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Matthew Hervey #1
A Close Run Thing
In the tradition of Patrick O'Brian's beloved historical military adventures comes the first in a dashing new series featuring Cornet Matthew Hervey, a young cavalry officer in Wellington's army of 1815. Bringing alive the Napoleonic era and the armies whose blood stained the soil of turbulent nations, here is the story of one man whose valor and vision bring him honor, betrayal, and a challenge beyond his imagining.
For two decades, since the French Revolution, Britain and her allies have fought a seemingly endless war to loosen Bonaparte's stranglehold on Europe. And Englishmen such as Matthew Hervey, led by the "Iron Duke" of Wellington, have left the green pastures of home to follow the drum in His Majesty's cavalry. By 1814 Hervey, a twenty-three-year-old parson's son, has been on campaign with the 6th Light Dragoons for over five years--only to find his military career endangered by an impetuous act of gallantry....
With the French army at last defeated and Bonaparte exiled to Elba, Matthew's regiment is posted home. His return to Horningsham village reacquaints him with the vivacious beauty of Lady Henrietta Lindsay, his childhood sweetheart. But shortly he is called to duty in Ireland, where English landowners can be as pitiless as Bonaparte has been on the Continent, and where rebellion lurks in every hedgerow.
Torn by ambition and ensnared in the intrigues of Wellington's army, Matthew struggles to shape his destiny, but his efforts are about to be cast to the winds of fate. For, back amid the pounding of hooves, the flash of gunpowder, and the clash of sabers, he will find the dramatic fulfillment of his own purpose, himself a catalyst in the battle of the century...near the small Belgian village of Waterloo.
Written with stunning authenticity, and sweeping from battleground to country mansion, from French château to smoky Irish hovel, A Close Run Thing gilds history with a bold imagination in an unforgettable tale of the fortunes of war and the conflicts of the spirit.
For two decades, since the French Revolution, Britain and her allies have fought a seemingly endless war to loosen Bonaparte's stranglehold on Europe. And Englishmen such as Matthew Hervey, led by the "Iron Duke" of Wellington, have left the green pastures of home to follow the drum in His Majesty's cavalry. By 1814 Hervey, a twenty-three-year-old parson's son, has been on campaign with the 6th Light Dragoons for over five years--only to find his military career endangered by an impetuous act of gallantry....
With the French army at last defeated and Bonaparte exiled to Elba, Matthew's regiment is posted home. His return to Horningsham village reacquaints him with the vivacious beauty of Lady Henrietta Lindsay, his childhood sweetheart. But shortly he is called to duty in Ireland, where English landowners can be as pitiless as Bonaparte has been on the Continent, and where rebellion lurks in every hedgerow.
Torn by ambition and ensnared in the intrigues of Wellington's army, Matthew struggles to shape his destiny, but his efforts are about to be cast to the winds of fate. For, back amid the pounding of hooves, the flash of gunpowder, and the clash of sabers, he will find the dramatic fulfillment of his own purpose, himself a catalyst in the battle of the century...near the small Belgian village of Waterloo.
Written with stunning authenticity, and sweeping from battleground to country mansion, from French château to smoky Irish hovel, A Close Run Thing gilds history with a bold imagination in an unforgettable tale of the fortunes of war and the conflicts of the spirit.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1999
70 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Allan Mallinson
44 books87 followersBrigadier Allan Lawrence Mallinson is an English author and was an officer in the British Army.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 5, 2018
This is book one of a series about Cornet Matthew Hervey. In this book Hervey is with the Duke of Wellington’s Army in the Napoleonic Wars. The time frame is about 1814 to 1815. We follow Hervey through the Peninsular Campaign to Waterloo.
The book is well written and meticulously researched. Mallinsen provides detailed information about the period as well as life in the army. The book is weak on dialog. The author has done an excellent job in putting the reader into the period of history. I assume that Mallinsen is setting the scene and building his background for the series. Hervey is a Calvary officer and the author provides a great deal of information about Calvary horses and their care during the Napoleonic Wars. I was impressed with the section about the battle of Waterloo; Mallinsen did an excellent job describing the battle. Napoleon came so close to winning. It started me thinking about what Europe and the world would be like today if he had won. The author is a retired British Army Officer who turned to writing both non-fiction and fiction. I enjoyed this and will be looking for book two of the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen and a half hours. Errick Graham did a good job narrating the book. Graham is an actor and audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and meticulously researched. Mallinsen provides detailed information about the period as well as life in the army. The book is weak on dialog. The author has done an excellent job in putting the reader into the period of history. I assume that Mallinsen is setting the scene and building his background for the series. Hervey is a Calvary officer and the author provides a great deal of information about Calvary horses and their care during the Napoleonic Wars. I was impressed with the section about the battle of Waterloo; Mallinsen did an excellent job describing the battle. Napoleon came so close to winning. It started me thinking about what Europe and the world would be like today if he had won. The author is a retired British Army Officer who turned to writing both non-fiction and fiction. I enjoyed this and will be looking for book two of the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen and a half hours. Errick Graham did a good job narrating the book. Graham is an actor and audiobook narrator.
October 22, 2008
We've had Sharpe (Bernard Cornwell) and Rifleman Dodd (C. S. Forester) in the infantry of Wellington's Army and the formidable mix of Aubrey (Patrick O'Brian), Bolitho (Alexander Kent), Delancey (C. Northcote Parkinson), Drinkwater (Richard Woodman), Hornblower (C. S. Forester) and Ramage (Dudley Pope)to cover the Battles at Sea. Now, Mallinson, a cavalryman himself in a different type of cavalry, tells the story of the light dragoons at Toulouse and Waterloo.
