NationStates Jolt Archive

Does anyone here like the Sharpe books by Bernard Cornwell or the Sharpe TV series?

I think they're quite fun, but a bit samey. Cornwall doesn't really bother with trivialities like characterisation when he could be describing a huge Napoleonic battle instead, so Hogan, Wellesley, Harper, that sinister French guy (Ducos, I think), and even Sharpe are fairly thin as characters. The dialogue is fun (love those 19th century swearwords!), but if you've read one, (or seen one episode) you've pretty much read (or seen) them all. They are relaxing, though.

Bernard Cornwell? Isn't he the author of Rebel|Copperhead? If so, I read it, very good book.

BRILLIANT. Ive read all of his books, the Arthur series are the best though, about Arthurian Britain, however 2000BC isnt very good, Ive read it but its too long and just doesnt have enough to pull you in completely. Have you read his latest by the way? Its about Vikings, the title has escaped me though.

I didn't read any of the books. But I saw the series. Bloody brilliant.

I read a few of the books,but saw the whole series...its great!!. :)

The Hornblower series are great too.

I have read, the first few books in the Sharpe series, when Sharpe was in India. And I have read the first two books in the Holy Grail series. Great, great books! And I'm only 12 by the way!

The Hornblower series are great too.
I've seen all the Hornblower series too...I've got that new film Master and Commander,thats near enogh the same just a modern version....Yup, Hornblower..great!

It is true that the books are bit samey. How many times can you read about a French column being smashed over and over again in the same way. I dont really read for the big battles though, the best ones are the ones that revolve generally around Sharpe.
The TV series is good but alas it tries to be too impressive. Have you seen the big battle scenes in it? You'd think from those that the British army was only about 500 men instead of 50,000 it actually was.

It is true that the books are bit samey. How many times can you read about a French column being smashed over and over again in the same way. I dont really read for the big battles though, the best ones are the ones that revolve generally around Sharpe.
The TV series is good but alas it tries to be too impressive. Have you seen the big battle scenes in it? You'd think from those that the British army was only about 500 men instead of 50,000 it actually was.
I do see your point....the French columns triple in number always get beaten bad, and sharps always in the middle and olny gets a few cuts....but it makes for good reading/watching eh?!

It is true that the books are bit samey. How many times can you read about a French column being smashed over and over again in the same way. I dont really read for the big battles though, the best ones are the ones that revolve generally around Sharpe.
The TV series is good but alas it tries to be too impressive. Have you seen the big battle scenes in it? You'd think from those that the British army was only about 500 men instead of 50,000 it actually was.
The one in Spain? I thought that was only some 30,000. And aren't the scenes just about Sharpes unit?

yeah, there usually about the south Essex regiment, and sharps ow 95th rifles....thats right yeah?

Personally I prefer the Flashman chronicles.