Sharpe's Enemy

Perhaps my favourite Sharpe, with a well described but quite fictional main battle piece. It's a bit redolent of the war-games table, but a fine fight. Obadiah Hawkeswill, gotta love ya!

15th in the Richard Sharpe series.

Although late in the chronological sequence, this book is one of the earliest that Cornwell wrote. Like any good writer, he learned and improved as he went along. Sharpe’s Enemy, however, does bear something of a burden from being one of the early ones, because as in one or two other early books, Cornwell has a bit of a difficult time getting the action off the ground smoothly.

However, the book suffers only from comparison with later ones that come earlier in the chronology. It’s still a whacking good action-adventure story, and Cornwell has no peer, now or then, in writing battle scenes.

Unlike all the other books that precede it, Sharpe’s Enemy is not based on a real battle. In his Historical show more Note, Cornwell explains that he wanted to write one story that would reflect the last winter before Wellington started his ultimately victorious march that would end up at Waterloo.

There are a few interesting historical facts. One is the introduction of Congreve’s Rocket System, somewhat earlier than actually occurred, but still sticking to historical fact as to their deployment. The other is that there did exist a band of deserters from all the major armies—British, French, Spanish, and Portuguese—that terrorized a large part of southern Spain.

What makes this book special is that Cornwell devotes just about 2/3 of the story to this fictitious defense of a fortified pass in southern Spain, Liberated from the necessities of following history as far as a battle is concerned, Cornwell, turns his truly impressive descriptive powers to an imaginary engagement in which Sharpe battles not only the French but his arch-enemy, Obadiah Hakeswell. The result is yet another fantastic installment in a terrific series.

Highly recommended. show less

One of the great ones, right up there with Sharpe's Fortress and Sharpe's Battle. Loved all the new characters, Nairn, Fredrickson, Dubreton, and really enjoyed every page of the story. Great seeing Sharpe in command of a Battalion - and playing defense for once. Oh, and Obadiah, I'll miss you, you bastard.

I found this Sharpe adventure with a rescue attempt, a Christmas challenge and exciting fighting an engaging read that kept me turning pages.

This was a pretty good book in that you see Sharpe thinking outside of the box in his new rank as Major. Obadia is there but I really don't think he added much to the story; I think the best story with Obadia was in Sharpe's Tiger which of course while the first of the series was written later. Obadia had an almost comical beginning and an ending which I suppose is satisfying on one level but sad on another...won't spoil things for you. I like the addition of new characters such as "Sweet William"

Interesting historical mystery— not my usual genre. Enjoyed the history and spy craft. Well narrated.

Liked the main character … eventually got “into” the plot.