. The plotting is compelling, but Cornwell’s imagination is on full display as his dialogue reveals the nature and culture of the various characters. He is as adept in bringing the feel of the drawing room as he is with his descriptions of the battlefield.
I was doing a “double read” on this book, listening to some in the car and taking notes when I had my Kindle handy. Seeing the words on the page made me aware of the tremendous effort that went into this volume. But, hearing it from Frederick Davidson was a further delight as he brought a myriad of characters to life. It mattered not whether they were: young or old, sophisticated or simple; male or female; French, Italian, Scottish; Irish or English. Davidson made them all unique.
A delight!
(I plan to add some quotations that show Cornwell’s talents at description and the meticulous details of this period.)
On Battles and Enemies
"Sharpe suddenly wished he was back with the Prince of Wales’s Own Volunteers who, under their new Colonel, did not have to face this devil’s ridge of forts, trenches and guns. They would be safe, while Sharpe was foully aware of the symptoms of terror. He could feel his heart thumping, sweat was chill on his skin, and a muscle in his left thigh was twitching. His throat was parched, his belly felt hollow, and he wanted to vomit. He tried to smile, and sought for some casual words that would demonstrate his lack of fear, but he could think of nothing."
"‘Halt!’ The British did not press their charge home. There was no need, for the columns had fled in panic. ‘Dress ranks! Unfix bayonets! Skirmishers forward! Reload!’ Major-General Nairn looked down at his watch and noted that it had taken precisely three minutes and twenty seconds to break the French attack. In the past, he reflected, when more moustaches had filled the enemy ranks, it would have taken about six minutes longer."
"the true responsibility did not lie with Nairn, nor even with Wellington who commanded the battle from its northern flank, but with the ordinary soldier. It was the redcoat and greenjacket who had to march forward in the certain knowledge that the best artillery in Europe waited to decimate his ranks. A shilling, a third of a pint of rum and two pounds of twice baked bread each day were the wages for this moment, and in return they must march into hell and come out victors."
"‘Take the boys home, Richard!’ Nairn called. ‘Take them home!’ ‘Charge!’ Sharpe felt the rage rising, the unreasonable rage of battle, the anger that would only be slaked by victory. It was this same pride and rage that had made Taplow spur ahead of his men to certain death, and which had made Nairn lead his men into the cauldron that was the redoubt’s killing ground. ‘Charge!’"
"The attack, Sharpe decided, had gone beyond the ability of any one man to control it; now it was just a mass of maddened men released to battle, and so long as they could be kept moving forward, then so long was victory possible. Sharpe lost sense of time. The fear was gone, as it always seemed to vanish once the danger was present."
"Sharpe smiled. ‘No, General, there’ll be no more battles.’ ‘You’re right.’ Calvet sounded miserable as he made the admission. ‘You and I are finished, my friend. The world’s at peace and we’re useless now. We’re the hunting dogs, but rabbits rule the earth now.’"
February 9, 2023
Historical fiction that includes drama and romance set in the era of the Napoleonic Wars. Well-written and researched.
May 29, 2024
Дойде и моментът, да не харесам напълно книга от поредицата за приключенията на Шарп.
Не е по-зле написана или по-малко интересна от предходните, но не ми допадна как се развиха събитията в нея. Което не ги прави по-малко вероятни.
Шарп ще се бие на дуел с капитана на кораба, изоствил го във Франция по времето на "Обсадата на Шарп" и заради когото загинаха толкова много добри войници. Страх го е и има предчуствие, че ще умре. И решава, че ако оцелее, ще изпрати жена си в Англия, да им купи къща в провинцията, може би с мисъл за оставка и заслужена пенсия. Защото дните на Наполеон като император на Франция са преброени, това се усеща вече от всеки войник в британската армия. Дава на Джейн достъп до богатството плячкосано във Витория и c това полага началото на куп проблеми и предателства.
В това време Майор Дюко, неговият стар френски враг е намислил пъклен план, с който да си отмъсти жестоко на нищо неподозиращия Шарп. Той, заедно с капитан Фредериксон и сержант Харпър трябва още веднъж да се преборят и да изчистят репутацията си на английски офицери. И да намерят покой, ако това въобще е възможно!
Не е по-зле написана или по-малко интересна от предходните, но не ми допадна как се развиха събитията в нея. Което не ги прави по-малко вероятни.
Шарп ще се бие на дуел с капитана на кораба, изоствил го във Франция по времето на "Обсадата на Шарп" и заради когото загинаха толкова много добри войници. Страх го е и има предчуствие, че ще умре. И решава, че ако оцелее, ще изпрати жена си в Англия, да им купи къща в провинцията, може би с мисъл за оставка и заслужена пенсия. Защото дните на Наполеон като император на Франция са преброени, това се усеща вече от всеки войник в британската армия. Дава на Джейн достъп до богатството плячкосано във Витория и c това полага началото на куп проблеми и предателства.
