Sharpe's Escape

Book X of the Sharpe Series

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

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)

Excellent Adventure

I love the Sharpe stories read by Patrick Tull. Wish the others were still available.

More exciting battles in Portugal

My favorite stories by Cornwell in the Sharpe series involve the large Napoleonic battles. This story has a great mix of those and subterfuge when the large unit actions aren't in progress. Patrick Tull, as usual, shows plenty of enthusiasm but is lazy with the accents, and doesn't distinguish hardly at all with the voices for the various characters.

Good Series

One of my favorite series I've read or listened to. The story runs continuously through each book.

Classic Cornwell, Terrible Tull

This is my first audiobook review after several years and hundreds of downloads. I have listened to a lot of books by a lot of readers but have to say that while I'm a HUGE fan of the Sharpe Novels I absolutely can NOT stand Tull as the reader. Like others have noted it sounds like he has his mouth full or a serious speaking disorder. It's both aggravating and distracting. Unlike every other book I find myself looking at the counter not dreading the end of the narrative but hoping for it! I've listened to books where the writer has pushed the bounds of credibility to the point where I roll my eyes, but this book makes me grind my teeth, not from the story but from the reader. For Sharpe fans I would recommend buying the paper back and skip this audiobook.

enjoyable, but ...

another title without the author's historical notes. overall a lovely read, well read, and delightful in its entirety, but the missing notes is random and disappointing.

This should be two books

I enjoyed this book, and the narration is brilliant, but it is overlong. Nevertheless, I am a fan and look forward to listening to the next book in the series.

Sharpie’s escape

Sharpe delivers as only sharpe can… really missed the historical notes at the end… on to the next adventure…

ANOTHER change in readers…

Swapping back and forth between the other two is tedious enough, but now adding a third, and a third who only does English and Irish accents, makes it annoying. It’s hard to know the French, Spanish, or Portuguese were talking because they all sounded English. Made this story harder to follow than others but it’s still a good story.

Tull, Cornwell & O'brian ...

As put sooo well by Bradley above, the combination of Cornwell & Tull is dangerously close to the O'Brian & Tull collaboration! Why is there not more Cornwell/Tull narratives?
After listening to the O'Brian-Tull stories for the 4th time (it never gets boring), I search for more Cornwell and Tull is by far and away the best voice for his tales. Such companions they've become! Give them 5 stars! And Ganimera is a good second choice, too!
Being a history buff, I revel in Cornwell's detailed grasp of the era, its people and society, and it is so very easy to fall under their sway.
One work of advice, start at the beginning and read them all!

Really enjoyed this one

One of the best Sharpe books. I love the scene where Sharpe and his companions are trapped in the cellar.