Sharpe's Tiger

I'd read Patrick O'Brian before, and was hoping this series would be comparable. Surprise, I loved this first book, a great introduction to Richard Sharpe, a private in Britain's army in India at the close of the 18th century. Bernard Cornwell serves up a delightful yarn, weaving accurate, detailed historical details - of clothing, armaments, foods, army life, as well as real characters, like the future Duke of Wellington - with colorful fictional heroes and villains, intrigue, derring-do, desperate gambits, and exhilarating battles. I could not put the book down. Once it was finished, I had to go get the next in the series, and the next, and the next after that. I've now finished all 20 some of the books, and insofar as I'm concerned, show more it was time well spent reading them all. Dick Sharpe is your irresistible, lovable rogue. Constantly beset by corrupt, venal adversaries and enemies, he goes on fighting Britain's wars in India, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and even France, while facing his own foibles, fears, prejudices, and ambitions. He does all this the only way he knows how - with his whole heart and soul, and yes, honor - even if he was nothing but a thief at the start of this long, thrilling adventure. show less

One of the better Sharpe novels. The research by the writer shows in the best way. The descriptions of the Tipoo Sultan and his city add a lot to the flavour of the book.

While it is improbably that Sharpe could be involved in so many key events relating to the siege of Seringapatam, that's taken as read for a military hero, so one accepts it as a given and enjoys the story.

Excellent description of the siege. And a well-written female character (well-written by Cornwell's standards. Some of his women are very stereotypical)

One of the things I've always liked about Cornwell's writing is that the people Sharpe is fighting are never displayed as one-sided bad guys. The Tipoo is portrayed as a brave man and a ruler who made sure not to show more offend his Hindu subjects (he was a Muslim). show less

Declaring this a DNF. I like the idea of the series, and I especially enjoyed imagining Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe, but as a reading experience the book reminded me of quicksand. I felt smothered by the details and the plodding pace. Unfortunately I had this experience with another book in the series as well, so this is probably a series that I should not try again.

I decided to start at the beginning of this lengthy historical fiction series and I'm glad I did. I expected I would probably like Sharpe's Tiger, but I ended up liking it even more than I had hoped I would. Enough that I have already picked up the first four books in the series in hardcover. That should say something right there. The main character of Richard Sharpe hit all the important points for a series protagonist - smart, resourceful, good looking. He is protective when he can be and ruthless when he needs to be. But he isn't cliché. Some have likened him to an 1800s James Bond. A actually see him more closely resembling a Jack Reacher. Just as effective are the surrounding characters who are nuanced and every bit a part of the show more story as the protagonist. Cornwell's storytelling is very well done and his attention to detail regarding getting the history to integrate with the plot is exceptional. He even details the where he departed from the actual history in the notes at the end of the book. Sharpe's Tiger is an all-around great story and I'm really looking forward to the series. show less

Set in 1799 in India during the Myesore invasion, Richard Sharpe is a private in the British army. He is given a mission by the commander. Sharpe and a lieutenant pose as deserters to infiltrate the Tippoo Sultan’s stronghold and bring back intelligence for the upcoming battle of Seringapatam.

This is a prequel to the Sharpe series. It introduces the reader to Sharpe’s personality and sets up one of his main opponents, Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill. The characters are easy to picture and are drawn in detail. The battle scenes are beautifully rendered. It contains a pleasing mix of characterization and action. Tigers are involved.

Cornwell adheres to the historic record. He informs the reader of the liberties he has taken in the Afterword, show more but they are few and they make sense. I have read and enjoyed other books by Cornwell, but this is my first about Sharpe. It is a great starting point and I look forward to reading more of the series. show less

Set in 1799 in India during the Myesore invasion, Richard Sharpe is a private in the British army. He is given a mission by the commander. Sharpe and a lieutenant pose as deserters to infiltrate the Tippoo Sultan’s stronghold and bring back intelligence for the upcoming battle of Seringapatam.

This is a prequel to the Sharpe series. It introduces the reader to Sharpe’s personality and sets up one of his main opponents, Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill. The characters are easy to picture and are drawn in detail. The battle scenes are beautifully rendered. It contains a pleasing mix of characterization and action. Tigers are involved.

Cornwell adheres to the historic record. He informs the reader of the liberties he has taken in the Afterword, show more but they are few and they make sense. I have read and enjoyed other books by Cornwell, but this is my first about Sharpe. It is a great starting point and I look forward to reading more of the series. show less

spell binding narration.
First novel in the Sharpe's series and I am totally hooked to it.
Sharpe is an orphan whose is a thief turned into a private in the East India company. He is resourceful, ambitious, ruthless, naive and kind-hearted too.

The seige of Seringapatnam is vividly described. Great deal of research is done on the architecture, ammunition, social mores, and life style of the people during the days of Tipoo sultan.

what I liked about the book is the balance in judgement. Cornwell, unlike G.A Henty (who was the author of The Tiger of Mysore) doesn't disparage Tipoo sultan. Opinion in India is divided about how tolerant a ruler Tipoo was ... but everyone agree he is a fearless and a superb military strategist.

Must read for show more historical fiction lovers show less