Sharpe's Company
1812,Siege of Badajoz.
Published: 10 May 1982
ISBN 0-00-222131-4 (Hardback edition)
ISBN 0-00-616573-7 (Paperback edition)
A Great Read
Sharpe's Company is last of the original Richard Sharpe trilogy of novels to be completed, with the same high standard as Sharpe's Eagle, and surpassingSharpe's gold by some distance.
In the book we see the natural unfairness inherent in the British army and class system as a whole at that time. Things go from bad to worse for Captain Sharpe as he is marginalised and sidelined and as they get worse you get taken on the emotional journey of frustration, and anger at the natural injustices that befall him. Bernard Cornwell manages to take us to place where we fell angry both with and for Sharpe.
Patrick Harper and the other sympathetic characters in the South Essex are characterized and come out in this book more so perhaps than any others, and probably because the scene in which this book is set is the regiment, it is not so much the company, Spain or the war, or event the breach Badajoz, it is the regiment.
The plot is not as fast paced or intricate as other such books in the series, and though events in the book are moving at pace the plot is grinding slowly towards its conclusion, this steady pace of progress is actually what drives the book and gives it is feel.
Synopsis
In Sharpe's Company due to the serious injuries to Sharpe's friend Colonel Lawford, Sharpe's career is put in the balance. His nemesisObadiah Hakeswill appears from england, he looses his platoon, and Hakeswill bullies Sharpe's riflemen and threatens his woman.Regimental politics force Sharpe to one side, and it is not until the Siege of Badajoz, until Sharpe gets the opportunity to redeem himself, regain his position, protect his riflemen and defend his Woman.
Sharpe's Company - Main Characters
Captain Richard Sharpe "On no Hamlett was no Irishman, he was a fool" - Captain Hogan
Sergeant Patrick Harper
Obadiah Hakeswill
Teresa Moreno
Major Michael Hogan
Sharpe Books
Wise Words
