Customer Reviews

Flashman and the Dragon

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To say that this book makes history come alive will probably put off all potential readers, but really, I mean it in the best possible sense. As a novel, it's OK, although the plot's a mess. It's the historical bits that are fascinating - someone wrote that late 19th-century China attracted the largest ever group of eccentrics and scoundrels, and they are all here!

Who is weirdest? - the cello-playing English general who later inspires an aria by Gilbert and Sullivan? the mercenary soldier from the American Deep South who defects to fight for the Chinese Taiping Christian rebels? the evil Empress Tzu Hsi, later known as Old Buddha? Even more fascinating (and moving) is the description of Lord Elgin ("Son of Marbles")'s expedition to enforce the Sino-British treaties. The author has researched this thoroughly, and much of the detail comes from the narratives of H B Loch, one of Elgin's assistants. The descriptions of Chinese torture and the gruesome results may be found in Loch's "Personal Narrative of Lord Elgin's Second Embassy to China" - do whatever you can to find a copy of this, it's worth it!

The great thing about this story is that the excellent historical notes allow you to make up your mind about the rights and wrongs of the whole affair. This book really ought to be included in Amazon.com's listing for "Taiping Rebellion" - it's certainly more engaging and readable than Jonathan Spence's tedious "God's Chinese Son".

FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it.

If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

Make no mistake, Flashy's still the spineless poltroon he always was, but for me the most interesting feature of this book is the way in which he has evolved into a more calculating coward. His bowels still turn to water at the merest hint of danger, yet he has honed his fiendish cunning and learned to wear the mask of cool calculation. Thus, when threatened with death, dismemberment, or exposure, he can present a collected front while all the while his mind is feverishly plotting an escape.

Let's just say he's learned tactics and no longer panics, soils himself and flees... He's learned to use his entirely undeserved heroic reputation to advantage instead of bolting from one horrendous situation to the next. Still lucky, he now modifies his chances through judicious posturing and careful shaving of the odds. A real treat to see him mature, if that is the correct word. Still a despicable cad, but one who has learned the art of survival with style, if not grace.

Amusing to see that even cads, bounders and cheats are suceptible to character development. Well done to Mr. Fraser for allowing Flashy to grow a little - and not improve one whit!

Maybe. I don't care and you won't care. You'll be grateful for another one. This one. And if you are smart you'll be wondering what you're going to do with yourself when you finish the series. Join the club.

After reading Hornblower and Bolitho, I thought I would give the army a try. Fraser is an excellent teller of historical fiction with a touch of Jeffery Deaver for fun! Quite graphic in his portrayls of the characters and events, Flashman delves into the whys and not just the hows.
Yes, Flashman is a roque, but if given the chance - wouldn't we all?

-Flashman and the Dragon- is set in China during the Taiping Rebellion of 1860. As with other Flashman stories, there is much historical truth, liberally peppered with Fraser's witicisms and Flash's typcial bawdy and cowardly behaviour. The story line draged a bit about 2/3 of the way through (I thought the diversion from the march to Peiking was a bit overdone), but true to form, Flashman finishes strong. A very fun read.

I could barely put this book down from the time I opened it. Hilarious, interesting and entralling.

Not only did I get to learn about a part of history I previously had no knowledge of, but I got to laugh and laugh and laugh while doing it.

This is my second Flashman book and I cannot wait to complete the series.

Another cracking good piece of historical fiction from Fraser: hilarious, well-researched, compelling. The rogue Flashman finds himself in China, 1860: running guns, meeting the Tien Wang during the Taiping rebellion, with Elgin on the road to Beijing and even brought as a prisoner before the emperor. An amazing book, as all the Flashman entries I've read have been. An erudite, bawdy adventure yarn, masterfully plotted. What's really impressive is how Fraser puts a human face on historical figures and events, giving concubines, princes and rebels distinct, believable personalities and motives. And he adds Flashman as an historical mover and shaker, to boot. Great stuff.

Tricked into making what he perceives as easy money on an opium run, Flashman finds himself in the thick of the Taiping Rebellion. Once again Fraser takes a major event in history and plants his anti-hero right in the midst of it. A fascinating account of the development of the rebellion and its eventual defeat is the core of this book and Fraser does a great job of explaining the events and the principles making this a particularly satisfying Flashman adventure. The cast of characters are true eccentrics in many cases and make for humorous and exciting reading. This is one of the stronger Flashman novels I have read and maintains a nice balance of history and adventure.

Typically fantastic Flashman novel- hilarious, politically incorrect, unpredictable, historically informative, and a page-turning, ripping great read. The only thing you know for sure is that our yellow-bellied anti-hero will end up with the girl, the medals, the credit and the loot. As usual, we learn about a historically significant, but generally forgotten chapter of history- the Taiping Rebellion (bloodiest civil war in history and second bloodiest war ever, after WW II) and the Anglo-French expedition to Peking, resulting in the destruction of the Old Summer Palace, one of mankind's most impressive artistic/architectural treasures. Great book.