Mr. American

By: George MacDonald Fraser

Narrated by: David Case

Mr American is a swashbuckling romp of a novel. Mark Franklin came from the American West to Edwardian England with two long-barrelled .44s in his baggage and a fortune in silver in the bank. Where he had got it and what he was looking for no one could guess, although they wondered -- at Scotland Yard, in City offices, in the glittering theatreland of the West End, in the highest circles of Society (even King Edward was puzzled) and in the humble pub at Castle Lancing.

Tall dark and dangerous, soft spoken and alone, with London at his feet and a dark shadow in his past, he was a mystery to all of them, rustics and royalty, squires and suffragettes, the women who loved him and the men who feared and hated him. He came from a far frontier in another world, yet he was by no means a stranger! even old General Flashman, who knew men and mischief better than most, never guessed the whole truth about Mr American.

©1998 George MacDonald Fraser (P)2010 Random House

wonderful, wonderful

A long and picturesque book. This odd story employs side stories to entertain - stories of the American West. It brings to life characters whom you will forever love and those who will break your heart with their selfishness. And, not sure how to categorize it, but there are appearances by Fraser's favorite old (and I mean Old) badass, Harry Flashman. There is an elegiac tone throughout which adds to the story's autumnal richness. I thoroughly enjoyed the fine writing and the points-of view of a mature writer. It is a book to savor and to which I shall return.Confession: I didn't quite understand Mr. Fraser's wrap-up, but this doesn't dampen my enthusiasm. He gives you so much to enjoy throughout the narrative that this is a minor issue.David Case as reader was Just Right, too.

I just love the author

What did you love best about Mr. American?

As the descendant of people who left the British Isles this book spoke to me. I liked the characters, but more than that, I liked who it showed the evolution of American culture. The British Culture my forefathers left was rigid and not worth emulating. America for all of its simplicity and "awe shuckness" is a wonderful place that has much less pretense than Britain. This book paints the differences between the self made millionaires of America and the poor upper crust of Britain in the 1900s.

Half ripping yarn, half portrait of a country

Set in the five years before The Great War, Fraser uses an improbable American character to describe England at that time. His technique is to tell a string of stories interspersed with character and culture studies. The effect is completely engrossing and educational too,

David Case is brilliant, as always, performing the many voices to perfection.

Not quite what I had come to expect

From the Flashman Series... although our rogue hero does make a few cameo appearances… George MacDonald Fraser is clearly a master of whatever subject he cares to undertake. Not entirely riveting, Mr. American nevertheless seizes and holds the attention. Somewhat reflective... almost philosophical, and with a certain degree of pathos... The great gust of humor are lacking, but fans of Harry Flashman will not be disappointed by Fraser's ever gripping prose and the usual excellent reading, I've come to anticipate from the narrator.

Lot's of fun and great characters you'll remember

By accident my previous read had been Brideshead Revisited, which was another Edwardian story of aristocratic manners. It was good but I liked this story better. It combined many genres and gave a great historical account of what it was like in 1909-1914 England through the eyes of a reformed gunfighter from Colorado. There were many stories within stories and when it seemed it might be going flat in tone (it's 23 hours) General Harry Flashman walks in and picks things right up again. A great listen and David Case did another fine job. Plus the ending was touching. George Fraser really is a first class writer.

A Great Novel

Fraser's Magnum Opus , the fitting conclusion to the Flashman Papers. Fraser's American West meets England, complete with Sir Harry himself.

Cowboy goes to England

Any additional comments?

The setting is 1909 or so England.

I loved this book. Never knew what to expect so it kept me listening to it through to the next morning... Love the main character who was a polite solid quiet cowboy(his background) becoming a gentleman in British society.

The women he meets is a good tale in itself. But of course the story does not end there!

I would call this book a "Page Turner", so engrossing.

I had a chuckle from the "Flashman" books which I read previously. This book has an appearance of the "Flashman" character.

I am a heavy listener to audio books as my first choice, I have listened to over 4,000 of them. I would rank this book in the top 5% for being such an engaging tale and gripping. After the ending, this book is quite thought provoking.

If you liked this book, I recommend that you might also read "The Sea Wolf" by Jack London
performed by Frank Muller. "The Sea Wolf" is a gripping story not the typical read. It too was a "page turner" for me.

I highly recommend that you give this book a try. This book I will probably listen to it again.

Excellent storyline, but what happens next?

Historical detail makes the story so real and the appearance of General Sir Harry Flashman sharing his wordly philosophies a priceless bonus.

A good listen by George MacDonald Fraser

Admittedly I am a Flashman fan having read all the books and listened to most of them, but Mr American is a change of pace. More thoughtful, with Mr Franklin, an American with an interesting past who found his fortune in the Gold Rush and decides to visit his ancestral turf in England. This is not a Flashman ripper of a book, but rather a more cerebral, but enchanting, tale of a man who has seen and done it all, attempting to settle in Jolly old England. Narration is excellent and for you Flashman fanatics, Flashy does appear as a rounder in his 90’s. Kudos to Fraser for making all this work seamlessly. Little violence, but there is some obligatory gunplay. I gave this 5 stars, but remember, I am a charter member of the “Fraser can do no wrong” fan club.

Excellent

A great book by one of my favorite authors and narrator's.
Mr. Fraser has used this novel to paint a picture of England just before the first world war. I got a sense of what it must have been like to have been a wealthy upper class person in that time.
The story is not fast paced in fact mostly the opposite and that gives you time to absorb the atmosphere.
David Case aka Fredrick Davidson and a couple more aliases that I cannot recall is excellent as always.
Personally I wish Mr. Frasier would have been kinder to some of hi characters, but that is life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and without giving away to much (I hope) the appearance of Harry Flashman was an excellent and well enjoyed surprise
I just wish that Mr. Fraser and Mr case where still among us so I could let them know how much I enjoyed their work.