В това време Майор Дюко, неговият стар френски враг е намислил пъклен план, с който да си отмъсти жестоко на нищо неподозиращия Шарп. Той, заедно с капитан Фредериксон и сержант Харпър трябва още веднъж да се преборят и да изчистят репутацията си на английски офицери. И да намерят покой, ако това въобще е възможно!
October 11, 2020
I am constantly talking about the "Sharpe formula" in my Sharpe reviews but have yet been able to create a formula for my Sharpe reviews.
Sharpe's Revenge number 19 in chorological order takes many past themes in the series. Namely the plot of Sharpe honor. the novel start with Sharpe fighting a duel (read that already). Then Sends his wife to England to make post war arrangements. The major battle is at the beginning which is a little different. The battle which is suppose to be the last of the war is as good as any in the series. But as peace begins in Europe, Trouble starts for Sharpe. he is framed and must clear his name (Read that already). wounded and must be healed back to health (read that already). His woman takes his money and leaves him for another man (read that already). Falls in love with a French woman (read that already). Pierre Ducos is the orchestrator of Sharpe's troubles (I've even read that already) Sharpe sets out with Harper and Fredrickson for revenge on Ducos (read that revenge on Ducos part before) must capture gold from his enemy (read it already) with the help of a old enemy (yeah you get it). Worst of all i was bored in the middle. Usually there is a lull in the middle of most sharpe books but they set up a big battle at the end. The ending was actually a little ridiculous. The side characters are always important in the series the fill formulaic roles like ally, villain, love interest, honorable enemy, and lesser roles friendly commanding officer and corrupt officer. the examples in Sharpe's revenge for the formulaic roles Fredrickson, Ducos, Lucille Castineau, Calvet, Narin and Rossendale are all weaker than past characters. The only real constant is Harper and Cornwell goes out of his way to let the reader know that this will probably the last time we see Harper. As he does to let the reader know the series is drawing to an end. although Cornwell has written in the series since Revenges publishing date. It's the third to last book in chronological order. kind of a buzz kill.
In a vacuum this would be a 3 star not bad read and good representation of the series. But of course I'm not reading it in a vacuum I'm reading it in chronological order and the truth is Sharpe's revenge fails in comparison to other entries.
Sharpe's Revenge number 19 in chorological order takes many past themes in the series. Namely the plot of Sharpe honor. the novel start with Sharpe fighting a duel (read that already). Then Sends his wife to England to make post war arrangements. The major battle is at the beginning which is a little different. The battle which is suppose to be the last of the war is as good as any in the series. But as peace begins in Europe, Trouble starts for Sharpe. he is framed and must clear his name (Read that already). wounded and must be healed back to health (read that already). His woman takes his money and leaves him for another man (read that already). Falls in love with a French woman (read that already). Pierre Ducos is the orchestrator of Sharpe's troubles (I've even read that already) Sharpe sets out with Harper and Fredrickson for revenge on Ducos (read that revenge on Ducos part before) must capture gold from his enemy (read it already) with the help of a old enemy (yeah you get it). Worst of all i was bored in the middle. Usually there is a lull in the middle of most sharpe books but they set up a big battle at the end. The ending was actually a little ridiculous. The side characters are always important in the series the fill formulaic roles like ally, villain, love interest, honorable enemy, and lesser roles friendly commanding officer and corrupt officer. the examples in Sharpe's revenge for the formulaic roles Fredrickson, Ducos, Lucille Castineau, Calvet, Narin and Rossendale are all weaker than past characters. The only real constant is Harper and Cornwell goes out of his way to let the reader know that this will probably the last time we see Harper. As he does to let the reader know the series is drawing to an end. although Cornwell has written in the series since Revenges publishing date. It's the third to last book in chronological order. kind of a buzz kill.
In a vacuum this would be a 3 star not bad read and good representation of the series. But of course I'm not reading it in a vacuum I'm reading it in chronological order and the truth is Sharpe's revenge fails in comparison to other entries.
August 9, 2019
Book 19 in the Richard Sharpe series.
The Peninsular War is nearing its end but things are not about to get any better Major Richard Sharpe, at least not in the short term. The taking of Toulouse still has to be achieved. This was a brutal encounter for both the British and the French armies with a great lose of life on both sides. As it turned out the loss of life was totally unnecessary as, unknown to the combatants, by the time the battle was fought Napoleon has surrendered to Wellington. Communications being what they were back in 1814 the battle was over before the news of the surrender reached Toulouse.
Just when Sharpe and his men thought that it was safe to put down their weapons Richard Sharpe is arrested and accused of stealing a fortune from none other than Napoleon himself. The French want the fortune back and the British just want the money for themselves. Things don’t look good for Sharpe who could, if found guilty, be cashiered out of the army. But Sharpe has a very good idea who is behind this, his nemesis Pierre Docos. So to clear his name Sharpe has to escape British custody and find Ducos.
To make matters worse Sharpe finds out that his wife, who has returned to London, has found herself another man and spending Sharpe’s money with a relish.
