George MacDonald Fraser
Paperback | Pages: 320 pages Rating: 4.27 | 2835 Users | 88 Reviews
Point Based On Books Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8)
| Title | : | Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8) |
| Author | : | George MacDonald Fraser |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 320 pages |
| Published | : | November 1st 1999 by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (first published 1985) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. Humor. Adventure |
Description Conducive To Books Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8)
As much as I love this series, I have to admit that by book 8, The Flashman Papers have settled down into a very comfortable formula: Flashy agrees to join an adventure in some exotic corner of the globe, the adventure turns out to be something other than what it first appeared (usually due to treachery), Flashy is taken prisoner, Flashy is assisted by some exotic woman with an enormous carnal appetite, Flashy falls out with the woman because one betrays the other, and finally Flashy is rescued by some other force and somehow comes out looking like a hero despite his best efforts to the contrary. In the previous installment, Flashman and the Redskins and in this one, this same formula is played out twice in the course of one novel.But putting that aside, this is still a damn fine adventure story, and still shows the meticulous research and attention to detail that is a hallmark of the series. This time, Flashy is adventuring in China and gets swept up in the events of the Taiping Rebellion and the Second Opium War. As is often the case in these books, in its pages I learned that this particular episode was far nastier and weirder than I recall from taking Modern History in high school. And again, as usual, Fraser makes historical personalities leap to life. Particularly memorable and interesting to me were his characterisations of Frederick Townsend Ward, Hong Xiuquan, and Yehonala (the future Empress Dowager Cixi), which left me wanting to read more about their historical counterparts.
Flashy is still the embarrassing old uncle who happens to tell the best tall tales. Solid stuff.
Itemize Books During Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8)
| Original Title: | Flashman and the Dragon (The Flashman Papers, #8) |
| ISBN: | 0006513034 (ISBN13: 9780006513032) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Flashman Papers #8, Flashman #10 |
| Characters: | Harry Paget Flashman |
Rating Based On Books Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8)
Ratings: 4.27 From 2835 Users | 88 ReviewsEvaluation Based On Books Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman Papers #8)
As much as I love this series, I have to admit that by book 8, The Flashman Papers have settled down into a very comfortable formula: Flashy agrees to join an adventure in some exotic corner of the globe, the adventure turns out to be something other than what it first appeared (usually due to treachery), Flashy is taken prisoner, Flashy is assisted by some exotic woman with an enormous carnal appetite, Flashy falls out with the woman because one betrays the other, and finally Flashy is rescuedThe more I read the Flashman series the more impressed I get and the more I wonder at the fact that George MacDonald Fraser didnt get a knighthood and an honorary degree for services to the understanding of English History during the Victorian Era. The mans a genius!Flashman and the Dragon is Flashmans China adventure covering the Taiping Rebellion (the greatest loss of life in any civil war and - I believe - second only to the Second World War) and the Second China (or Opium) War. The tale is
Very very interesting historical background. Certainly a great Flashman.
Once again the Flashman finds himself caught in the Victorian Imperial policies, this time in China. In the tail end Taiping Rebellion Harry Flashman is hoodwinked into the rebel camp by the lure of fast money in the opium trade. This was an audio listening experience, so it should be worth mentioning the greatness of the narrator, David Case, who is the perfect voice for the Flashman.
The first half of the book dragged for me, it was the same story all over again, which is one of the joys of the series, but this time seemed pedantic. But man, that ending the last third of the book I couldn't set it down and was cheering for our unscrupulous hero!
Not heard of this rebellion before. Interesting, Flashy as amoral as ever.
Flashman in the thick of things as usual, this time in China. A tour de force on the burning of the Summer Palace in Peking and the parties involved, none more debauched that dear ol' Flashy.
0 Comments