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Flashman Papers #5
Flashman in the Great Game
Flashy's back in his raunchiest romp yet. Victiorian England's most notorious swashbuckling student is wrenched from his typical, pleasurable contemplation of indecent intentions and thrust headfirst into the middle of an Indian mutiny as a secret agent extraordinaire. Pity the insatiable Flash as he bumbles, cowers, and sidesteps his way around Russian spies, thug stranglers, and rampaging hordes of Sepoy mutineers only to meet his match in the voluptuous Princess Lakshmibai, the Imperial Jezebel of Jhansi, with an amorous appetite even more voracious than his own. Never has Flashman been forced to rise to so great a challenge - again and again and again...
393 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
135 people are currently reading
1251 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald Fraser
116 books689 followersGeorge MacDonald Fraser is best known for his Flashman series of historical novels, purportedly written by Harry Flashman, a fictional coward and bully originally created by Thomas Hughes in Tom Brown's School Days. The novels are presented as "packets" of memoirs written by the nonagenarian Flashman, who looks back on his days as a hero of the British Army during the 19th century. The series begins with Flashman, and is notable for the accuracy of the historical settings and praise from critics. P.G. Wodehouse said of Flashman, “If ever there was a time when I felt that ‘watcher-of-the-skies-when-a-new-planet’ stuff, it was when I read the first Flashman.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
February 25, 2024
Fraser's #5 Flashman, the one in which he finds out he is the star of a new novel titled 'Tom Brown's School Days' which is reaching popularity back home as he finally makes his way there from his latest escapades in India.
This time it is the Indian Mutiny of 1857 (or Indian Rebellion, depending on your viewpoint) that Flashman gets himself wrapped up in. But first a coincidental meeting with old 'acquaintance' Russian Count Ignatieff in England itself, where he is a guest on a hunt. Igntieff is also suspected of having been in India stirring up trouble for the British, possibly plotting insurrection. Jhansi, a former independent Princely state was a centre of concern, with its Maharani resisting British overtures to reach a settlement.
And so, Flashman get roped into a dual role, a diplomatic role to negotiate terms with the Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and a secret role to seek out Ignatieff should he turn up in India again, then take him out of the picture, as well as to report of any signs of the Sepoy insurrection.
As such, Flashman engages with the Rani, (once he finds out she isn't the 'old woman' described to him) in a full charm offensive, looking to bed her while making terms, and with a back plan to use his language skills and abilities of disguise to disappear and lay low should Ignatieff make an appearance.
Flashman does carry out both his plans, although the agreeing of terms with the Rani doesn't conclude before he must make himself scarce - disguised as a native cavalry recruit he joins the native forces in the garrison town of Meerut. Amongst the Hindu and Muslim soldiers he becomes aware of the stories circulating about pig and beef fat being used to grease gun cartridges and ground bones mixed in the flour in a supposed British plot to remove their castes and limit their religion. Flashman sees this and other mistreatments of the native troops, and sees trouble brewing.
Meerut was the flashpoint (no pun intended) of the uprising and Flashman escapes from there, but as we come to expect with Flashman, one dicing with death is not sufficient, and events conspire such that he is caught up in various major events of the mutiny including Cawnpore, where he caught up in the siege, the slaughter at Suttee Ghat, Lucknow, and then breaking his way into Jhansi, and being in Gwalior and the Battle of the Betwa!
Fraser is as masterful as ever at shoehorning Flashman into real life events, having him rub shoulders with the British officers in strict accordance with history and impeccably timing his story. I found this book more in depth with the setting - perhaps because so much is known of the events in question, and Fraser came across as having a deep knowledge of the politics of the mutiny, giving plenty of voice to the Indian side of the argument with their (often legitimate) grievances. There was a depth of violence and cruelty which came across as accurate and realistic, perpetuated by both sides, and while Flashman showed some sympathy the reader knew which side he was on, Fraser left the door open for the readers own view.
I thought this book stronger than some f the others I have read for these reasons.
5 stars
This time it is the Indian Mutiny of 1857 (or Indian Rebellion, depending on your viewpoint) that Flashman gets himself wrapped up in. But first a coincidental meeting with old 'acquaintance' Russian Count Ignatieff in England itself, where he is a guest on a hunt. Igntieff is also suspected of having been in India stirring up trouble for the British, possibly plotting insurrection. Jhansi, a former independent Princely state was a centre of concern, with its Maharani resisting British overtures to reach a settlement.