Not only is this the only series on Napoleonic cavalry (and beyond), but it is unique in that it starts with Napoleon's first surrender and takes you through Waterloo. As a result, future adventures will take place in India and other colonies.
Another unique feature of this series is that it takes place in the 6th Light Dragoons who had an unusually positive perspective on faith for the era and for the service. The book is replete with Biblical references and discussions of the differences between Catholics, Church of England, and dissenters.
In addition to the realistic action, worthy portrayal of the atmosphere of the times, and engaging subject matter, I liked such things as the following line: "A Stoic's praise was worthy, but a Corinthian's was an inspiration." p. 212
Not only is this the only series on Napoleonic cavalry (and beyond), but it is unique in that it starts with Napoleon's first surrender and takes you through Waterloo. As a result, future adventures will take place in India and other colonies.
Another unique feature of this series is that it takes place in the 6th Light Dragoons who had an unusually positive perspective on faith for the era and for the service. The book is replete with Biblical references and discussions of the differences between Catholics, Church of England, and dissenters.
In addition to the realistic action, worthy portrayal of the atmosphere of the times, and engaging subject matter, I liked such things as the following line: "A Stoic's praise was worthy, but a Corinthian's was an inspiration." p. 212
December 5, 2021
Read this book in 2007, and its the 1st volume of the "Matthew Hervey" series, from the author, Allan Mallinson.
This book starts in the years AD 1814-1815, and our main character Matthew Hervey is a young Cornet in the Sixth Light Dragoons, and getting ready for that famous bloody and devastating battle of Waterloo.
During the preparations towards that famous battle of Waterloo, Matthew Hervey will discover quite some officers who are uncapable for the rank they are occupying, but only obtaining that rank through their riches while Hervey is from a middle-class family without the finances to buy a rank within the army.
So during the battle of Waterloo, Hervey will encounter some dangerous and horrific moments, but due to the very late arrival of the Prussians the cause of that famous battle will turn into the Duke of Wellington's favour, and thus young Cornet Hervey one of the victors and survivors of that war against Napoleon Bonaparte.
All in all this is a very satisfying historical tale, in which the historical details are very well implemented within this story and the actual battle and its aftermath are wonderfully pictured by the author.
Very much recommended, for this is a very likeable start of this eventful series, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Very Enjoyable Begin"!
This book starts in the years AD 1814-1815, and our main character Matthew Hervey is a young Cornet in the Sixth Light Dragoons, and getting ready for that famous bloody and devastating battle of Waterloo.
During the preparations towards that famous battle of Waterloo, Matthew Hervey will discover quite some officers who are uncapable for the rank they are occupying, but only obtaining that rank through their riches while Hervey is from a middle-class family without the finances to buy a rank within the army.
So during the battle of Waterloo, Hervey will encounter some dangerous and horrific moments, but due to the very late arrival of the Prussians the cause of that famous battle will turn into the Duke of Wellington's favour, and thus young Cornet Hervey one of the victors and survivors of that war against Napoleon Bonaparte.
All in all this is a very satisfying historical tale, in which the historical details are very well implemented within this story and the actual battle and its aftermath are wonderfully pictured by the author.
Very much recommended, for this is a very likeable start of this eventful series, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Very Enjoyable Begin"!
April 15, 2010
A CLOSE RUN THING is a difficult book to write about. My main knowledge of the Napoleonic Wars comes from reading Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books, probably my favourite series of novels, well, ever! So I was eager to try a 'rival' author and get their take on the same material.
This book is VERY different in terms of style. It's heavy on detail and description, and in terms of story not a great deal happens: we meet a character at war in France, who then goes to Ireland to help quell some uprisings, and then returns at the end to take part in the battle of Waterloo.
The majority of the story is made up of very long-winded passages of sometimes purple prose. It seems that Mallinson keeps a thesaurus at hand when he writes, eager to throw in a new word in every sentence. The main character of Hervey comes across as a bit of a bore, lacking in personality, and almost too 'good'; there's none of the roguish charm belonging to Sharpe here.
I understand that this 'scholarly' style owes much to the seafaring novels of Patrick O'Brian, but I much prefer more straightforward, 'concrete' writing in the style of Cornwell or Iggulden, that's less taxing. The detail doesn't really add anything here; I was just waiting for the story to carry on. The action is kept mainly off the page, for instance, it just gets interesting during the eviction of some tenants in rural Ireland when the scene ends and we cut to a later time. Disappointing! There are some bits at Waterloo which are more exciting, though, even if they're brief. Mallinson's interest isn't in describing battle, rather the mindset of the officer.
Saying all that: *something* about the book kept me reading. It may be as simple as wanting to find out if the story improved, but I read this book to the end fairly quickly. I may not have loved it, but it kept my interest - so Mallinson must have done something right. Certainly his research into the military and especially the cavalry seems to be very thorough; you never doubt the era, which is a definite plus.
In the end, I was left both disappointed and somewhat engaged. I have ohers in the series, so I'll be checking them out to see whether the books grow on me or not.
This book is VERY different in terms of style. It's heavy on detail and description, and in terms of story not a great deal happens: we meet a character at war in France, who then goes to Ireland to help quell some uprisings, and then returns at the end to take part in the battle of Waterloo.
The majority of the story is made up of very long-winded passages of sometimes purple prose. It seems that Mallinson keeps a thesaurus at hand when he writes, eager to throw in a new word in every sentence. The main character of Hervey comes across as a bit of a bore, lacking in personality, and almost too 'good'; there's none of the roguish charm belonging to Sharpe here.