Nobody does this kind of stuff better than Bernard Cornwell this is a highly entertaining read.
Comes with a 4 star recommendation.
The Peninsular War is nearing its end but things are not about to get any better Major Richard Sharpe, at least not in the short term. The taking of Toulouse still has to be achieved. This was a brutal encounter for both the British and the French armies with a great lose of life on both sides. As it turned out the loss of life was totally unnecessary as, unknown to the combatants, by the time the battle was fought Napoleon has surrendered to Wellington. Communications being what they were back in 1814 the battle was over before the news of the surrender reached Toulouse.
Just when Sharpe and his men thought that it was safe to put down their weapons Richard Sharpe is arrested and accused of stealing a fortune from none other than Napoleon himself. The French want the fortune back and the British just want the money for themselves. Things don’t look good for Sharpe who could, if found guilty, be cashiered out of the army. But Sharpe has a very good idea who is behind this, his nemesis Pierre Docos. So to clear his name Sharpe has to escape British custody and find Ducos.
To make matters worse Sharpe finds out that his wife, who has returned to London, has found herself another man and spending Sharpe’s money with a relish.
Nobody does this kind of stuff better than Bernard Cornwell this is a highly entertaining read.
Comes with a 4 star recommendation.
January 22, 2024
Most of the Sharpe novels can be read as stand-alone adventures, but this one works much better if you read “Sharpe’s Siege” first. Events from that doomed mission behind enemy lines still play a great role in the military career of this unusual officer, risen from the ranks through his bravery and cunning but still viewed with suspicion by his peers.
The episode starts with a minor revenge against the naval officer who sabotaged the mission to conquer and defend a coastal fort near Bordeaux. The ensuing siege led to the unnecessary deaths of many of his troops, so Sharpe challenges this Bampfylde to a duel, against army regulations prohibiting grass before breakfast as the practice is known.
The opposition of his new wife Jane to the risking of his life and of his career for honour leads to the separation of the couple, with Jane going back to London. She also carries a letter of representation to the bank where Sharpe has deposited his considerable prize money, giving her full control.
... and that’s only the first chapter.
Things are about to get even more complicated for Sharpe, after a battle interlude where he serves as chief of staff for the British general leading the assault against Toulouse. This continues the trend of giving Richard Sharpe more tactical responsibilities instead of putting him in the middle of the hottest action on the battlefield, in line with his promotions in rank.
Yet the focus of the novel shifts with the negotiated peace of 1814: Napoleon is exiled to the island of Elba while Sharpe is put on trial by a French prosecutor for stealing Napoleon’s treasury from the same fort he defended in the previous episode (I told you the stories are closely linked).
This is a clever lie from Sharpe’s old enemy, Major Pierre Ducos, who has actually stolen the money, but our man Sharpe finds it hard to mount a defence, knowing he has stashed a considerable sum of money in London, from robbing the baggage train of a French army in a different episode.
Since all the evidence points to his guilt, Richard Sharpe must take extreme measures to defend his honour. With help from his second in command, Captain Frederickson, and from his always loyal Sergeant Harper, Sharpe organizes a daring escape from military arrest in Bordeaux and sets out across France in search of the witness who can clear his name.
Unfortunately, assassins sent by Ducos arrive before Sharpe at the farm in Normandy where the former commander of the fort has retreated, and his widowed sister shots and severely wounds Sharpe when he comes knocking.
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This is one of the better plotted instalments in the long running series. The focus on Sharpe and on his two companions, their personal quest against a cunning enemy is a welcome change from the books that were closely following historical battles in the Peninsular War (which were not bad in their own setting).
Politics were so very simple, the Cardinal thought, just so long as a man believed no one, double-crossed everyone, kept a full treasury, and inveigled others into doing the dirty work.
The chase after Pierre Ducos is long and twisted, and it will eventually lead to the Kingdom of Naples, where a corrupt cardinal has offered the French traitor asylum.
The final confrontation may be small scale after the big battles we read about in those earlier volumes, but it is as well handled as I have come to expect from Cornwell.
What was less expected here is the change of heart in Richard Sharpe’s romantic life: betrayed by his beloved Jane, who is in turn seduced by the glitter of London’s high society and by one of Sharpe’s former allies in government, our man finds consolation in the arms of the French woman who has just tried to kill him, to the despair of his friend Frederickson, who has also fallen in love with the same woman.
“How many damned women do you want?”
That’s actually a valid question for the whole series, seeing as the author has built up Sharpe’s reputation not only on the battlefield, but also in the bedrooms of almost every attractive woman he meets. Oh, well! here we go again!
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We know from historical records that Napoleon will stage a comeback and that more battles will follow. Sharpe, with his name finally cleared, is ready to take us to the next destination.
“But now we can fight. Our proper task in life, I fear. We’re not meant for peace, so to war, my friends.”
