Flashman and the Dragon

Rating:
Summary: The finest historical fiction anywhere
Review: Another cracking good piece of historical fiction from Fraser: hilarious, well-researched, compelling. The rogue Flashman finds himself in China, 1860: running guns, meeting the Tien Wang during the Taiping rebellion, with Elgin on the road to Beijing and even brought as a prisoner before the emperor. An amazing book, as all the Flashman entries I've read have been. An erudite, bawdy adventure yarn, masterfully plotted. What's really impressive is how Fraser puts a human face on historical figures and events, giving concubines, princes and rebels distinct, believable personalities and motives. And he adds Flashman as an historical mover and shaker, to boot. Great stuff.

Rating:
Summary: The finest historical fiction anywhere
Review: Another cracking good piece of historical fiction from Fraser: hilarious, well-researched, compelling. The rogue Flashman finds himself in China, 1860: running guns, meeting the Tien Wang during the Taiping rebellion, with Elgin on the road to Beijing and even brought as a prisoner before the emperor. An amazing book, as all the Flashman entries I've read have been. An erudite, bawdy adventure yarn, masterfully plotted. What's really impressive is how Fraser puts a human face on historical figures and events, giving concubines, princes and rebels distinct, believable personalities and motives. And he adds Flashman as an historical mover and shaker, to boot. Great stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Flashman!
Review: FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it.

If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

Rating:
Summary: Classic Flashman!
Review: FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it.

If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I could barely put this book down from the time I opened it. Hilarious, interesting and entralling.

Not only did I get to learn about a part of history I previously had no knowledge of, but I got to laugh and laugh and laugh while doing it.

This is my second Flashman book and I cannot wait to complete the series.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I could barely put this book down from the time I opened it. Hilarious, interesting and entralling.

Not only did I get to learn about a part of history I previously had no knowledge of, but I got to laugh and laugh and laugh while doing it.

This is my second Flashman book and I cannot wait to complete the series.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant history
Review: Make no mistake, Flashy's still the spineless poltroon he always was, but for me the most interesting feature of this book is the way in which he has evolved into a more calculating coward. His bowels still turn to water at the merest hint of danger, yet he has honed his fiendish cunning and learned to wear the mask of cool calculation. Thus, when threatened with death, dismemberment, or exposure, he can present a collected front while all the while his mind is feverishly plotting an escape.

Let's just say he's learned tactics and no longer panics, soils himself and flees... He's learned to use his entirely undeserved heroic reputation to advantage instead of bolting from one horrendous situation to the next. Still lucky, he now modifies his chances through judicious posturing and careful shaving of the odds. A real treat to see him mature, if that is the correct word. Still a despicable cad, but one who has learned the art of survival with style, if not grace.

Amusing to see that even cads, bounders and cheats are suceptible to character development. Well done to Mr. Fraser for allowing Flashy to grow a little - and not improve one whit!

Rating:
Summary: Are some Flashman books better than others?
Review: Maybe. I don't care and you won't care. You'll be grateful for another one. This one. And if you are smart you'll be wondering what you're going to do with yourself when you finish the series. Join the club.

Rating:
Summary: The continuation of a winning formula
Review: The thing that sticks with me a fortnight after finishing this book is the wire jacket. Eurgh! It makes me squeam to think about it.
GMF adds another episode to the life of Harry Flashman that takes our (un?)fortunate (anti?)hero to China during the Taiping Revolution and the shenanigans at the Summer Palace. As always, Flashman sees history occuring onhand, and barely escapes with his life. He's a coward and he's a liar: he calls himself a monster and he is, but he's also a public hero and his Victorian counterparts can't prevent themselves lauding everything he does.
Don't know anything about the history? Don't let it put you off. In fact, it should encourage you to read this book. As much as I've enjoyed all the Flashman books, the greatest legacy they've left me has been a far greater understanding of 19th century history. Little facts are sprinkled in along the way, such as when the americans fight alongside the british for the first time in their history.
Without giving too much away, the plot is a bit straggly: we start with Harry getting mixed up with the Taipings, and then spending some time at the Summer Palace. To me it seemed like one short story and one novel spliced together, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
It wasn't the greatest in the Flashman series that I've read, but it was great fun and I would recommend it, although I'd suggest starting with the original "Flashman" as reading the books in order has added to the value I've gained from them.