Yet by his own admission he has but three prime talents: “for horses, languages, and fornication.” Owing to his semi-aristocratic background and quick tongue, he ends up commissioned in the British Army and later the East India Company. Young Harry is expelled from Rugby at an early age, quite predictably in his parents’ view. Harry Flashman comes of age in Victorian England the historical events in the novels take place between roughly 18. He is as honest with himself as he is dishonest with others.įor those unfamiliar with the Flashman series, a bit of background. But Sir Harry is also a clear-eyed observer of the human condition and all its attendant folly. One might easily add: blackguard, bounder, poltroon, war deserter, drunk, and brothel-frequenter. Katz charitably describes the fictional Harry Flashman as an antihero, a true coward, a liar, and an addictive womanizer. Unfortunately, one seldom sees any reference to this enormously underrated set of historical novels. The Flashman Papers, a series of books written by the late George MacDonald Fraser, are a personal favorite. I was pleased recently to read an article by Ira Katz extolling the virtues of Sir Harry Flashman, V.C.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |