Sharpe's Trafalgar

Richard Sharpe partakes in Sea Battles, 1805

***

These land and sea books are beginning to meld into one massive narrative, in my mind. Here we have Ensign Richard Sharpe, attempting to return to England from India, accidentally becoming entangled in nautical adventures, including meeting the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson and participating in the fierce action of the defining naval battle of the Napoleonic Era.

Such violence! Such mind-numbing action! Drive two cannon-laden ships up, park them next to each other, literally within touching distance, and empty your broadsides. Repeat. And repeat. And repeat. Then boarding action and the chaotic swirl of death and dismemberment becomes up close and personal. It is stunning to read about, and horrific to contemplate.

No Sergeant Hakeswill to worry about in this book. Sharpe has fed him to tigers, had an angry elephant nearly crush him, and shoved the odious man into a cobra pit in past books. I am firmly convinced the ne'er-do-well is still out there, somewhere.

This was a wonderful read, and another fast one. Can't wait to return to Aubrey-Maturin, then return to Sharpe. I like these characters and this time period. Excellent books, all.