And so, Flashman get roped into a dual role, a diplomatic role to negotiate terms with the Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and a secret role to seek out Ignatieff should he turn up in India again, then take him out of the picture, as well as to report of any signs of the Sepoy insurrection.
As such, Flashman engages with the Rani, (once he finds out she isn't the 'old woman' described to him) in a full charm offensive, looking to bed her while making terms, and with a back plan to use his language skills and abilities of disguise to disappear and lay low should Ignatieff make an appearance.
Flashman does carry out both his plans, although the agreeing of terms with the Rani doesn't conclude before he must make himself scarce - disguised as a native cavalry recruit he joins the native forces in the garrison town of Meerut. Amongst the Hindu and Muslim soldiers he becomes aware of the stories circulating about pig and beef fat being used to grease gun cartridges and ground bones mixed in the flour in a supposed British plot to remove their castes and limit their religion. Flashman sees this and other mistreatments of the native troops, and sees trouble brewing.
Meerut was the flashpoint (no pun intended) of the uprising and Flashman escapes from there, but as we come to expect with Flashman, one dicing with death is not sufficient, and events conspire such that he is caught up in various major events of the mutiny including Cawnpore, where he caught up in the siege, the slaughter at Suttee Ghat, Lucknow, and then breaking his way into Jhansi, and being in Gwalior and the Battle of the Betwa!
Fraser is as masterful as ever at shoehorning Flashman into real life events, having him rub shoulders with the British officers in strict accordance with history and impeccably timing his story. I found this book more in depth with the setting - perhaps because so much is known of the events in question, and Fraser came across as having a deep knowledge of the politics of the mutiny, giving plenty of voice to the Indian side of the argument with their (often legitimate) grievances. There was a depth of violence and cruelty which came across as accurate and realistic, perpetuated by both sides, and while Flashman showed some sympathy the reader knew which side he was on, Fraser left the door open for the readers own view.
I thought this book stronger than some f the others I have read for these reasons.
5 stars
March 6, 2024
“I don’t know when I’ve been more embarrassed by my church and country. I’ve never been fool enough to confuse religion with a belief in God.” - Flashman’s thoughts as told by George MacDonald Fraser
“I would have found it amusing enough if I hadn’t been irritated that these irresponsible Christian zealots were only making things harder for the Army and Company. It was so foolish and unnecessary. The heathen creeds for all their nonsensical mumbo jumbo were as good as any for keeping the rabble in order. What else is religion for?” - Flashman’s thoughts as told by George MacDonald Fraser
“In any event, this misguided attempt to cure Hindu souls took place according to the religious intoxication of local commanders and was the most important cause of mischief that followed.” - Flashman’s thoughts as told by George MacDonald Fraser
*************
George MacDonald Fraser begins his fifth Flashman novel with the grizzled general aboard a train to Balmoral Castle following the 1901 death of Queen Victoria and reminiscing about the Indian Mutiny of 1857. He had been almost a lone survivor of the First Afghan War in 1842, and charged the Crimean gun batteries in 1854 with the Light Brigade, when he was called back to service by PM Palmerston. Fear of a sepoy uprising and a Russian invasion plan had Flashman dispatched to Bombay, after a near death encounter with his arch enemy Count Ignatieff on a hunting expedition in the Scottish highlands.
India is being modernized with telegraphs, railroads, schools and churches, and missionaries push to convert the Hindu faithful. Flash travels north to Jhansi to meet with the Rani Lakshmibai, a queen of a princely state in present day Uttar Pradesh. His mission is to report on a rumored uprising of Indian troops in the East India Company army and Russian political agents fomenting insurrection. The region is rife with bandits and thugs, raising Flash’s sense of alarm. The native troops had been exchanging chapati cakes, a secret code and bad omen. As Flash meets the Rani, a beautiful and seductive woman, the game is on.
The Rani was dispossessed of power, wealth and hereditary privileges by the Company. Her appeals to the Crown for a redress are ignored. Flash is in danger of assassination by Ignatieff’s thugs but orders from Palmerston are to dispose of him. On the run Flash joins the Meerut garrison disguised as a native cavalry recruit. He hopes to lie low and return to Britain safely, reporting Ignatieff slipped through his hands. Living with the mostly Muslim and high caste Hindu sepoys Flash begins to sense trouble brewing in the ranks. As usual he will find himself in the center of dangerous and infamous international events.
