Flashman on the March

By George MacDonald Fraser

     Finally, here is the twelfth Flashman adventure - and what a tale it is too. This time Flashy is embroiled in a little known and surprising campaign in Abyssinia, land of Solomon, Sheba and Prester John. Emperor Theodore is holding several British subjects captive and General Napier enlists Flashman's help to free them. Sent across trackless deserts in the company of a beautiful guide, he has to pose as a trader from Hyderabad complete with pantomime costume - for who else has his amazing record for heroism? Braving deadly tribesmen (and women) he at last reaches the Emperor - and is about to have even more nasty surprises.

     Eager fans have had to wait several years since the last installment, but if you are wondering whether it is worth the wait I can honestly say yes. I don't think that anybody writing today can match Fraser for brilliant eyewitness descriptions of historical events, well-placed humor or absorbing characterization. He could be said to be a blend of Ian Fleming, Dennis Wheatley and Rider Haggard - but he adds too much that is unique for this to truly mean anything. Having Flashman tell the tale in his own words is a stroke of genius, for he combines keen observation with the sort of jaundiced view of Victorian derring-do and unfathomable foreign mores that modern readers can identify with. There is violence and horror in here as ever, but it never overwhelms and the whole tale has a buoyant, Boy's Own cheerfulness that makes it a wonderfully engaging read. I do hope we don't have to wait too long for the next package of The Flashman Papers - although anything this well researched is going to take its time to appear. I hardly ever say this about any book as it is the highest praise I can give but…hugely enjoyable!