I understand that this 'scholarly' style owes much to the seafaring novels of Patrick O'Brian, but I much prefer more straightforward, 'concrete' writing in the style of Cornwell or Iggulden, that's less taxing. The detail doesn't really add anything here; I was just waiting for the story to carry on. The action is kept mainly off the page, for instance, it just gets interesting during the eviction of some tenants in rural Ireland when the scene ends and we cut to a later time. Disappointing! There are some bits at Waterloo which are more exciting, though, even if they're brief. Mallinson's interest isn't in describing battle, rather the mindset of the officer.
Saying all that: *something* about the book kept me reading. It may be as simple as wanting to find out if the story improved, but I read this book to the end fairly quickly. I may not have loved it, but it kept my interest - so Mallinson must have done something right. Certainly his research into the military and especially the cavalry seems to be very thorough; you never doubt the era, which is a definite plus.
In the end, I was left both disappointed and somewhat engaged. I have ohers in the series, so I'll be checking them out to see whether the books grow on me or not.
January 21, 2015
Cornwell has done it for the infantry (Sharpe), O'Brian for the navy (Aubrey-Maturin) and Mallinson for the cavalry. The style is more O'Brian than Cornwell, and overall the narrative is atmospheric, and full of lots of wonderfully authentic details (you will learn possibly more than you want to know about Napoleonic veterinary practices or the minutiae of the Anglican ecclesiastical calendar). I would have given it 4 stars - because I love this kind of thing -but for me it stumbles with the character of the hero. He's just too squeaky clean for my liking - none of Sharpe's rough edges, or Aubrey's ponderous witticisms, or Maturin's bloody mindedness (all features which make those characters come alive) - Hervey is just too bloody perfect, and comes across as a bit of a prig. But that aside, if you like historical fiction set during the Napoleonic wars you cannot fail to enjoy this (unless your attention span is very short - this is not a novel for cheap thrills).
August 30, 2008
The story is about an ever alert, smart, capable English officer during the Napoleonic wars. Said story is very wordy and therefore slow, BUT the those words are amazingly well written. That's why 4 stars. I am amazed at the ability of good writers to use the English language without being repetitive or colloquial. I am further amazed at writers whose knowledge of the times and customs are evidenced in the telling.
As for gaining something from the book, there was the bravery of the soldiers, facts about soldiering in the early 19th century, a few side characters that were interesting, i.e. a scholarly young nun, but nothing that I won't forget in another month.
As for gaining something from the book, there was the bravery of the soldiers, facts about soldiering in the early 19th century, a few side characters that were interesting, i.e. a scholarly young nun, but nothing that I won't forget in another month.
April 14, 2016
I'm a big fan of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels about the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars, so when I came across this book about the British army of the same period, graced by a blurb from O'Brian, I had to check it out. I also like Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, which covers the same territory, but the Sharpe books are more in the straightforward military adventure genre, as opposed to O'Brian's broader-ranging, literary approach. I was interested to see what Mallinson has to offer.
It's evident he is striving to be the O'Brian of Wellington's army, and he comes close. Matthew Hervey is a cornet (the lowest officer rank) in a cavalry regiment that has just returned from the brutal campaign against the French in Spain. A mere parson's son with no high connections, he doesn't have the money to purchase a lieutenant's commission and must hope to be one of the few who advance on merit alone. A well-earned rest at home, involving romantic complications, is followed by a tour in Ireland, where the regiment is busy keeping the impoverished peasants in line for the benefit of absentee English landlords. Hervey's consciousness is raised but his conscience is saved from further trouble by the urgent dash to Belgium to prepare for a climactic battle with the resurgent Napoleon at a village called Waterloo. Needless to say, our hero will do well.
The writing is adept, the texture of English society with all its complicated constraints vividly evoked. There is marriage intrigue (the novels of the recently published Jane Austen are referenced), musing on the system of purchasing commissions and other peculiarities of British military culture, much lore on horses and cavalry warfare, Church of England theology, and more. It's not quite O'Brian, but it's close. It's annoyingly marred in places by snatches of French and German which are riddled with errors. How hard is it to get a native speaker to check your foreign dialogue? But all in all, a good read for fans of historical fiction of the period.
It's evident he is striving to be the O'Brian of Wellington's army, and he comes close. Matthew Hervey is a cornet (the lowest officer rank) in a cavalry regiment that has just returned from the brutal campaign against the French in Spain. A mere parson's son with no high connections, he doesn't have the money to purchase a lieutenant's commission and must hope to be one of the few who advance on merit alone. A well-earned rest at home, involving romantic complications, is followed by a tour in Ireland, where the regiment is busy keeping the impoverished peasants in line for the benefit of absentee English landlords. Hervey's consciousness is raised but his conscience is saved from further trouble by the urgent dash to Belgium to prepare for a climactic battle with the resurgent Napoleon at a village called Waterloo. Needless to say, our hero will do well.
The writing is adept, the texture of English society with all its complicated constraints vividly evoked. There is marriage intrigue (the novels of the recently published Jane Austen are referenced), musing on the system of purchasing commissions and other peculiarities of British military culture, much lore on horses and cavalry warfare, Church of England theology, and more. It's not quite O'Brian, but it's close. It's annoyingly marred in places by snatches of French and German which are riddled with errors. How hard is it to get a native speaker to check your foreign dialogue? But all in all, a good read for fans of historical fiction of the period.