For myself, I hope this will be the year I will finish the series. I have been pacing myself, afraid of getting fed up with the hero worshipping of Richard Sharpe and with the biased portrait of the French adversaries in this war account, but I want to head off to other pastures, maybe the Hornblower books that are said to have inspired Cornwell in the first place.
This is the reason I have skipped Sharpe’s Command , the book published in 2023 that takes place earlier in the timeline than this one: I have tried from the start to read the books in chronological, not publication order.
October 3, 2021
Read this book in 2007, and its the 19th volume, chronologically, of the awesome Richard Sharpe series.
Set in the year AD 1814, and Major Richard Sharpe in the midst of the action in the Battle for Toulouse.
But when a consignment of Napoleon's treasure is stolen, Sharpe will find himself in a treacherous action him by his enemies close at home.
To clear his name against the damning evidence constructed against him he must trace those responsible and deal with them in the only way possible, so he can resume his duties within the British forces at Toulouse with a clear conscience and deal with the French.
Highly recommended, for this is a captivating addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Sharpe Revenge"!
Set in the year AD 1814, and Major Richard Sharpe in the midst of the action in the Battle for Toulouse.
But when a consignment of Napoleon's treasure is stolen, Sharpe will find himself in a treacherous action him by his enemies close at home.
To clear his name against the damning evidence constructed against him he must trace those responsible and deal with them in the only way possible, so he can resume his duties within the British forces at Toulouse with a clear conscience and deal with the French.
Highly recommended, for this is a captivating addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Sharpe Revenge"!
November 17, 2025
Another great novel about Sharpe, British rifleman in the Napoleonic conflicts. Bernard Cornwell has created a great hero and can tell a great story, adhering to the historical facts as closely as possible ( the man does his research!).
In this one, Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army, including Sharpe, has pushed into southwestern France in 1814. The end is near for Napoleon. There is one more battle to be fought... and that should do it. The surviving troops can go home ( or be shipped to America to fight in the ongoing War of 1812). Sharpe survives the bloody Battle of Toulouse, France, and learns that Napoleon has abdicated ---and that the war is over ( actually, due to the poor communications of the time, both sides fought the battle not knowing that Napoleon had already abdicated).
The war may have been over for most of the soldiers, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese and so on, but not for Sharpe. The war has only gotten personal, as an old enemy, Ducos, is attempting to have Sharpe framed for the heist of Napoleon's treasure! Sharpe has to find the sinister Frenchman to clear his name and his search will take him across France and into Italy...
I don't think there's a bad book in this series. And I felt this was one of the better ones!
In this one, Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army, including Sharpe, has pushed into southwestern France in 1814. The end is near for Napoleon. There is one more battle to be fought... and that should do it. The surviving troops can go home ( or be shipped to America to fight in the ongoing War of 1812). Sharpe survives the bloody Battle of Toulouse, France, and learns that Napoleon has abdicated ---and that the war is over ( actually, due to the poor communications of the time, both sides fought the battle not knowing that Napoleon had already abdicated).
The war may have been over for most of the soldiers, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese and so on, but not for Sharpe. The war has only gotten personal, as an old enemy, Ducos, is attempting to have Sharpe framed for the heist of Napoleon's treasure! Sharpe has to find the sinister Frenchman to clear his name and his search will take him across France and into Italy...
I don't think there's a bad book in this series. And I felt this was one of the better ones!
June 9, 2018
It is a wonder how Bernard Cornwell manages to write such an engaging narrative with a unique setting and original storyline after already delivering 18 wonderful pieces. Sharpe's Revenge sees the hero triumphant in war after the 1814 Battle of Toulouse but still manages to find himself in a heap of trouble having been accused of stealing the emperor's treasures. To prove his innocence, Sharpe finds himself having to travel deep into the territory of his former enemies in search of the true culprit.
Sharpe, with his age, has clearly evolved as a character since his days in India and Portugal. He has become less headstrong, wishing to retire to the country with his dear wife who has no doubt soothed his passions for war. But despite his new found wealth and reputation, which he has certainly earned after decades of hardship in the field of battle, he does not receive the respite he deserves. His personal life is falling apart with his wife betraying him while enjoying the fruits of his labour and he must simultaneously run from the army he has given most of his life to. In this book more than any other, the reader truly feels sympathy for Richard Sharpe while feeling the strongest degree of hatred for his enemies.
While I have tried to avoid reading this book so quickly due to the knowledge that the end of the series is soon approaching (2 books left), Cornwell's enchanting portrayal of the hero Sharpe and his triumphs makes it impossible to resist. Once again he delivers it all: adventure, humour, action, romance and so much more. I look forward to seeing where Sharpe goes next (though knowing the title of Book 20 I already have an idea).
Sharpe, with his age, has clearly evolved as a character since his days in India and Portugal. He has become less headstrong, wishing to retire to the country with his dear wife who has no doubt soothed his passions for war. But despite his new found wealth and reputation, which he has certainly earned after decades of hardship in the field of battle, he does not receive the respite he deserves. His personal life is falling apart with his wife betraying him while enjoying the fruits of his labour and he must simultaneously run from the army he has given most of his life to. In this book more than any other, the reader truly feels sympathy for Richard Sharpe while feeling the strongest degree of hatred for his enemies.
