Customer Reviews

Flashman at the Charge: From the Flashman Papers, 1854-55 (Flashman 07)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is unfortunate that you really can't pick up one of these Flashman novels without seeing the words, "bawdy," or "sexy," or "lusty," emblazoned all over the cover. It's done, of course, to help sell the books, but I can't help wondering sometimes whether more discerning readers skip over these titles in the mistaken belief that these novels are nothing more than fleshy potboilers. If this is the case, they are missing what is truly one of the great feats of historical romantic fiction in this century.

The premise of these novels is that the "Flashman Papers" were discovered in a Leicestershire attic in 1965. In them, the English soldier and adventurer, Harry Flashman, recounts his adventures throughout the British Empire during the latter half of the nineteenth century. They are helpfully "notated" by the "editor," George MacDonald Fraser, who occasionally comments upon the authenticity of Flashman's recollections. And what do you know! Flashman just happens to have been present at just about every single major military event in English history of these times! Lucky us!

In this one, Flashman recounts his experiences leading up to and at the famous Charge of the Light Brigade in the Russian Crimea in 1854. He is subsequently captured by the Russians, escapes, is captured again, escapes again, and with the help of Tajiks and Kazhaks, battles the Russians and makes his way to British-controlled India. Believe me, this is just as fun as it sounds, but what takes it to the highest, most delightful level is the sheer narrative force of Fraser's Flashman, unquestionably one of the most enjoyable narrators ever created.

As well as being reliable and honest--qualities a reader hopes at the very least to get in a first person narrative--he is also extremely intelligent, witty, funny, and very, very opinionated. Thus, in describing the Russian peasantry, we don't get a carefully-worded, afraid-to-offend, cautious assessment, we get this: ". . . this dull clown was just standing and letting himself be caned by a fellow half his size, hardly even wincing under the blows. There was a little crowd of serfs looking on, ugly, dirty-looking rascals in hairy blue smocks and rough trousers, with their women and a few ragged brats--and they were just watching, like cowed, stupid brutes." You may wince at his less than diplomatic commentary, but you may be sure you are getting the truth unvarnished, told as only the indefatigable Flashy can do.

These novels are also historically accurate, and meticulously researched even to the tiniest detail. From the lay of the land on a battlefield, to a description of the Russian steppes; from the uniforms worn by various regiments of various armies, to the weapons and ordnance available to each; from the subtle nuances inherent in the languages he encounters in central Asia, to the slang routinely used by Englishmen; it is clear that Mr. Fraser has a unique and thorough understanding of England and the British Empire in the nineteenth century. In fact, it is impossible to believe that there might be another living human being who knows more. The reader gets the sense that he is in the hands of a master; there is nothing here which strains credibility.

In fact, Mr. Fraser has us so firmly in his stead that the romantic elements strewn liberally throughout these novels barely raise an eyebrow. Thus, the scenes when Flashman is chased by wolves over the snowy steppe in a rickety sleigh, or thrown into a dungeon and threatened with the vilest torture, come across as believable and exciting, rather than foolish or cartoonish. And yes, yes, there are dalliances with beautiful women, but what kind of an adventure/romance would this be without them?

In short, the Flashman novels provide everything the lover historical fiction dreams of: exciting and historically accurate plots, careful attention to detail, a thorough knowledge of the subject matter, and, perhaps most importantly, a witty and delightful guide to show us the way. Bravo, Mr. Fraser. Bravo.

To those who have never heard of Flashman, please go look up the book "Flashman" and buy it. If historical fiction is your cup of tea, you'll be hooked. In this entry: Flash signs on to munitions duty as the Crimean War begins to heat up, never suspecting that one day he will unwillingly take part in Colin Campbell's stand (The Thin Red Line) and Scarlett's charge uphill of the Heavy Brigade, not to mention the infamous charge of the Light Brigade... And then be captured, become an unwilling spy and resistance fighter, and of course bed a Russian noble's beautiful daughter... All in a day's work for old Flashy, of course, who would rather be at home. I have little to say about this entry into the Flashman series other than it offers up more of the same, and three cheers for it, and too bad there's not even more of it. Flashy's still a rogue, bluffing his way through horrors, rogering his way into the confidences of the enemy, and sniveling his way out of danger. The facts that Fraser re-creates historical characters and events with a scholar's eye for detail and a great novelist's flair for the story, that Flashman is neatly and unerringly made to be the impetus behind historical events, and the whole exciting yarn is awash in a heady dose of sly wit and knowing parody, all go without saying: this is Fraser, after all, the best historical novelist of all.