January 23, 2024
This is the second time I have read A Close Run Thing, and I love it. This is what you would get if a Jane Austen novel had a love child with a Tom Clancy novel and the love child novel was set in the Napoleonic wars. There are lots of technical details about cavalry warfare, there is lots of action, there are lots of details about English society and manners at the time, and this is a love story. Really a great series actually.
November 10, 2020
Any fan of military fiction should read Mallinson.
October 26, 2024
Engrossing, convincing, charming.
April 7, 2021
Exceptional read!
June 7, 2015
Though a competent officer serving with the Sixth Dragoons for 6 years having never gotten promotion suddenly in the course of the end of the main campaign against Napoleon and the resumption during the last battles of the 100 days seems far fetched, Matthew Hervey is a worthy addition to those we look at to explain what happens in this era. We have a few tales that look closely at the British Cavalry, and perhaps signaling out this hero to not only get noticed by Wellington but to do a service far above his rank, and his training seems also out of place.
Surely with the many cavalry charges that day of June 18th, any young officer would have been able to distinguish themselves in the normal course of combat without taking upon themselves one of the few things that were necessary to decisive victory.
And then finding issues that most officers would not have involved themselves in during the year of peace also makes it hard to think of Mallinson's Hervey as anything but a magnet for issues that he should have been more of an observer to, than involved in. To also find a the son of a vicar so well received by Thynne on one hand, and Cavendish on the other should signify a long life as a Whig, which perhaps most persons of our time would think of themselves if thrust back to the early 1800s. But would someone so far on the outskirts of the Ton really interact with the highest amongst the Ton?
Mallinson has jumps of logic so that he can write in the name of a few historical figures that most Cornets and Lieutenants would never meet. That detracts from what could be a better story. Further, making the first novel of this series at the end of years of action to give the last third the telling of Waterloo, when perhaps there should have been a half dozen books leading up to it is the true test. Thus only 3.5 instead of a higher rating, We should have known more of Hervey before the telling here.
Surely with the many cavalry charges that day of June 18th, any young officer would have been able to distinguish themselves in the normal course of combat without taking upon themselves one of the few things that were necessary to decisive victory.
And then finding issues that most officers would not have involved themselves in during the year of peace also makes it hard to think of Mallinson's Hervey as anything but a magnet for issues that he should have been more of an observer to, than involved in. To also find a the son of a vicar so well received by Thynne on one hand, and Cavendish on the other should signify a long life as a Whig, which perhaps most persons of our time would think of themselves if thrust back to the early 1800s. But would someone so far on the outskirts of the Ton really interact with the highest amongst the Ton?
Mallinson has jumps of logic so that he can write in the name of a few historical figures that most Cornets and Lieutenants would never meet. That detracts from what could be a better story. Further, making the first novel of this series at the end of years of action to give the last third the telling of Waterloo, when perhaps there should have been a half dozen books leading up to it is the true test. Thus only 3.5 instead of a higher rating, We should have known more of Hervey before the telling here.
June 3, 2018
A book to transport you to another time and place in a way that others rarely do. This is a very strong first novel that manages to blend the adventure stories of Patrick O’Brian with the wit of Jane Austen. The rest are just as good.
The protagonist was a thinking man and a soldier without being a thug. I suppose it takes a thinking soldier to write one. The portrayal of the life of the Church was fascinating. Mallinson excels at portraying the social life of a regiment, no doubt from long experience. His women, particularly Miss Hervey, are well observed and only get better.
Just fantastic.
The protagonist was a thinking man and a soldier without being a thug. I suppose it takes a thinking soldier to write one. The portrayal of the life of the Church was fascinating. Mallinson excels at portraying the social life of a regiment, no doubt from long experience. His women, particularly Miss Hervey, are well observed and only get better.
Just fantastic.
June 18, 2016
Set at the end of the Napoleonic era, culminating with the battle of Waterloo, strikes me as an interesting time period to choose and makes me wonder where he's going to take the series.
The book is well written and quite captivating, but without being a quick simple page flicker, indeed the language was actually quite complex and had me reaching for the dictionary on occasion.
Looking forward to the rest if the series.
The book is well written and quite captivating, but without being a quick simple page flicker, indeed the language was actually quite complex and had me reaching for the dictionary on occasion.
Looking forward to the rest if the series.
February 8, 2016
Allan Mallinson has a beautiful tone reminiscent of authors of the period, ending up somewhere between Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O'Brian in terms of literary style, and what I most liked is that the author painted a vivid picture of the life and times, not just the battles. Matthew Hervey seems likable and promising, though I wish the series had not started with Waterloo but that Hervey had been involved in some of the continental campaigns. Worth the reading!
Read
April 27, 2011A cavalry officer in Wellington
August 11, 2020
When I spotted a lovely painting-like cover of this book on NetGalley, I thought "Stunning. They don't make them like that anymore...". I was correct; this edition seems to be released ten years ago and the book itself - twenty, speaking of being late to the party!
The blurb reads:
"Waterloo 1815. The war against Napoleon Bonaparte is raging to its bloody end at Waterloo.
A young officer - Cornet Matthew Hervey - going about his duty suddenly finds himself at the crux of events.
The decisions he has to make - both military and romantic - will change the course of his life, and possible have far reaching political consequences..."
There are books about soldiers from the time of the Napoleonic wars - infantry and navy, but the cavalry has been given a wide berth. Until now.
