obscurereads's review against another edition

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5.0

Classic Flashman. Brilliant as always and highly recommended.

adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition

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4.0

The Flashman Papers are one of my very guilty pleasures. The protagonist is a cowardly bully, he's bigoted, has no shame, and if he were a real person in 2021, he would be justly canceled faster than you can say the word. Fortunately he isn't real and his terrible qualities seem to be viewed with the proper attitude in Fraser's writing. The result is a character who is wildly entertaining to read mixed with historical events that are interesting to imagine. Fun!

Check them out of you haven't (with caveats).

frakalot's review against another edition

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4.0

Absolutely hilarious

smartipants8's review against another edition

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3.0

I have to agree with other reviewers that read like a serialization which made it a bit disjointed. Also he was a bit too noble for the flashman I have grown to love.

bibliophiliadk's review against another edition

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1.0

What bothered me to absolutely no end about this book was the all together unlikable character, Harry Flashman. Never before have I encountered a character I hated more. He's a coward, he's self centered and scared of everything that has the potential of ruining his life in the least. No, I will not be reading this book again. Ever.

sgalerosen's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

smartipants8's review against another edition

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3.0

I have to agree with other reviewers that read like a serialization which made it a bit disjointed. Also he was a bit too noble for the flashman I have grown to love.

smcleish's review against another edition

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4.0

Originally published on my blog here in January 2000.

The fourth Flashman novel tells of his involvement in the Crimean War, with the Charge of the Light Brigade as its centrepiece. Great play is made on the contrast between Tennyson's heroic poem and Flashman on the back cover ("Was there a man dismay'd? Yes, one - Flashman"). It is one of the most fun of the series, though it does have a darker side in the stupidity of the commanders at Balaclava and the Russian brutality towards their serfs.

evakristin's review against another edition

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4.0

This is one of the best Flashman books this far. It's a brilliant way to learn about obscure history, like the colonisation of Central Asia by Russia. The resistance of the Kirgizi and the Tajik people moved me, and the way they bought two more years of freedom was spectacular. Well done, Flashy!

One of the many things I like about this book, is how it introduces me to interesting historical people. And I have a suspicion we haven't seen the last of Ignatieff. Brrr.

tikaro's review against another edition

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4.0

Re-read. Still such great summer escape reading.