While I have tried to avoid reading this book so quickly due to the knowledge that the end of the series is soon approaching (2 books left), Cornwell's enchanting portrayal of the hero Sharpe and his triumphs makes it impossible to resist. Once again he delivers it all: adventure, humour, action, romance and so much more. I look forward to seeing where Sharpe goes next (though knowing the title of Book 20 I already have an idea).
November 8, 2022
Sharpe #19. Another re-read. The events take place in various locations of France in 1814.
After a battle at Toulouse, there is a reprieve from the long war. Napoleon is in hiding, and the allied forces are leaving France. That's not to say that this book is all about peacetime. There are many events occurring in this story, as a matter of fact.
For reasons I won't mention on purpose, Sharpe, Frederickson and Harper make their way further into France towards Normandy. Trust me when I say that they have excellent reasons for doing so. In the meantime, Sneaky Pete Pierre Ducos has his own agenda, and he's been a plotting fool against just about everyone. If you've read the series up to this point, you already know about his antipathy towards Sharpe. He concocts an elaborate scheme and frames Sharpe in the process.
I really missed the Riflemen in this. I love that battalion. But there didn't seem to be a way to involve them in the overall plot. At least Fredrickson and Harper were around. There was also Nairn and the Highlanders, and I've always been partial to them. And without naming a specific character, I wanted to smack that character right upside the head! What an ambitious, immature, shallow, stupid and disloyal twit. I'm very sure that I could think of more adjectives without trying too hard but those will have to suffice. Sharpe is much better off this way. I know because I've read the series before, so you'll just have to trust me about that as well.
Incidentally, there certainly is a lot of vengeance going on in this story, so the title is very apt!
After a battle at Toulouse, there is a reprieve from the long war. Napoleon is in hiding, and the allied forces are leaving France. That's not to say that this book is all about peacetime. There are many events occurring in this story, as a matter of fact.
For reasons I won't mention on purpose, Sharpe, Frederickson and Harper make their way further into France towards Normandy. Trust me when I say that they have excellent reasons for doing so. In the meantime, Sneaky Pete Pierre Ducos has his own agenda, and he's been a plotting fool against just about everyone. If you've read the series up to this point, you already know about his antipathy towards Sharpe. He concocts an elaborate scheme and frames Sharpe in the process.
I really missed the Riflemen in this. I love that battalion. But there didn't seem to be a way to involve them in the overall plot. At least Fredrickson and Harper were around. There was also Nairn and the Highlanders, and I've always been partial to them. And without naming a specific character, I wanted to smack that character right upside the head! What an ambitious, immature, shallow, stupid and disloyal twit. I'm very sure that I could think of more adjectives without trying too hard but those will have to suffice. Sharpe is much better off this way. I know because I've read the series before, so you'll just have to trust me about that as well.
Incidentally, there certainly is a lot of vengeance going on in this story, so the title is very apt!
February 12, 2022
After one final thrilling battle scene, the question of what becomes of Sharpe once the war in Spain and France is over takes centre stage and a new intrigue begins. The revenge tale feels a little repetitive from earlier tales where Sharpe has dealt with similar enemies, but overall, its still a compelling story and the characters are as engaging as ever.
April 1, 2023
Yet another great Sharpe book! It starts with one of the only major battles that Britain fought in France (a bloody but entirely useless one since Napoleon had already surrendered Paris by the time it was fought in Toulouse), and then goes off on its own fictional plot that I was skeptical of at first but which I came to absolutely adore. I did this one fully on audio, and Cornwell and his peerless narrator Rupert Farley had me laughing out loud continuously as I was walking on busy city streets.
The battle didn't offer as much suspense as most of the others in the series, and the book didn't really get cooking for me until the second half, so it's 3 stars for the first half and 5 for the last half for a 4 average -- though I was tempted to round up based on how engaged I was by the end. On to Waterloo!
The battle didn't offer as much suspense as most of the others in the series, and the book didn't really get cooking for me until the second half, so it's 3 stars for the first half and 5 for the last half for a 4 average -- though I was tempted to round up based on how engaged I was by the end. On to Waterloo!
September 19, 2012
So as not to spoil things, all I'll say about why I've rated this one so much lower is that I didn't like how a certain character developed. At all.
December 12, 2021
No 19 in the series. The book starts with the usual brutal description of a battle, this time of Toulouse. Shortly after the Emperor abdicates and peace is declared.
Sharpe starts to look at going home but of course he can't as his old foe Ducos has a cunning plan to blame Sharpe of stealing the Emperor's gold and jewels which Ducos himself has stolen.
It seems for a while that Sharpe has few friends and fewer options with the English, French and later the Italians all hunting for him.
