Customer Reviews

Flashman and the Tiger (The Flashman Papers)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Any Flashy is better than almost anything else in historical fiction (and Flashy at his best is beyond that category). But this is the weakest of the lot. If you're new to Flashy, start w/ either "Flashman" or "Flashman at the Charge." After those two, you'll be so hooked that you'll overlook the inadequacies of this offering. And to branch out, read Fraser's war memoir, "Quartered Safe Out Here." It's the story of the young Fraser fighting in WWII in Burma w/ the Brits under Gen'l Slim. It is terrific. And, in the meantime, for an American reader (and we buy more of these books than the rest of the English speaking world combined) where is the U.S. Civil War one, which has been referenced repeatedly in earlier Flashmans?

Rogue, coward, lecher, egotist, scoundrel: There was never such a colorful and outrageous character as Harry Flashman in literature (real life, now, that's another story!). The newest of the cult favorite Flashman Victorian historical novels is cause for celebration: as before, the irrepressible George MacDonald Fraser has `discovered' and `edited' Flashman's reminisces of three of his astounding, wild, and wench-filled adventures: a rematch against Flashman's nemesis Otto Bismarck (from one of the best of the Flashman novels, `Royal Flash,' itself a wicked parody of `The Prisoner of Zenda'), a gambling scandal involving (more deeply than history tells us) the Prince of Wales, and the one Fraser's fans have been waiting for: the long-promised encounter with Colonel `Tiger' Moran that casts a very different light on a certain arrogant Victorian detective and his toadying medical assistant.

Copious historical color and personalities mix Flashman in with the real-life persons and events of the time (and Fraser's always witty, thorough footnotes point out just exactly what was going on in history at the time). I learn more from every Flashman novel about history and war than I ever did from a textbook, and it's from a man whose point of view I can't help but admire: a coward who knows how to take credit where credit isn't due, to never pass up a chance for an amorous interlude, and that the best way to stay alive is to be miles away when the shooting starts.

Why four stars then, instead of five? The format--three novellas--is atypical for a Flashman adventure, and one that in my opinion made the book seem more like leftover pieces of Fraser's work than his intricate, elaborate full novels. For me, Flashy doesn't quite work as well in a shorter form: Fraser is a master of a long and involved historical adventure that builds and builds until it detonates into its cataclysmic conclusion, leaving no one unscathed except for Flashman, triumphant again. Even though we get three Flashman adventures, it paradoxically didn't seem enough. Flashman is larger than life and twice as lecherous; there's enough material in his history (and more important, Fraser's got the talent) to give us three different novels here.

If you're new to Flashman, try another of the Fraser books first ("Royal Flash" is always a good start), and come back to this later. Still, there's more than enough fun and roguery here to satisfy all but the most finicky Flashman fanatics, and even a slightly lesser Flash is head and shoulders above the rest. Even though Flashman would know much better than to stick up his head--unless they're passing out the booze, of course...

It's extraordinary that American fans of modern literature's greatest poltroon (no, there's no translation of this word in today's English) are prepared to wait a whole year between the UK and US releases of their antihero's unfolding saga - especially in the age of the internet.

For those of you new to Fraser's creation, you can read the reviews of the other titles in the series. Enough to say they're a brilliant and unique mix of history, action and comedy.

This volume breaks with the tradition by presenting three short stories (rather than a single novel-length episode). The format suits the character particularly well. Each of the three stands alone, yet each also links to the other stories in the series. One describes the great Boer War skirmish of Rourke's Drift, with a surprise guest star from the Wild West. Another delves into the intricacies of late 19th Century politics, with French journalist spies, courtesans, and an early plot to assassinate Emperor Franz Josef (our hero naturally delaying an early start to WW I here).

Yet the undisputed star of the trio tells of Flashman's encounter with the other semi-mythical character of the era - Sherlock Holmes. The irony here is entrancing, as the two literary figures have so much in common - not least occupying worlds so superbly crafted you almost want to believe in them - and yet are polar opposites in temperament. The wit is glittering; the attention to historical detail is breathtaking; and the reader, as ever, is left wishing that the encounter had lasted just a little longer.

