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Sharpe's
Fortress |
| It is 1803,
and closing on the retreating Mahrattas in western India is Sir Arthur Wellesley's army
and with it Ensign Richard Sharpe, newly commissioned but wishing he had stayed a
sergeant. Spurned by his new regiment, he is sent to the army's baggage train and there finds corruption, romance, treason and enemies old and new, including the murderous Sergeant Hakeswill who has powerful friends while Sharpe's only ally is an orphaned Arab boy. And waiting with the cornered Mahrattas is another enemy, the renegade Englishman William Dodd, who envisages a glorious triumph, for the Mahrattas have taken refuge in Gawilghur, India's greatest stronghold, perched high on cliffs above the Deccan Plain. He who rules in Gawighur, it is said, rules India, and Dodd knows th at the fortress is impregnable, but it is here that Sharpe must face his enemies ... Sharpe's Fortress is the best of the Cornwell's novels chronicling our hero's adventures in India, but it still lacks the character development of the books set in the Peninsula campaign. Hakeswill never appeared to be much of a threat and was unecessary as a foil for Sharpe since Dodd, a much more interesting foe, was present. The idea that the fortress actually existed and was attacked by Scottish and Sepoy troops makes the novel all the more fascinating and exciting. All in all, a fun and quick read and a welcome addition to the series.
Reviews "Sharpe's Fortress is the best of the Cornwell's novels chronicling our hero's adventures in India, but it still lacks the character development of the books set in the Peninsula campaign. Hakeswill never appeared to be much of a threat and was unecessary as a foil for Sharpe since Dodd, a much more interesting foe, was present. The idea that the fortress actually existed and was attacked by Scottish and Sepoy troops makes the novel all the more fascinating and exciting. All in all, a fun and quick read and a welcome addition to the series. "
"Concluding the trilogy of stories detailing Sharpe's adventures in India, Sharpe's Fortress is an unrivalled masterpiece. As the previous book, Sharpe's Triumph saw the insidious Dodd escape from Sharpe, Fortress continues Sharpe's hunt for the renegade Englishman as he follows him from the battle of Arguam to the cliff-top fortress of Gawilghur. I continue to find the Sharpe novels extremely enjoyable, proof that Sharpe can never really die-off as a character. Another Cornwell classic for many reasons including the re-appearance of the treacherous sergeant Hakeswill who continues to make 'Sharpie's' life hell. "
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Buy
the book online in... |
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Hardcover - 301 pages ( 1
March, 1999) HarperCollins
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Paperback
- 301 pages ( 1 November, 1999) HarperCollins
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Audio
Cassette (December 1999) Chivers Audio Books
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Buy the book online in...
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Hardcover (November 2000)
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Audio Cassette unabridged edition (December
1999)
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(USA)