There is quite a lot of the book about Sharpe's wife back in London and of Sharpe's mate Friederickson who is pining for a French lady which kind of slows the book down a bit.
At the end Sharpe rides off to his newest love and says tata to his two mates.
Sharpe starts to look at going home but of course he can't as his old foe Ducos has a cunning plan to blame Sharpe of stealing the Emperor's gold and jewels which Ducos himself has stolen.
It seems for a while that Sharpe has few friends and fewer options with the English, French and later the Italians all hunting for him.
There is quite a lot of the book about Sharpe's wife back in London and of Sharpe's mate Friederickson who is pining for a French lady which kind of slows the book down a bit.
At the end Sharpe rides off to his newest love and says tata to his two mates.
August 12, 2024
4.5 stars
October 8, 2009
The book opens with Sharpe fighting a duel ("grass before breakfast" in the jargon of the time) with Captain Bampfylde who, in the previous volume Sharpe's Siege, had taken his ship away leaving Sharpe to defend a fort that had been ruined.
The duel is followed by the battle for Toulouse which was fought days after Napoleon had abdicated. All of this is prologue to a plot by the hated and long time enemy of Sharpe, Pierre Ducos, to steal a large quantity of gold and have the theft blamed on Sharpe.
There are a number of sub-plots involving Sharpe's wife Jane, who has gone ahead to England to buy a house in Dorset, Captain Frederickson, who falls in love with a French woman, and General Calvet, who, remaining loyal to Napoleon, is charged with getting the gold back.
There are many twists and turns making this book one of the more interesting of the entire series. All ends well, as you might imagine, given there are two more books in the series.
I am so hooked on the Richard Sharpe stories that having only two left to read somehow depresses me. Very much how I felt when I finished the Aubrey/Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian.
The duel is followed by the battle for Toulouse which was fought days after Napoleon had abdicated. All of this is prologue to a plot by the hated and long time enemy of Sharpe, Pierre Ducos, to steal a large quantity of gold and have the theft blamed on Sharpe.
There are a number of sub-plots involving Sharpe's wife Jane, who has gone ahead to England to buy a house in Dorset, Captain Frederickson, who falls in love with a French woman, and General Calvet, who, remaining loyal to Napoleon, is charged with getting the gold back.
There are many twists and turns making this book one of the more interesting of the entire series. All ends well, as you might imagine, given there are two more books in the series.
I am so hooked on the Richard Sharpe stories that having only two left to read somehow depresses me. Very much how I felt when I finished the Aubrey/Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian.
June 12, 2009
Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels seem to get better as they go. The scene here is the Battle for Toulouse, which was actually fought after Napoleon had surrendered -- but French Marshal Soult, charged with defending the city, did not know or believe that to be the case. After the battle, one of Wellington's most hard-fought victories, Sharpe is blamed by one of his arch-enemies, Major Ducos, for stealing Napoleon's treasure. He makes a plausible case and points all the evidence Sharpe's way, while he himself decamps to Naples. But Sharpe is on the trail -- and he meets up with one of Napoleon's generals, Calvet, who like him had risen from the ranks. Calvet is one of Cornwell's most likable characters, but I'm not about to give away the ending of this action novel.
September 28, 2014
The first run of Cornwell's Sharpe novels continues to entertain. Unlike the author's late additions to the series in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these novels still have a good sense of adventure and characterisation - a soul, in short.
Revenge is a unique book in the series, in the sense that most of it concentrates on the Peace of 1814 when Napoleon has been exiled to Elba. Sharpe's main goal is to clear his name and search for his longtime enemy, but the story gives plenty of time to characterisation and especially to a character called Frederickson. The friendship and its development between the men is described wonderfully as the men share their dreams and fears of their lives after the war.
Overall, an enjoyable story and one of my favourites of the series.
Revenge is a unique book in the series, in the sense that most of it concentrates on the Peace of 1814 when Napoleon has been exiled to Elba. Sharpe's main goal is to clear his name and search for his longtime enemy, but the story gives plenty of time to characterisation and especially to a character called Frederickson. The friendship and its development between the men is described wonderfully as the men share their dreams and fears of their lives after the war.
Overall, an enjoyable story and one of my favourites of the series.
August 2, 2025
I'm reading these all out of order... Oh, well. The last one I read was set in India, at the beginning of Sharpe's adventures as a rifleman in the British army, while this book is set toward the end of the Napoleonic wars. I have no idea how Sharpe acquired a wife, or got promoted to Major, for that matter, tho' I can guess thanks to the author's adroit storytelling. Here, Sharpe finds himself ironically pursuing the enemy after peace is declared--and the Emperor's treasure chest has gone missing. The idea of Sharpe chumming up to the French so quickly struck me as a little improbable. Wasn't he just shooting the bastards, as they say?