Too bad they didn't have frequent flier miles in Flashy's day; this Flashman adventure starts in London and sees the character halfway around the world to India, with stops in the Crimea and the Russian heartland. As one would expect, its a story global in scope and as usual for the series, quite true to history. Disparate topics such as the treatment of Russian serfs and the Afghan rebel leaders are woven well into the tale.

Another reviewer hits on the only problem in this book: the number of locales strains against the bonds of credulity. Flashman, dispatched to fight in the Crimean War, is basically involved in an entirely different story by the end of the book. I really would've liked to see a little more of the Charge of the Light Brigade and less of Russia.

But Fraser does such a great job of painting these historical scenes and Flashy is just so entertaining, that I can't give this book any less than 4 1/2 stars. Since Amazon doesn't offer that feature, there's really no problem in rounding up to 5.

After reading "Flash for Freedom," with its nauseous blatant racism expressed through Flashman's perspective, I began to wonder why I was drawn to the series. Even in the Spanish picaresque novels, rogues tend to mature in their skullduggery. But I already had "Flashman at the Charge" in the exercycle pile, so I plunged in. I'm glad I did. This is the most successful episode yet, in terms of skillful plotting and literary devlopment. Why, it's so well written that I'm sure some Flash fanciers will be disappointed. It also spews most of Flashman's bile on Russians and British army officers, two subspecies of Homo sapiens that I have no investment in. The big surprise, however, is that our Harry at last seems to be affected by experience. Several times in the book, he reveals admiration for the noble and contempt for the ignoble. He actually admits to feeling an emotion close to friendship for two other men and honest intimidation in the face of a powerful woman. And he acknowledges sympathy, sneeringly of course, for the suffering of others! What's all this coming to? Is Flashman gonna yield to the temptation to do something honorable!?! I guess I'll have to read the next book to find out.

Not only great humongous fun to read, thanks to this book I managed to boggle several acquintances in Sofia, Bulgaria. They can't understand how an Indonesian could know such detail about Count Ignatieff (a street in Sofia was named after him), especially that wonderful gem about his eyes. Loved all the stuff about the charge. What wonderful history lesson! I've read nearly all the Flashman series, and I dread the day when the well dries up. Please Mr. Fraser, keep 'em coming!

In this fourth packet of the Flashman Papers, our man Flash finds himself in the thick of the Crimean War, including the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Flash endures the regettable Lord Haw-Haw, the Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge (although Lord Raglan deserves at least some of the blame for that fiasco). The reader is introduced to William Howard Russell, the famous Times of London who invented modern war reporting (the generals didn't like having a reporter around then either).

Harry also spends some not altogether unpleasant time in captivity in Russia - although a near encounter with the Russian knout leaves him with severe dyspepsia. Later Flash escapes, but ends up in in a Russian dungeon with Central Asian chieftain Yakub Beg and the warrior Izzat Kutebar. Rescued by Beg's people, Flashy shows some shocking signs of acting entirely honorably and contrary to his self-interest, but his odd behavior is soon explained.

If you are unfamiliar with the Flashman series, each book is a packet from the supposedly historical Flashman Papers. Flashman is a character of fictional history twice over, first in 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' published in 1857 and now in the George MacDonald Fraser's rediscovery. Fraser makes Flashman not only a cad, but also a reluctant and serial war hero. If you ever start to think Flashman has turned over a new leaf, just keep reading. If this kind of thing interests you I do suggest that you start with the first book in the series, 'Flashman', although each book stands on its own.

