Reviews for Flashman on the March
Review - Flashman on the March
Theodore, king of Abyssinia, has taken several Britishers hostage in his fortress at Magdala, and that just won’t do. An army force is sent under General Napier to recover the prisoners and show Theodore the error of his ways. Flashman, seeking to hide from the relatives of a young woman he dallied with, takes on the job of escorting a large amount of cash to Napier, who is already in Africa.
When Flashman arrives, he is sent, to his consternation, on a further task — encouraging Theodore’s rival, Queen Masteeat, to cooperate with the British. Flashman’s guide is the queen’s half-sister, Uliba-Wark. Their journey to Masteeat’s camp is fraught with dangers, but one way or another, Flashman manages to escape. When they get close, they are chased by the warriors of another local ruler. Flashman and Uliba-Wark jump in a canoe and are soon in danger of riding over some terribly high waterfall. In an attempt to save himself, Flashman abandons the girl. She manages to climb to safety while he is swept over the falls. He somehow lives and makes his way to Masteeat’s tent.
She agrees to his plan and immediately sends her army out to cover Theodore’s escape route. But that night Flashman is kidnapped by Uliba-Wark’s men and is about to be castrated. He is rescued by, of all people. Theodore and a band of his men.
Flashman is a well-treated prisoner of Theodore and is allowed to watch as Theodore massacres 300 political prisoners and then faces off against Napier. The British army wipes out Theodore’s army with little difficulty. Theodore commits suicide, but when Napier arrives and finds Flashman wounded nearby, he assumes that Flashman killed the king. Flashman once again, against his own wishes, is a hero.
The book was interesting, especially since most of the history was accurate apart from Flashman’s involvement. Fraser keeps you informed of the truth as opposed to Flashman’s version with frequent, clever footnotes. Flashman’s character is supposed to be a total rogue, and he certainly leans that way, but when all is said and done, he actually accomplished all he was sent to do in a competent and timely manner and so was a true hero at the same time. I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned quite a bit.
When Flashman arrives, he is sent, to his consternation, on a further task — encouraging Theodore’s rival, Queen Masteeat, to cooperate with the British. Flashman’s guide is the queen’s half-sister, Uliba-Wark. Their journey to Masteeat’s camp is fraught with dangers, but one way or another, Flashman manages to escape. When they get close, they are chased by the warriors of another local ruler. Flashman and Uliba-Wark jump in a canoe and are soon in danger of riding over some terribly high waterfall. In an attempt to save himself, Flashman abandons the girl. She manages to climb to safety while he is swept over the falls. He somehow lives and makes his way to Masteeat’s tent.
She agrees to his plan and immediately sends her army out to cover Theodore’s escape route. But that night Flashman is kidnapped by Uliba-Wark’s men and is about to be castrated. He is rescued by, of all people. Theodore and a band of his men.
Flashman is a well-treated prisoner of Theodore and is allowed to watch as Theodore massacres 300 political prisoners and then faces off against Napier. The British army wipes out Theodore’s army with little difficulty. Theodore commits suicide, but when Napier arrives and finds Flashman wounded nearby, he assumes that Flashman killed the king. Flashman once again, against his own wishes, is a hero.
The book was interesting, especially since most of the history was accurate apart from Flashman’s involvement. Fraser keeps you informed of the truth as opposed to Flashman’s version with frequent, clever footnotes. Flashman’s character is supposed to be a total rogue, and he certainly leans that way, but when all is said and done, he actually accomplished all he was sent to do in a competent and timely manner and so was a true hero at the same time. I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned quite a bit.
Reviewed by Roger on 2008-08-20 13:42:30