This is not the best Flashman to read if you're new to the character; but absolutely unmissable if you're already hooked.

You cannot believe the excitement that gripped me when I heard that another Flashman Paper was coming out. I snapped up a hardback copy as soon as it bacame available. Fraser/Flashman contantly name-drops throughout the Flashman papers with the result that there are numourous future episodes keenly awaited by all Flashman devotees (Zulu & Civil wars to name but two). This batch of three stories were written as well as ever, fast paced, great character build-ups and thoroughly enjoyable adventure yarns. It seems harsh to criticise but this volume pales in comparison to its magnificent predecessors hence the low score. If I had not read the others it would have fared better. As metioned above they were, as ever, fantastic tales, it was especially nice to catch up with the Bismarck and Von Starnberg characters a la Royal Flash. I agree with another reviewer that the last story of the three did leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth I won't give anything away. The last two stories being the weakest of the entire Flashman series. In conclusion whatever anyone tells you if you've read the other Flashman books you will read and enjoy this one too. If you are a Flashman virgin (you won't be for long) definitley try to read them in their proper order leaving this effort until last. I just hope it's not the last.

I was very pleased to see another Flashman book in print - Flashy is certainly my choice for historical fiction! The current offering consists of three smaller adventures. The first concerns Flashman's involvement with the Congress of Berlin and a subsequent attempt to assassinate Franz-Joseph. I think this is the best of the three stories - it shows us an older Flashman, but one who is still true to his nature. And it does pick up some of the threads from "Royal Flash".

The second tale concerns Flashman's involvement in the Tranby Croft scandal with the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII). This one is pretty slow moving, but I enjoyed it because of the involvement of Elspeth, who is often reduced to a minor character in Flashy's adventures.

I really do not like the last story. It seems to be forced - tying up a loose end from "Flash for Freedom" and with a cameo appearance of a distinguished detective. The brief description of Isandlwhana and Rorke's Drift is ok, but I would really like to see a longer treatment of Flashman in the Zulu war. Or Flashman in the U.S. Civil War. Or preferably both :-)

This is probably not a good first book for those who have not read previous volumes of the Flashman Papers. I recommend reading the first five books in order before tackling any of the others.

Like any other Flashman fanatic I'd been looking forward with great anticipation to this newest installment. My enthusiasm, though, was tempered with a little apprehension: it has been five years since the last Flashman novel, Angel of the Lord, and that one showed unmistakable signs of fraying around the edges.

Sadly, the pattern continues with this one. Oh, it's still a great read, and on numerous occasions I found the familiar grin coming to my face at Flashman's irreverant witticisms, but unfortunately, they don't come as often as they once did. The plot seems a little tired also: Flashman's entanglement in the first packet's escapade is recycled completely from Royal Flash, even to the villian being the son of Royal Flash's Rudy Starnberg. And worst, God help me for saying so, the expository narrative at the beginning of the first packet was--dare I say it--a little tedious.

But the fraying, unmistakable as it may be, is slight. Flashman is still Flashman after all, and the murderous plot against Franz-Joseph, culminating in a couple of wildly exciting sword fights--which take place in an old salt mine no less--are as entertaining as anything in the entire series.

The second two packets are also a lot of fun, but very, very short. Indeed disappointingly so, and one wonders if we'll ever get the chance to find out how Flashman did end up in South Africa in 1890. Mr. Fraser is not getting any younger you know. In summary, this is a good read, although not among the best, (the "best" being every single one of the first nine), and any Flashman fan will find great enjoyment in it.

It seems that this would be the appropriate time to comment on the series in general, which is the finest historical fiction series that I have ever come across. And so you know, I have come across some great ones: Hornblower, Dumas, and Aubrey-Maturin, to name a few. If you are reading this and have any interest at all in fiction or history (and you must, or you wouldn't be reading this), and haven't yet read these Flashman books, I urge you to do so. Start with the first one. You will be hooked irrevocably, and I assure you that you will devour the rest of them in short order.

