Sharpe's Story by Bernard Cornwell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sharpe's Story
Book Review: A Small (115 pp.)Treasure...
Summary: 5 Stars
"SHARPE'S EAGLE wasn't written in a hurry. I had never written a book before and really had no idea how to go about it. Of course, I knew I needed a hero, but I never once sat down and tried to delineate him in my mind; instead I let him develop as I wrote the book."
- Bernard Cornwell (SHARPE'S STORY)
In this small book, Mr. Cornwell tells about his starting with only an idea for one book, his emigration from Belfast, Ireland to America with little money, and his decision to follow the love of his life, Judy, to live and write in a small apartment in New Jersey. What he wanted to write was one novel about a British soldier in Wellington's Army similar to C. S. Forester's sailor, Horatio Hornblower, in Nelson's Navy during the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
In SHARPE'S STORY, Cornwell gives the reader explanations of how he came to choose the names of his characters, which ones he liked the most (Obadiah Hakeswill, if you can believe that!), the ones he named after acquaintances and their children, information about the books' settings in Spain and Portugal, and why he continued to write about Wellington's Peninsular Campaign against Napoleon winding up with 21 novels and three books of shortstories about Rifleman Richard Sharpe. We also learn some tidbits of info about the TV series starring Sean Bean as Sharpe and Daragh O'Malley as sidekick Sgt. Patrick Harper. Finally, the last short segment concerns Cornwell's unhappy childhood growing up one of five adopted children in a very religious home. In this piece, entitled "Cakes and Ale," Cornwell informs us he included the essay "because [it] explains some of the murkier wellsprings from which Sharpe emerged."
This little book is not recommended for those who are unfamiliar with the Sharpe series. We who are fans of these books will enjoy reading about how Sharpe came to be and where the other main characters, both good and bad, entered into the novels. We can only hope that more of Sharpe's adventures will be forthcoming from the pen of Bernard Cornwell.
Book Review: A gift for a Sharpe series fan
Summary: 5 Stars
If a friend or family member is a Richard Sharpe fan of either/and books/films, this 100 page booklet is an ideal gift. Bernard Cornwell traces his history with Sharpe, "a rogue on our side", adding fascinating details on every page. Details, like hair color, villains, heroines, etc, will satisfy followers of this series, or pique the interest of new fans.
Plus, the author shares some insights into his own unusual life story, such his Peculiars family life and his search for his biological "tribe."
Book Review: Background for one of the Epic Heros in Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
Sharpe is a hero in the Grandest of traditions. It is great to get the back-story to the series and the author' personal observations. A worthwhile read for any fan of SharpeBook Review: Behind the scenes of the Sharpe books
Summary: 4 Stars
This books is just as it presents itself to be: the story of the writing of the Sharpe adventures. So it's a treat for us fans of Sharpe. We get to know both Sharpe and Cornwell at bit better.
One insight I picked up from Cornwall here is his observation that a historical story must have two stories: a small story [the personal story of the main character] and a big story [the historical epic], and the trick for the writer is to keep the small story in front of the big one. This explains why I was disappointed with Sharpe's Trafalgar, Sharpe's Waterloo and Sharpe's Devil. In all three, the focus is on Sharpe fighting the battle. There is no small story. Sharpie needs a personal villain with whom to battle. It says so in the scriptures.
This book also put my fears to rest that Cornwell might be getting tired of Sharpe. It's also a comfort to know that Sharpe and Harper will march again.
Book Review: Great for Sharpe fan's
Summary: 4 Stars
If you love Sharpe you'll love this book. Lots of interseting little tidbits and very easy to read or just dip into.