Love Cornwell. Haven't read any of his Sharpe novels, but I recently started watching the old BBC series, and you can tell Sharpe's definitely a Bernard Cornwell protagonist.
I read (actually listened to) them in chronological order, so I got to see Sergeant Harper's first meeting with Sharpe before I knew anything about him or knew he became a sidekick eventually. You'll love their first meeting.
I have always preferred Hornblower over Sharpe though. It might be because I grew up reading Hornblower but only discovered Sharpe as an adult. Hornblower comes from minor nobility and started out as a midshipman instead of coming up through the enlisted ranks like Sharpe. He's less of an archetypal warrior and more of a mathematical and creative problem solver. He constantly doubts himself, and it's interesting how it's written from third-person limited, so as the reader you get things mostly from his own perspective which is full of self-doubt, but then there are breadcrumbs dropped throughout that make you realize his men actually see him as a borderline demigod. Then a couple of the books are written from the perspective of his sidekick, Lieutenant Bush, and you get someone else's view of him which is also interesting.
Sharpe was directly modeled on Hornblower in a lot of ways so it would be interesting to hear what you think of the comparison if you read them both eventually.
I actually have not read any Hornblower even though they’ve been on my TBR forever. Might have to correct that. We’ll see if I like pub order, I think would usually read chronological.
I love these books, particularly as audiobooks. I listened to them all chronologically (in the story) and have since gone back to listen in publication order.
The series, Sharpe’s Rifles starring a young Sean Bean is great as well and my introduction to this world. It’s easily observed that the budget was limited, but the strength of the series are the interactions between the characters.
Love Cornwell. Haven't read any of his Sharpe novels, but I recently started watching the old BBC series, and you can tell Sharpe's definitely a Bernard Cornwell protagonist.
Is that with Sean Bean? I didn’t know it was BBC.
Very good review. Welcome to Sharpe’s world!
I read (actually listened to) them in chronological order, so I got to see Sergeant Harper's first meeting with Sharpe before I knew anything about him or knew he became a sidekick eventually. You'll love their first meeting.
I have always preferred Hornblower over Sharpe though. It might be because I grew up reading Hornblower but only discovered Sharpe as an adult. Hornblower comes from minor nobility and started out as a midshipman instead of coming up through the enlisted ranks like Sharpe. He's less of an archetypal warrior and more of a mathematical and creative problem solver. He constantly doubts himself, and it's interesting how it's written from third-person limited, so as the reader you get things mostly from his own perspective which is full of self-doubt, but then there are breadcrumbs dropped throughout that make you realize his men actually see him as a borderline demigod. Then a couple of the books are written from the perspective of his sidekick, Lieutenant Bush, and you get someone else's view of him which is also interesting.
Sharpe was directly modeled on Hornblower in a lot of ways so it would be interesting to hear what you think of the comparison if you read them both eventually.
I actually have not read any Hornblower even though they’ve been on my TBR forever. Might have to correct that. We’ll see if I like pub order, I think would usually read chronological.
Hornblower is one of my all time favorites. There was an A&E miniseries based on the first few books that was great too.
I always wanted to read Cornwell but have yet to make the time for him. This pushed it up the TBR pile.
It’ll be right up your alley tbh
I loved this series when I was in high school. Great read for teenage boys.
I love these books, particularly as audiobooks. I listened to them all chronologically (in the story) and have since gone back to listen in publication order.
The series, Sharpe’s Rifles starring a young Sean Bean is great as well and my introduction to this world. It’s easily observed that the budget was limited, but the strength of the series are the interactions between the characters.