From the very beginning, attention to details of soldiers' life is striking. It shows in the small details, spoken in a manner long forgotten:
"His eyes were set front, and filling the limited arc of their fixed gaze were two symbols which, while if not to his mind entirely contradictory, in their juxtaposition seemed somehow incongruous. For on the wall behind the desk was a large wooden cross with a painted figure of the crucified Christ. Next to it - perhaps even leaning against it - was the regimental guidon, a piece of red silk on a beechwood stave, its richly embroidered battle honours still resplendent despite the staining and fading."
The story is very rich in characters - names well-known from the history: Wellington, Hussey Vivian, Cavendish - to mention a few, but also plenty of fictional characters, which added to the hustle and bustle of the life of a cavalry officer and a gentleman.
The dialogue sometimes feels very slow. Mallinson does a fantastic job in portraying different accents or manners of speaking, but the actual conversations often may lack flair and swiftness:
'Quartermaster Hill has died of an ague,' he began.
'Oh,' said Hervey, 'I am right sorry - a good man and an honest quartermaster.'
Ay, t'canteen raised a fair sum for 'his widow. There's a new vetinry an' all.'
As enjoyable as it was going through the details of the battle of Waterloo, a harshness of 19th century-life, or Hervey's inability to understand popular (during his time) literary references, I have two issues with this book.
Firstly - the main character; he's polite, righteous, honourable, always follows his conscience - almost too polite, too noble, not a stain on his character. As an embodiment of cavalry officer's ideal, there's no one better, but from a perspective of the entire story, he feels a bit two-dimensional.
Secondly - the plot; I'm used to having an overarching theme of a novel. For example, in Cornwell's books, Sharpe usually has a mission and a villain to deal with. The war is just a backdrop. In this novel, the plot is meandering. For about 80% of the book, I was trying to find the arc, and every time it eluded me.
Here's how it went (spoiler-free):
Hervey's given a [redacted] by the [redacted] to deliver safely to [redacted] - oh, that's a cool mission! Nope, they're [redacted]
Napoleon surrenders, Hervey goes home, reconnects with a woman from his past - oh, please don't be a Jane Austen-style romance! It is not.
Troops are sent to [redacted], Hervey is getting into an altercation with [redacted] due to [redacted] - oh, preparation for 1816 events? Awesome! Nope, wrong again, Waterloo happens.
Waterloo happens.
Because of this, Hervey comes across as a bit of a flag in the wind in the story. His actions are mostly reactive and drive the plot very little. Despite that, the ends are tied logically, and the story is quite satisfying once you get into it.
My favourite part, however, was during a family dinner, where awkwardness is brought to the table. Instead of suffering along with the characters, the point of view switches to Hervey's sister, and her diary entry. I will leave it for you to discover.
This love letter to an idea of a British cavalry officer, written by a cavalry officer of remarkable service history, is a glimpse into two pasts - the 1815 era of history-changing events, and a nostalgic return to a time where life, and books, had a slower pace.
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You can find more reviews on my blog OfBooksAndCoffee.com
The blurb reads:
"Waterloo 1815. The war against Napoleon Bonaparte is raging to its bloody end at Waterloo.
A young officer - Cornet Matthew Hervey - going about his duty suddenly finds himself at the crux of events.
The decisions he has to make - both military and romantic - will change the course of his life, and possible have far reaching political consequences..."
There are books about soldiers from the time of the Napoleonic wars - infantry and navy, but the cavalry has been given a wide berth. Until now.
From the very beginning, attention to details of soldiers' life is striking. It shows in the small details, spoken in a manner long forgotten:
"His eyes were set front, and filling the limited arc of their fixed gaze were two symbols which, while if not to his mind entirely contradictory, in their juxtaposition seemed somehow incongruous. For on the wall behind the desk was a large wooden cross with a painted figure of the crucified Christ. Next to it - perhaps even leaning against it - was the regimental guidon, a piece of red silk on a beechwood stave, its richly embroidered battle honours still resplendent despite the staining and fading."
The story is very rich in characters - names well-known from the history: Wellington, Hussey Vivian, Cavendish - to mention a few, but also plenty of fictional characters, which added to the hustle and bustle of the life of a cavalry officer and a gentleman.
The dialogue sometimes feels very slow. Mallinson does a fantastic job in portraying different accents or manners of speaking, but the actual conversations often may lack flair and swiftness:
'Quartermaster Hill has died of an ague,' he began.
'Oh,' said Hervey, 'I am right sorry - a good man and an honest quartermaster.'
Ay, t'canteen raised a fair sum for 'his widow. There's a new vetinry an' all.'
As enjoyable as it was going through the details of the battle of Waterloo, a harshness of 19th century-life, or Hervey's inability to understand popular (during his time) literary references, I have two issues with this book.
Firstly - the main character; he's polite, righteous, honourable, always follows his conscience - almost too polite, too noble, not a stain on his character. As an embodiment of cavalry officer's ideal, there's no one better, but from a perspective of the entire story, he feels a bit two-dimensional.
Secondly - the plot; I'm used to having an overarching theme of a novel. For example, in Cornwell's books, Sharpe usually has a mission and a villain to deal with. The war is just a backdrop. In this novel, the plot is meandering. For about 80% of the book, I was trying to find the arc, and every time it eluded me.
Here's how it went (spoiler-free):
Hervey's given a [redacted] by the [redacted] to deliver safely to [redacted] - oh, that's a cool mission! Nope, they're [redacted]
Napoleon surrenders, Hervey goes home, reconnects with a woman from his past - oh, please don't be a Jane Austen-style romance! It is not.
Troops are sent to [redacted], Hervey is getting into an altercation with [redacted] due to [redacted] - oh, preparation for 1816 events? Awesome! Nope, wrong again, Waterloo happens.
Waterloo happens.