The Flashman series weave historical detail together with spell-binding stories told with frequent hilarity. Highly recommended for fans of British historical fiction or a good ribald tale of any kind.

G. M. Fraser's Harry Flashman is a brilliant vehicle for examining Victorian social mores and military history. For the uninitiated, let me explain that Flashman, a rake, craven soldier, and toad-eater, survives and prospers-not without difficulties, mind you-while innocents and idealists are stomped beneath the boot of history.

This is my fourth Flashman novel. While the others-FLASHMAN, ROYAL FLASH, and FLASH FOR FREEDOM!-were exceptional, FLASHMAN AT THE CHARGE offers, word for word, more of Fraser's amazing action writing. YOU ARE THERE at the Battle of Balaclava (the Crimean War for you Yanks) as a petrified Flash holds his ground behind the Thin Red Line and participates reluctantly in Scarlett's Charge and the Charge of the Light Brigade. There are also sensational action sequences as Flash, a prisoner of war, escapes from Russia and supervises the bombardment in the bloody battle at Fort Raim. These spellbinding action sequences go on for thousands of words and their emotional power, in my opinion, exceeds that of any adventure movie.

This time, Flash is in mid-career and is an experienced man of the world. Occasionally, this Flash, a realist with a poetic bent, speaks completely in character and provides wonderful descriptions and insights. These are another great pleasure in this terrific novel. Here, for example, is Flash describing the Russian landscape (page 121 of my Plume edition):

"I've seen big countries before-the American plains on the old wagon-trails west of St. Louis, with the whispering grasses waving away and away to the very edge of the world, or the Saskatchewan prairies in grasshopper time, dun and empty under the biggest sky on earth. But Russia is bigger: there is no sky, only empty space overhead and no horizon, only a distant haze and endless miles of sun-scorched rank grass and emptiness. The few miserable hamlets, each with its rickety church, only seemed to emphasize the loneliness of that huge plain, imprisoning by its very emptiness...It appalled me as we rolled along."

The most surprising thing about this installment of adventures of Harry Flashman (most famous officer, gentleman (well, quite doubtfully) and hero (well, not exactly) of Victorian England) set in Russia, that it is not even popular there, it is absolutely unknown. The Crimean War, together with serfdom, is quite an embarrassment for the Russians and George MacDonald Fraser spares none of his literary talents describing the 'beauty' and 'excitement' of Russian life in the middle of 19 century. Well, Flashman definitely enjoys certain aspects of it (you can easily imagine which ones). What catapults him into the Land of Tsars was, first of all, the Crimean War (which he skillfully tried to avoid but as usual getting himself into the pickle) and, as it happened, an unfortunate Charge of the Light Brigade, where he earns hard a status of a POW through his yet again outstanding cowardice. His life on the estate in a beautifully described southern rural Russia (or Ukraine to be precise) turns into yet another amorous affair with a beautiful daughter of a Cossack noble (with another surprise there too, mind you). Such fabulous captivity is abruptly interrupted by this foul Russian institution -serfdom- which catapults him into another adventure now in Central Asia (which was fighting not to be Russian at that time) where Flashy meets East again with more shocks and surprises for a reader (and Flashman). Prepare yourself for a Russian steambath, eavesdrop on the enemy's secrets after a passionate date and think how to make your sled lighter when you are on the run with a beauty because the chase is on and Cossacks are on the way!

If you don't enjoy a chuckle when you read this you are not a man. Which brings me to point one: these books are not for women... The humor is completely unacceptable in modern, ``right on'' society, but I suspect GMF doesn't care much about that. These books are hilarious and GMF knows how to set up a gag better than anyone else. He is a brilliant researcher/historian and you will learn alot about Victorian history in the middle of a lot of naughty laughs.

Ha! A terrific book! For those who have read other Flashman books, nothing needs to be said beyond "Flashy strikes again!". For the rest, you're missing something. Where else (in your reading)can you have a rip-roaring good time, yet be encouraged to learn more about the (ludicrous) Crimean War and the Russian expansion into Central Asia? And how Flashman survives the charge of the Light Brigade...