Book Review: Sharpe’s Trafalgar
Ever since I discovered the Richard Sharpe movies on PBS, I’ve wanted a Horatio Hornblower & Richard Sharpe crossover. I recently read Bernard Cornwall’s Sharpe’s Trafalgar, which is as close to a Sharpe/Hornblower crossover as Cornwall fans are likely to get.
In 1805, Ensign Richard Sharpe, recently promoted at the Battle of Assaye (in 1803) for saving General Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) and granted a battlefield commission, is leaving India and returning to England. Sharpe is not happy that he is obliged to return at his own expense, instead of having King George pay his way. Having killed Tippoo Sultan ( Tipu Sultan (born Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu, 20 November 1750–4 May 1799), also known as the Tipu Sahab or Tiger of Mysore) in a previous book, Sharpe has jewels in his possession which formerly belonged to Tipu Sultan. To the victor the spoils.
First, Sharpe refuses to be cheated. In not permitting himself to be cheated, he stops a British naval officer from being cheated. This man befriends Sharpe out of gratitude, and repays the favor with good advice. I suspect he’ll turn up in a later book.
Second, Sharpe lusts after another man’s wife. Lady Barbara Hale is very beautiful, and Sharpe is instantly smitten by her aristocratic grace and beauty. Any reader of the Richard Sharpe series will be unsurprised to learn Sharpe commits adultery a few chapters later.
Eventually, the ship he is on catches up with the British fleet at Cape Trafalgar and is caught up in the famous Battle of Trafalgar.
Admiral Lord Nelson does not survive the battle. Ensign Sharpe does. Sharpe always survives. It’s in his contract. It’s the only role where Sean Bean doesn’t die.