Because of this, Hervey comes across as a bit of a flag in the wind in the story. His actions are mostly reactive and drive the plot very little. Despite that, the ends are tied logically, and the story is quite satisfying once you get into it.
My favourite part, however, was during a family dinner, where awkwardness is brought to the table. Instead of suffering along with the characters, the point of view switches to Hervey's sister, and her diary entry. I will leave it for you to discover.
This love letter to an idea of a British cavalry officer, written by a cavalry officer of remarkable service history, is a glimpse into two pasts - the 1815 era of history-changing events, and a nostalgic return to a time where life, and books, had a slower pace.
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You can find more reviews on my blog OfBooksAndCoffee.com
December 29, 2018
A Close Run Thing, the debut of Allan Mallinson's Hervey series, is an interesting read and hopefully a harbinger of more to come, as the author pulls off a solid account of the Battle of Waterloo from the perspective of a junior cavalry officer in Wellington's army.
Allan Mallinson's Hervey joins an impressive list of Napoleonic narratives, including Forester's Hornblower, Cornwell's Sharpe and O'Brien's Aubrey and Maturin. In terms of style, Hervey lurks somewhere between Hornblower and Aubrey but occasionally breaks cover and sprints into Sharpe territory when a battle lurches into view. While still finding its voice, the novel nicely balances its depiction of war with that of the social strains and stresses placed upon the protagonists.
As a narrative, it's perhaps a bit predictable but generally engaging, with some insightful periods of English society and a regiment in peacetime bookended by action in France. The characters are generally well drawn and come across multi-dimensional, rather than broad stereotypes which occasionally blight Sharpe. The work also draws on Mallinson's expert knowledge from his own service in the British Army, and boasts a detailed look at the specific challenges and culture inherent in a cavalry regiment, nicely carving a niche in the genre of historical military fiction. At the same time, the peacetime sections have also benefited from his studious eye, and possess an authenticity and a life which prevent them coming across as twee or lifeless.
That being said, there are a couple of issues which meant that the book only got three stars rather than four. Hervey encounters a few too many historical figures from the time to be entirely plausible (Jane Austen cameos to act as a hasty plot device), the Waterloo narrative seems much more akin to an action packed tour of the battlefield than an arc for Hervey to experience, and Hervey himself is a little underdeveloped. While he does have his moments, the trope of the rather naive if good-natured young hero isn't particularly subverted, and it leaves us with a protagonist who often comes across as curiously clueless and passive, to the point of some ludicrous co-incidences needed to get him from point to point. Finally, Mallinson does occasionally weigh down his prose with too much detail of the specifics of life as a cavalryman, which tends to be included at the expense of some pacing and character work.
That being said, I don't want to be too harsh on the book - it was perfectly enjoyable, and given it was Mallinson's first work, he still seems to be finding his voice. All in all, A Close Run Thing does a decent job of introducing us to Hervey and his regiment, but one hopes that, with Waterloo out of the way, Hervey can have a bit more fun in his future adventures.
Allan Mallinson's Hervey joins an impressive list of Napoleonic narratives, including Forester's Hornblower, Cornwell's Sharpe and O'Brien's Aubrey and Maturin. In terms of style, Hervey lurks somewhere between Hornblower and Aubrey but occasionally breaks cover and sprints into Sharpe territory when a battle lurches into view. While still finding its voice, the novel nicely balances its depiction of war with that of the social strains and stresses placed upon the protagonists.
As a narrative, it's perhaps a bit predictable but generally engaging, with some insightful periods of English society and a regiment in peacetime bookended by action in France. The characters are generally well drawn and come across multi-dimensional, rather than broad stereotypes which occasionally blight Sharpe. The work also draws on Mallinson's expert knowledge from his own service in the British Army, and boasts a detailed look at the specific challenges and culture inherent in a cavalry regiment, nicely carving a niche in the genre of historical military fiction. At the same time, the peacetime sections have also benefited from his studious eye, and possess an authenticity and a life which prevent them coming across as twee or lifeless.
That being said, there are a couple of issues which meant that the book only got three stars rather than four. Hervey encounters a few too many historical figures from the time to be entirely plausible (Jane Austen cameos to act as a hasty plot device), the Waterloo narrative seems much more akin to an action packed tour of the battlefield than an arc for Hervey to experience, and Hervey himself is a little underdeveloped. While he does have his moments, the trope of the rather naive if good-natured young hero isn't particularly subverted, and it leaves us with a protagonist who often comes across as curiously clueless and passive, to the point of some ludicrous co-incidences needed to get him from point to point. Finally, Mallinson does occasionally weigh down his prose with too much detail of the specifics of life as a cavalryman, which tends to be included at the expense of some pacing and character work.
That being said, I don't want to be too harsh on the book - it was perfectly enjoyable, and given it was Mallinson's first work, he still seems to be finding his voice. All in all, A Close Run Thing does a decent job of introducing us to Hervey and his regiment, but one hopes that, with Waterloo out of the way, Hervey can have a bit more fun in his future adventures.
December 28, 2019
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3296662.html
One of the 28th is a standalone novel, whereas A Close Run Thing, published in in 1999, is the first in a series of thirteen (so far) chronicling the adventures of Matthew Hervey, the latest of which came out last year. I would be astonished if Mallinson had not read Henty before starting to write. There are some clear similarities between the books - both the protagonists are from middle-class family backgrounds (Hervey's father is a vicar, so is Ralph's prospective father-in-law), struggling to rise in the officer caste of the army; both protagonists fall in love and get married at the end of the book (sorry for spoilers); both novels feature questions of inheritance; and in both, the protagonist and his comrades are sent to Ireland - indeed, both to Cork - to keep order during the interval between Napoleon's exile to Elba and the Hundred Days.
