Sharpe's Escape

Book X of the Sharpe Series

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1810, and in Napoleon's determination to conquer Portugal, and push the British back to the sea, he sends his largest army yet across the Spanish frontier. But between the Portuguese border and Napoleon's seemingly certain victory are two obstacles; a wasted land, stripped of food by Wellington's orders, and Captain Richard Sharpe.

But Sharpe is in trouble. The captain of the Light Company is threatened from inside and out: first by an incompetent British officer, who by virtue of family connections is temporarily given Sharpe's command. An even greater danger is posed by two corrupt Portuguese brothers, Major Ferreira, a high-ranking officer in the army of Portugal, and his brother, nicknamed "Ferragus" (after a legendary Portuguese giant), who prefer to rule by crude physical strength and pure intimidation. Together the brothers have developed a devious plot to ingratiate themselves with the French invaders who are threatening to become Portugal's new rulers.

Sharpe's interference in the first stage of their plan earns the undying enmity of the brothers. Ferragus vows revenge and plots a merciless trap that seems certain to kill Sharpe and his intimates. As the city of Coimbra is burned and pillaged, Sharpe and his companions plot a daring escape, ensuring that Ferragus will follow on toward Lisbon, into the jaws of a snare laid by Wellington that is meant to be a daring and ingenious last stand against the invaders. There, beneath the British guns, Sharpe is reunited with his shattered but grateful company, and meets his enemies in a thrilling and decisive fight.

Don't forget to check out the rest of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series.

Don't miss the rest of Bernard Cornwell's literary masterpieces.

©2004 Bernard Cornwell (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Another thrilling adventure." (Booklist)
"With fully fleshed-out characters and keen human insight, Cornwell just keeps getting better." (Publishers Weekly)
"Adroitly capturing character, Patrick Tull sounds like a grizzled, gin-soaked foot soldier who saw it all firsthand and who enjoys nothing more than telling war stories." (AudioFile)

Sharpe's Escape

Another great story from Bernard Cornwell. This one has lots of battle scenes and great descriptions of the Portuguese country side. No wonder the people of the conquered countries hated the French with their destruction of cities and rape of women and children. But I assume all conquering armies act the same. This book revealed the more stubborn side of Sharpe and his brilliance as a soldier. Patrick Tull does a great job narrating this book.

One of my favorite Sharpe books.

Would you listen to Sharpe's Escape again? Why?

This is the second time I have listened to this book and could do it again. There is humor along with the horror and history made accessible to the lazy [me]. All the Sharpe books are fascinating and have induced me to read pure history books about this time and especially the career of the Duke of Wellington.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the moments of humor in the midst of disaster.

Have you listened to any of Patrick Tull’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Patrick Tull narrates the Master and Commander series by O'Brian and I love his narration. He and Frederick Davidson are the Sharpe narrators I will listen to. Otherwise I read the book. Patrick Tull is the greatest!

wonderful!

Even after the 10th book in the series, I am still captivated and transported into the battle for Portugal with the British fighting the French.

Outstanding

I read the books 20 years ago and have been binge listening to the audiobooks. Not sure why the narrator had a negative review. Patrick Tull is excellent and did the Master and Commander series as well. To be sure the narrator in the earlier books was excellent and I was used to him but Tull is also excellent. I’m going on to the next one. Can’t stop!

I love these books

The narrator was different than the other Sharpe’s books I have listened to. I didn’t listen like him at first , but he grew on me. This book was longer than other books of this series, but I enjoyed it a lot. Cornwell is my favorite author!

Please Bring Back Frederick Davidson!!

This being my first opportunity to hear Mr. Tull as a reader, in my opinion, Frederick Davidson is much superior for this particular series. Mr. Frederickson style denotes a sense of the true rogue, which is what Richard Sharpe's character is all about, while, Mr. Tull's style, while worthy; seems almost bland and unclear by comparison. Is he is eating a banana while reading? It seems so at times. I started then stopped listening to this book several times before I could finally bring myself to complete it. I would recommend any first time listeners of the Sharpes Series to listen to Mr. Davidson's rendition first, then Tull's as a last resort. The story itself is classic Sharpe. Enough said.

Tull's narration

There are currently 2 primary narrators for the Sharp series, Davidson and Gaminara. Although I strongly prefer Davidson's characterization of Sharp's personality, Gaminara is different but a similar character comes through. For some obscure reason, P. Tull is the only narrator for Book X. Tull totally loses the character, slurs his presentation and makes all characters sound like old men who are simply incoherent. I really cannot follow the story and would suggest skipping Book X rather than suffering through Tull's presentation. It is only Cornwell's wonderful writing that keeps me listening to this book.

Too Much Vulgarity

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It seems like Cornwell's works get progressively more vulgar and blasphemous. The Religious slurs and filthy language may be part of most soldiers' lives, but all of it does not have to be expressed. I found it very distracting from the story. The story would be improved greatly by just toning it down.

Was Sharpe's Escape worth the listening time?

Debatable. There were some new challenges for Sharpe that were unique (like finding the draining by the cellar of a building to escape. But the abundance of the vulgarity, almost had me turning it off for good, and saying good-bye to Mr. Sharpe.

No historical note!!!! Not Unabridged.

I hate it when they don’t include the historical note. I bought this version since a comment for the other version said it was missing the historical note. Well this one is too. Audible should at least provide it as a pdf.

narrator ruins another book

all Sharpe books rate a 4 or 5 * review based on the book. but the narrator of these books continues to frustrate with his odd and stupid choices. he continues to make Sharpe and other characters sound like 85 year old men. and the narrator seem incapable of pronouncing a final "s" but consistent says "sh" instead. Luis is pronounced "loo eesh". Cazadores is "cazadoresh". and oh my God, the Lines of Torres Vedras some how became the lines of " Toresh Verdsh". the main antagonist is Feragus, but depending on where he is in the book the narrator pronounces it "Fergus" or "furagus" or "furagoose" or "fairagus" or "fairagoose" or "fairagoosh" - it is like he is deliberately trying to ruin the book.