May 14, 2018
No Wellington, no Greenjackets, no large battles - just Sharpe, Harper and Fredrickson droning on about women; plus several terrible passages were Jane takes front and center in the story. Love and heartbreak are fine b-plots but are not the reason people read these (or at least not the reason I do). Plus, distracting as it is, leaving Jane's story unresolved is a big disappointment, and the resolution with the main enemy - while definite - is less than satisfactory and far to reminiscent of the fate of Sharpe's former adversary Hakeswill.
May 25, 2022
Repeated problems? Yes. Repeated solutions? Yes. I gave this five stars for the beautiful farewell between two brothers after years of war. As for the other bits, Sharpe takes yet another career ending injury and while healing manages to seduce yet another woman…while being married to someone else. Sharpe was worried about his wife, but we did not get to see his internal struggle of sleeping with another woman like he did the last time he cheated on his wife. This time it kind of just happened.
I am not sold on Jane’s fall from Sharpe. One boat ride and a few weeks on her own does not a destruction of a happy and loving bride make. And in the past 3 novels Jane was the love of Sharpe’s life. Now its Lucille. No dust on Sharpe. Wounded or not, he is gonna knock someone up.
I am also greatly upset about the dissolution of Sharpe and Fredricksons relationship. It was awful and just a waste. Can Sharpe not have more than 1 friend? Also, the death of Nairn seemed totally unnecessary. Did it change Sharpe at all? No. Not even the death of his good friend, Hogan, in the previous novel hit him as hard as his affairs of the heart.
Anyhoo. On to the foreshadowed, Waterloo.
I am not sold on Jane’s fall from Sharpe. One boat ride and a few weeks on her own does not a destruction of a happy and loving bride make. And in the past 3 novels Jane was the love of Sharpe’s life. Now its Lucille. No dust on Sharpe. Wounded or not, he is gonna knock someone up.
I am also greatly upset about the dissolution of Sharpe and Fredricksons relationship. It was awful and just a waste. Can Sharpe not have more than 1 friend? Also, the death of Nairn seemed totally unnecessary. Did it change Sharpe at all? No. Not even the death of his good friend, Hogan, in the previous novel hit him as hard as his affairs of the heart.
Anyhoo. On to the foreshadowed, Waterloo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2018
3.5 stars, really )
I think in this book the plot stretches too far from reality similitude, it becomes a bit too complicated and overloaded with plot moving actions.
However, Cornwell keeps the overall level of language and depths of characters depiction, so the book does not fall far from the entire series.
Sharpe's wife Jane gets few pages of her own and their marriage, that seemed hasty and based on fantasy proves as such, which is an interesting and not entirely expected development. Still, the choices Sharpe makes at the end of the book fall squarely within the scope of his character.
I think in this book the plot stretches too far from reality similitude, it becomes a bit too complicated and overloaded with plot moving actions.
However, Cornwell keeps the overall level of language and depths of characters depiction, so the book does not fall far from the entire series.
Sharpe's wife Jane gets few pages of her own and their marriage, that seemed hasty and based on fantasy proves as such, which is an interesting and not entirely expected development. Still, the choices Sharpe makes at the end of the book fall squarely within the scope of his character.
November 11, 2021
This was not my favorite book of the Sharpe series. I think because there was so much intrigue and fewer battles. Don't get me wrong there was plenty of action, I just like it better when he portrays battles that really occurred. I am sad that there are only 3 books left in the series, but I am looking forward to discovering Sharpe's contribution to Waterloo.
March 1, 2022
This is quite different from the other Sharpes and arguably more clever. Without giving too much away, there's less fighting than usual but a strong storyline. The end of it also made me feel a little emotional but I can't give too much away.
Unfortunately, I'm just not sure it will stand out from the other books. It's not an instant classic but it is very good.
Unfortunately, I'm just not sure it will stand out from the other books. It's not an instant classic but it is very good.
April 10, 2022
[2.1 stars = it was ok, very likely won't read again]
The Sharpe series is good. This novel suffers from caricaturization of enemies, and the end, all the way around, while funny and interesting, just doesn't fit with either the characters or the real world. The beginning was not so bad though. Yet if I were to read the Sharpe series again, I would likely skip this one the second time.
The Sharpe series is good. This novel suffers from caricaturization of enemies, and the end, all the way around, while funny and interesting, just doesn't fit with either the characters or the real world. The beginning was not so bad though. Yet if I were to read the Sharpe series again, I would likely skip this one the second time.
January 25, 2024
Had its moments, but overall a bit of a slog.
Read
September 1, 2025Excellent
June 16, 2022
The actual battle of Toulouse (coming at the very start of the book) is more of an after-thought, somehow, with the main action found later. Feels more like one written to see out the end of the war than from real interest, but maybe I'm just in a funny mood. Worth reading for completeness, anyway.
May 21, 2018
Sharpe's Revenge was an average (pleasant, enjoyable) story for most of its length but took a surprisingly sad turn at the end that felt very true to the series and rescued it from becoming one of the more forgettable Sharpe adventures. The biggest hindrance to my enjoyment of this book was its similarity to the plot of Sharpe's Honor, beginning with a duel and proceeding through a false imprisonment which Sharpe must go rogue to clear his name. Unlike that book, here Sharpe had Patrick Harper and Sweet William Frederickson to keep him company and assist him throughout.
