May 07, 2001 10:59 AM
2051 Views
Sharpe’s Tiger is the book most devotees of the Sharpe series have been waiting for. Yet again we are treated to a magnificent far-reaching plot, this time set in the city states of India during the glory days of the East India Company. The year is 1799 and siege of Seringapatam is about to begin. The book opens with a marvellously well written battle scene describing a meeting engagement between the English troops and their Indian allies against the troops of the Tippoo of Mysore.
It is in the aftermath of this battle that we finally discover the foundations of Richard Sharpe’s and Obadiah Hakeswill’s relationship of mutual loathing which is something that has been missing from the other books in this series. As you read this book you will be exposed to the brualisation of ordinary men and the character of Richard Sharpe cannot escape this historical fact something less brave authors might have shied away from. As a result this book maintains the same quality of the rest in this series. An example of the injustice that went on during this time is amply demonstrated by the way Sharpe is set up for a fall by Hakeswill with the co-operation of his officer, Captain Morris who wants to make Sharpe’s woman his own mistress. Plot and sub-plot mesh seamlessly together to prevent the reader from putting down this book.
A must for any serious Sharpe fan or a good entry point for readers new to the series. Bernard Cornwell has once again proved with this book that his combination of meticulous historical research along with his sense of high adventure will always deliver the goods. The price for the hardback version is £16.99(sterling)however the paperback currently retails at £5.99(sterling)