But the take of the two books on Ireland is very different. By superior intellect and judgement, Ralph Conway of the 28th manages to capture a Galway ruffian and liberate the locals from the tyranny of untaxed liquor distillation, er, well. Hervey on the other hand gets into trouble for defending the local peasants against eviction, having got himself sensitised to the Irish situation by reading Maria Edgeworth. I don't find either scenario particularly believable, but I do find it interesting that both authors felt they needed to invoke Ireland in some detail to set the scene for the later phases.
A Close Run Thing is more consciously a Bildungsroman (in fairness, Henty's characters are so two-dimensional that it is unfair to expect character development from them). Hervey is constantly getting into trouble, mainly for doing the right thing and therefore annoying the wrong superior officers, and a lot of the book involves those disentanglements as well as developing his relationship with his girlfriend. (There's also a surprising amount of theology.) Mallinson here is following in the footsteps of Cornwell/Sharpe and O'Brien/Maturin.
When it comes to the actual Battle of Waterloo, both have pretty detailed accounts of the fighting, drawn from the usual sources. Mallinson goes into it in more depth, but wears it a bit better because he has been giving us military detail all through the book (especially about horses). He also puts Hervey, who conveniently speaks German, into a crucial role in liaison between the Prussians and Wellington. Henty's detailed account of the battle is a jarring deviation from the tight-third of most of the book, especially since Ralph himself is more at the worm's eye than bird's eye point of view, rather like Stendhal's protagonist in The Charterhouse of Parma.
Hervey gets through unscathed, though dearly beloved comrades are killed in front of him.
One of the 28th is a standalone novel, whereas A Close Run Thing, published in in 1999, is the first in a series of thirteen (so far) chronicling the adventures of Matthew Hervey, the latest of which came out last year. I would be astonished if Mallinson had not read Henty before starting to write. There are some clear similarities between the books - both the protagonists are from middle-class family backgrounds (Hervey's father is a vicar, so is Ralph's prospective father-in-law), struggling to rise in the officer caste of the army; both protagonists fall in love and get married at the end of the book (sorry for spoilers); both novels feature questions of inheritance; and in both, the protagonist and his comrades are sent to Ireland - indeed, both to Cork - to keep order during the interval between Napoleon's exile to Elba and the Hundred Days.
But the take of the two books on Ireland is very different. By superior intellect and judgement, Ralph Conway of the 28th manages to capture a Galway ruffian and liberate the locals from the tyranny of untaxed liquor distillation, er, well. Hervey on the other hand gets into trouble for defending the local peasants against eviction, having got himself sensitised to the Irish situation by reading Maria Edgeworth. I don't find either scenario particularly believable, but I do find it interesting that both authors felt they needed to invoke Ireland in some detail to set the scene for the later phases.
A Close Run Thing is more consciously a Bildungsroman (in fairness, Henty's characters are so two-dimensional that it is unfair to expect character development from them). Hervey is constantly getting into trouble, mainly for doing the right thing and therefore annoying the wrong superior officers, and a lot of the book involves those disentanglements as well as developing his relationship with his girlfriend. (There's also a surprising amount of theology.) Mallinson here is following in the footsteps of Cornwell/Sharpe and O'Brien/Maturin.
When it comes to the actual Battle of Waterloo, both have pretty detailed accounts of the fighting, drawn from the usual sources. Mallinson goes into it in more depth, but wears it a bit better because he has been giving us military detail all through the book (especially about horses). He also puts Hervey, who conveniently speaks German, into a crucial role in liaison between the Prussians and Wellington. Henty's detailed account of the battle is a jarring deviation from the tight-third of most of the book, especially since Ralph himself is more at the worm's eye than bird's eye point of view, rather like Stendhal's protagonist in The Charterhouse of Parma.
Hervey gets through unscathed, though dearly beloved comrades are killed in front of him.
May 12, 2018
I would have liked to give this 3 and a half, but there is no allowance for that. I would not go to four for one reason. The first chapter.
This was a very enjoyable story set between 1814 to 1815. The reader sees a backdrop of historical development where Napoleon is banished to Elba and then his return for the 100 Days War. In between, our British cavalryman takes two months leave and then is stationed in Ireland, before returning to mainland Europe to fight the Battle of Waterloo.
My only gripe with the story is the first chapter. It was full of narration and was intense in historical detail concerning cavalry etc. It read like a textbook and what little dialogue there was, seemed short. This made the characters look a little wooden. By the time I finished the first chapter, I was pondering on whether or not to abandon the novel. I stuck with it and I am most pleased I did. For it seemed as though the author wanted to get some of these explanations out of the way. The story started to roll and the dialogue got much better. The character of Matthew Hervey bloomed. I found him easy to identify with as his adventure began.
As the novel progressed and new things had to be explained, it was often done without the long narration and sometimes the characters told the reader through dialogue. This worked much better. I don't understand why the author, who obviously knows his stuff, could not have shown the reader the cavalry things of the first chapter via dialogue with the nun/nurse at the nunnery where the first chapter was set. As I say, this was a smashing story apart from the laborious first chapter. I will read the second book in the series The Nizam's Daughters as I did enjoy the period settings and have warmed to Matthew Hervey.
This was a very enjoyable story set between 1814 to 1815. The reader sees a backdrop of historical development where Napoleon is banished to Elba and then his return for the 100 Days War. In between, our British cavalryman takes two months leave and then is stationed in Ireland, before returning to mainland Europe to fight the Battle of Waterloo.