Perhaps one day we shall meet each other in a tavern somewhere, and perhaps during the course of our conversation the name Flashman will come up. We will immediately grin at each other in recognition, knowing that we share the secret, unfettered, unmitigated joy of these brilliant, delightful novels. Thank you Mr. Fraser. Thank you.

The Flashman books are always fun to read and this is no exception, but it is definitely not one of his best. I will at least say that this one is less self-consciously "full of good research" than some of them where the facts get in the way of the story (or perhaps it is more that Fraser does not wear his knowledge lightly).

The main story about a plot against Franz-Josef's life really does hark back to Royal Flash, which I think is a real weakness. I found the whole plot rather far fetched even by Flashy's usual standards and why von Starnberg failed to kill him is really unbelievable. I do like his musings on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but I felt that Hungarians surely were a bit happier after the establishment of the Dual Monarchy in 1866 so the reason for the plot seemed a little obscure to me. In short it was a bit of a rerun.

The cheating at cards affair is really a little dull and only filler.

The last story has the best bit about his adventures in the Zulu War, but I for one was disappointed that Fraser has now effectively ruined his chances of actually writing a good full-length Zulu Flashman which stood every chance of being a really good one. The Sherlock Holmes bit is marvellous vintage stuff, but very short and over soon.

So for fans it will be fun, but not for first time readers.

George MacDonald Fraser relates a selection of Flashman's adventures. Rather than containing the standard book-length story that follows a single theme, Flashman and the Tiger is a collection of three distinct stories. As usual, there are references to the rest of Flashman's colorful career, historical context and, of course, the period setting and society is brought to life.

The Flashman series is a great work of historical fiction. George MacDonald Fraser always uses Flashman to tell a great story. Integrating fictional characters and situations with thoroughly researched historical facts. A kind of "Boy's Own Adventures" for grown ups and history buffs.

Flashman, the central character, is a kind of antihero, bringing a cynical, and in many ways modern, sensibility to the world of the 1900's. A self-confessed cad and coward, he often seems the most humane and reasonable character in the situations he gets himself involved in.

In this collection, Flashman finds himself part of a political crisis, escaping from one of Britain's most notorious military defeats in Africa, immersed in a social scandal involving the Prince of Wales and a game of cards, and even meets Sherlock Holmes.

This is an excellent book and essential reading for any Flashman fan. My rating of just 4 stars is not meant to imply any criticism, but is more of an indication of personal preference for the longer Flashman stories that, to my mind, really highlight the wonderful writing and story telling ability of George MacDonald Fraser.

Not GMF's best but even so it's a terrific read. The Flashy series is one of the most brilliantly concieved and consistently entertaining literary series going. I'll take 'em over Patrick O'Brian any day.

But if you haven't read a Flashman, don't start with this book. It's best to read the first one first; after that, take your pick.

This is book in the 11th Flashman series, and in it, Fraser offers a new look at the (mis)adventures of Sir Harry Flashman, a "celebrated Victorian soldier, scoundrel, amorist, and self-confessed poltroon." Unlike the previous books, it collects three unrelated stories of varied length in one volume. The first is a 228 page episode which starts with Flashman aiding and abetting some journalistic espionage at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. It ends with him once again hanging on for dear life while tangled in the weblike machinations of his old foe Otto von Bismark and an assassination attempt on old Emperor Franz-Joseph. It takes rather a long time to set up and indeed flags at the beginning, but by the end, where reversals pile atop eachother, it's worthy of any Flashman tale. The second tale explains a Victorian gambling scandal, and is reasonably diverting, if not action-packed. The final story places Flashman in the midst of the 1879 Zulu uprising and has him surviving the legendary battle at Roarke's Drift and then moves forward 15 years to London and a hilarious meeting with Sherlock Holmes. Unlike others, I think these stories make a good introduction to the series for the initiated.