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Book Review: Sharpe’s Revenge by Bernard Cornwell

Major Richard Sharpe, a great British soldier, seems to have bad terms with his beautiful second wife, Jane, over the duelling with Captain Bampfylde. Duelling is against the law and Sharpe has bruised the buttocks of Bampfylde, who in the previous Novel (Sharpe’s Siege) runs away with the ship leaving Sharpe in the mid of danger. His wife Jane is doubtful about her husband’s arrest or he may lose his life as well. And she never likes insecurities.


To tone down her fears, Sharpe gives her access of his money and instructs her to buy a country home in Dorset and he will join her after the war is over. It is 1814 and the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte is imminent. Under the command of General Nairn, Sharpe takes part in the Battle of Toulouse, during the battle General Nairn is killed and Sharpe unwillingly takes the command of the battalion in his hand. They win the war. Subsequently, Napoleon, almost defeated, escapes to Elba with some of his best fighters. After the war, in the company of Patrick Harper and Frederickson, Sharpe advances to Bordeaux with his men. From there he intends to get transported to England. It is here that he learns that Jane has closed his account after withdrawing eighteen thousand pounds; he grows a bit suspicious about her fidelity but also remains hopeful.

Instead of getting great compliments for the war, Sharpe and his ally William Frederickson are framed for stealing the treasure of Napoleon. Hence, they are arrested. All the false evidences are designed by his arch rival - Major Pierre Ducos. However, Sharpe knows that their charges can be diluted if they manage to bring the French commander Henri Lasan, who then was the commander of the fort where the treasure was located. To prove themselves clear, Sharpe and William Frederickson run away with the help of Patrick Harper and Captain Peter d’Alembord. They go on to find Henri Lasan.

Jane ignoring Sharpe’s instruction, rather buys an expensive town house in Cork Street in London. When she learns about his arrest, Jane approaches his closest ally - Lord John Rossendale for help. But instead they become lovers caring least about Sharpe and the allegations he is facing. On the other side, when Sharpe and his two men arrive at Normandy, Henri Lasan’s native place, they are attacked by his widowed sister Lucille Castineau. Because she thinks that his brother Henri was killed by English riflemen, however in the attack Sharpe gets injured badly. Before their arrival, Henri Lasan and his mother were killed by the men who wore green uniform, like the British soldiers. But in reality, those men belonged to Major Pierre Ducos, who now illegally owns the treasure of Napoleon. 

Patrick Harper returns to London to contact Jane and William Frederickson leaves for Paris to trace the whereabouts of Pierre Ducos. Sharpe being injured remains in the company of Lucille Castineau. But soon they become lovers but keep the matter secret.

Harper confirms the infidelity of Jane upon returning from London. Frederickson sends the word about Ducos’ new location. In the pursuit of Ducos, all three men head for Naples, in Italy, where Ducos is hiding with the treasure. Ducos has changed his name and with the help of the local cardinal, he is living on a hill top with some ferocious armed men at his service. 

On their route they meet General Calvet, a high-status warrior from the Napoleon army, who along a troop is also searching for the treasure. To fight Ducos, they form an alliance. After defeating Ducos’ men and fooling the local cardinal’s army, General Calvet with the treasure and Sharpe with his men escape from the city. Later, Sharpe parts with his two men and goes back to Normandy, where pregnant Lucille Castineau is waiting for him.  

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