My only gripe with the story is the first chapter. It was full of narration and was intense in historical detail concerning cavalry etc. It read like a textbook and what little dialogue there was, seemed short. This made the characters look a little wooden. By the time I finished the first chapter, I was pondering on whether or not to abandon the novel. I stuck with it and I am most pleased I did. For it seemed as though the author wanted to get some of these explanations out of the way. The story started to roll and the dialogue got much better. The character of Matthew Hervey bloomed. I found him easy to identify with as his adventure began.
As the novel progressed and new things had to be explained, it was often done without the long narration and sometimes the characters told the reader through dialogue. This worked much better. I don't understand why the author, who obviously knows his stuff, could not have shown the reader the cavalry things of the first chapter via dialogue with the nun/nurse at the nunnery where the first chapter was set. As I say, this was a smashing story apart from the laborious first chapter. I will read the second book in the series The Nizam's Daughters as I did enjoy the period settings and have warmed to Matthew Hervey.
April 20, 2021
A Serviceable but Uninspiring Historical Adventure
This novel is quite explicitly meant to do for Napoleonic-era cavalry what _Master and Commander_ did for Napoleonic-era navy. Which is sadly setting oneself up for failure, given the immense popularity and unusual skill of that book and its sequels.
Unfortunately, it's simply not that good. Perhaps the most distinctive lack is the sense of humor that brings POB's characters to life. Hervey is simply a bit dull. We also lack a worthwhile foil to our officer protagonist--it is precisely the _relationship between_ Aubrey and Maturin that gives so much depth to that series, not the individual heroics of either character, nor simply the meticulous historical setting.
I suppose this novel might be much more rewarding if it were not placing itself in such august company, but I was unable to get past that.
This novel is quite explicitly meant to do for Napoleonic-era cavalry what _Master and Commander_ did for Napoleonic-era navy. Which is sadly setting oneself up for failure, given the immense popularity and unusual skill of that book and its sequels.
Unfortunately, it's simply not that good. Perhaps the most distinctive lack is the sense of humor that brings POB's characters to life. Hervey is simply a bit dull. We also lack a worthwhile foil to our officer protagonist--it is precisely the _relationship between_ Aubrey and Maturin that gives so much depth to that series, not the individual heroics of either character, nor simply the meticulous historical setting.
I suppose this novel might be much more rewarding if it were not placing itself in such august company, but I was unable to get past that.
January 9, 2025
I appreciate a well researched historical novel, but there might be such a thing as too well researched. When an author has to write long paragraphs of exposition, detailing every period specific detail they have learned about, the plot can easily get lost. I appreciate the attention to detail and attempt at historical accuracy, but while I was expecting something more in line with Sharpe on horseback, the actual story seemed lost in the weeds. I didn't care much for the characters or what was happening to them and it just seemed to drag. I wasn't even enamored with the historical details either that often help you get lost in that world and time period. A bit of a disappointment. Probably won't continue with the series.
May 22, 2018
A ripping yarn in the old sense. There is plenty of very convincing action on the battlefield of Waterloo. I had a real feeling of being there. The author re-creates the time in impressive detail. However, the book falls short in a literary sense. The relationships Hervey has with a number of women could have been a lot more interesting. Jane Austen is referred to in the book but she could have done so much more with the characters. Everyone feels more at ease back on the battlefield. I intend to give the second book a try - but not just yet.
June 6, 2023
A fascinating exploration of the mindset of the privileged officer set in Britain's early 19th century army. Naturally, Hervey, the hero feels he personally is disadvantaged and it takes a chance remark of Wellington to remind the reader just how Hervey ranks in relation to the common herd.
What is most engaging is the author's familiarity with the handling of horses in the army of the time, a side to the story which expands upon the inevitable rivalries of different ranks in their quest to further their personal careers.
What is most engaging is the author's familiarity with the handling of horses in the army of the time, a side to the story which expands upon the inevitable rivalries of different ranks in their quest to further their personal careers.
October 31, 2020
This book was terrible. Less than half the book was devoted to Waterloo. I was expecting something that was full of action. Other than a skirmish in the opening chapter, there is no action or battle for over 120 pages. It was very boring. If you want to read historical fiction about the Napoleonic wars, I would recommend Cornwell’s novels about Sharpe. They are much better.
January 9, 2018
2013-05 - A Close Run Thing: A Novel of Wellington's Army of 1815 (Matthew Hervey Book 1) [Audiobook] Allan Mallinson (Author) Eric Graham (Narrator) Book = 2000. 320 Pages.
Not as good as Sharpe but still a good tale.
Not as good as Sharpe but still a good tale.
June 25, 2020
PRETTY GOOD. A little too British for my taste but certainly not bad. A hint of Ms Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice and a slightly smaller hint of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe. i could have done with more Sharpe and less P&P however...
January 11, 2022
Perfect reading. Couldn't out it down. Only to eat and sleep !!
A beautifully written page turner of the highest order. And I have 13 more books to go . Pure heaven!!!
A beautifully written page turner of the highest order. And I have 13 more books to go . Pure heaven!!!
February 28, 2025
The main character of Hervey comes across as a bit of a bore, lacking in personality, and almost too 'good' to be true... there's none of the roguish charm or devilish intrigue that makes the tale exciting....like wading through treacle.
November 18, 2025
pretty good. took a bit to trawl through the cavalry vocab at the start and I wanted to see more of the fiancé and her love of her pride and prejudice but solid all round. Will probs return to the series
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