**Plot spoilers for the first quarter of the book**
The Peninsula War against Napoleon ends abruptly near the beginning of this book, leaving Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson to discuss how they want their post-war lives to play out. Shall they stay in the military? Retire? What of their wives and friendships? Before anything can be resolved, Sharpe and Frederickson and framed by his longtime enemy Pierre Ducos, he of the French intelligence. After the court-martial, Sharpe and Frederickson escape to clear their name, by tracking down the one Frenchman who can clear it. Upon their arrival, the man has been murdered and the two of them are framed for it. Harper of course tags along with the adventure, even though he has nothing to gain and everything to lose doing so.
Meanwhile, Sharpe also becomes paranoid that his wife Jane is taking advantage of him. When her letters become infrequent, he also notices she has withdrawn all his money from the bank with no explanation. Cornwell has a dual plotline with Jane explaining what takes place, and also introduces the French widow Lucille Castineau who has a significant impact on at least one of the English heroes.
More than any other book in the series, this book spotlights Sweet William Frederickson. Prior to this, he had been a bit of a cliche character; much like Dan Hagman (the old sharpshooter rifleman), William seemed to be present so that once a book Cornwell could write something about how William removed his eyepatch and false teeth to scare the enemies prior to going into battle. Make no mistake, we still get that in this book (twice by my count), but Cornwell also tells us much more about what sort of a man he is and where he is most vulnerable.
A few of the other characters in this book also do things that could substantially change our view of them. Sharpe himself acts all too true to his biggest weakness, but Jane also will likely surprise readers who have been following her since her first appearance. As far as villains go, I've never been a huge fan of Pierre Ducos whose created all of his own problems by continuing to go after Sharpe and never being successful. He'll always be a distant second to Obadiah Hakeswill, the worst of the worst Sharpe villains. There is another French general (Calvert) who was everything I like in an opposing officer. Instead of being evil, he is competent, zealous, and an even match for Sharpe.
There are only two Sharpe novels and a short story left, and the end of this book already feels like it could be a goodbye to several beloved characters. While there's no Duke of Wellington, Greencoats at war or new gear/rank added to Sharpe's repertoire, two major relationships for Sharpe are possibly ended and our characters will be starting out in fresh territory for the first time since they got out of Portugal/Spain. I'm as excited as ever to keep reading this series, but now that the end is in sight I'm also getting pretty sad about the thought of being finished with these adventures.
**Plot spoilers for the first quarter of the book**
The Peninsula War against Napoleon ends abruptly near the beginning of this book, leaving Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson to discuss how they want their post-war lives to play out. Shall they stay in the military? Retire? What of their wives and friendships? Before anything can be resolved, Sharpe and Frederickson and framed by his longtime enemy Pierre Ducos, he of the French intelligence. After the court-martial, Sharpe and Frederickson escape to clear their name, by tracking down the one Frenchman who can clear it. Upon their arrival, the man has been murdered and the two of them are framed for it. Harper of course tags along with the adventure, even though he has nothing to gain and everything to lose doing so.
Meanwhile, Sharpe also becomes paranoid that his wife Jane is taking advantage of him. When her letters become infrequent, he also notices she has withdrawn all his money from the bank with no explanation. Cornwell has a dual plotline with Jane explaining what takes place, and also introduces the French widow Lucille Castineau who has a significant impact on at least one of the English heroes.
More than any other book in the series, this book spotlights Sweet William Frederickson. Prior to this, he had been a bit of a cliche character; much like Dan Hagman (the old sharpshooter rifleman), William seemed to be present so that once a book Cornwell could write something about how William removed his eyepatch and false teeth to scare the enemies prior to going into battle. Make no mistake, we still get that in this book (twice by my count), but Cornwell also tells us much more about what sort of a man he is and where he is most vulnerable.
A few of the other characters in this book also do things that could substantially change our view of them. Sharpe himself acts all too true to his biggest weakness, but Jane also will likely surprise readers who have been following her since her first appearance. As far as villains go, I've never been a huge fan of Pierre Ducos whose created all of his own problems by continuing to go after Sharpe and never being successful. He'll always be a distant second to Obadiah Hakeswill, the worst of the worst Sharpe villains. There is another French general (Calvert) who was everything I like in an opposing officer. Instead of being evil, he is competent, zealous, and an even match for Sharpe.
There are only two Sharpe novels and a short story left, and the end of this book already feels like it could be a goodbye to several beloved characters. While there's no Duke of Wellington, Greencoats at war or new gear/rank added to Sharpe's repertoire, two major relationships for Sharpe are possibly ended and our characters will be starting out in fresh territory for the first time since they got out of Portugal/Spain. I'm as excited as ever to keep reading this series, but now that the end is in sight I'm also getting pretty sad about the thought of being finished with these adventures.
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