Beyond Christian proselytizing, Indian troops are mistreated by British officers. Stories circulate the flour is polluted with cow and pig bones, gun cartridges greased by animal fat. A war in Burma would require overseas travel, a taboo for the Hindu faith. Refusing to use their cartridges 85 soldiers are sent to prison and the regiment mutinies, burning Company bungalows and slaughtering the British men, women and children. The rebellion quickly spreads to Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow. Flash escapes from Meerut and he heads towards Kanpur, unaware of a siege about to occur as Mughal King Shah Zafar is declared emperor.
Flashman is true to his cowardly and chauvinistic character, portrayed vividly and comically by Fraser. He is like a cynical Zelig or Forrest Gump, turning up against his will at world changing conflicts, managing to save his own skin and come out on top. Fraser is an author of abundant wit and insight into the mindset of a mid 19th century British officer whose politically incorrect views verge on hilarity. In the series of twelve novels it can become a bit formulaic but the change of international settings and historical backgrounds make each one unique. Real life people from the past woven into the tale add another dimension.
“I would have found it amusing enough if I hadn’t been irritated that these irresponsible Christian zealots were only making things harder for the Army and Company. It was so foolish and unnecessary. The heathen creeds for all their nonsensical mumbo jumbo were as good as any for keeping the rabble in order. What else is religion for?” - Flashman’s thoughts as told by George MacDonald Fraser
“In any event, this misguided attempt to cure Hindu souls took place according to the religious intoxication of local commanders and was the most important cause of mischief that followed.” - Flashman’s thoughts as told by George MacDonald Fraser
*************
George MacDonald Fraser begins his fifth Flashman novel with the grizzled general aboard a train to Balmoral Castle following the 1901 death of Queen Victoria and reminiscing about the Indian Mutiny of 1857. He had been almost a lone survivor of the First Afghan War in 1842, and charged the Crimean gun batteries in 1854 with the Light Brigade, when he was called back to service by PM Palmerston. Fear of a sepoy uprising and a Russian invasion plan had Flashman dispatched to Bombay, after a near death encounter with his arch enemy Count Ignatieff on a hunting expedition in the Scottish highlands.
India is being modernized with telegraphs, railroads, schools and churches, and missionaries push to convert the Hindu faithful. Flash travels north to Jhansi to meet with the Rani Lakshmibai, a queen of a princely state in present day Uttar Pradesh. His mission is to report on a rumored uprising of Indian troops in the East India Company army and Russian political agents fomenting insurrection. The region is rife with bandits and thugs, raising Flash’s sense of alarm. The native troops had been exchanging chapati cakes, a secret code and bad omen. As Flash meets the Rani, a beautiful and seductive woman, the game is on.
The Rani was dispossessed of power, wealth and hereditary privileges by the Company. Her appeals to the Crown for a redress are ignored. Flash is in danger of assassination by Ignatieff’s thugs but orders from Palmerston are to dispose of him. On the run Flash joins the Meerut garrison disguised as a native cavalry recruit. He hopes to lie low and return to Britain safely, reporting Ignatieff slipped through his hands. Living with the mostly Muslim and high caste Hindu sepoys Flash begins to sense trouble brewing in the ranks. As usual he will find himself in the center of dangerous and infamous international events.
Beyond Christian proselytizing, Indian troops are mistreated by British officers. Stories circulate the flour is polluted with cow and pig bones, gun cartridges greased by animal fat. A war in Burma would require overseas travel, a taboo for the Hindu faith. Refusing to use their cartridges 85 soldiers are sent to prison and the regiment mutinies, burning Company bungalows and slaughtering the British men, women and children. The rebellion quickly spreads to Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow. Flash escapes from Meerut and he heads towards Kanpur, unaware of a siege about to occur as Mughal King Shah Zafar is declared emperor.
Flashman is true to his cowardly and chauvinistic character, portrayed vividly and comically by Fraser. He is like a cynical Zelig or Forrest Gump, turning up against his will at world changing conflicts, managing to save his own skin and come out on top. Fraser is an author of abundant wit and insight into the mindset of a mid 19th century British officer whose politically incorrect views verge on hilarity. In the series of twelve novels it can become a bit formulaic but the change of international settings and historical backgrounds make each one unique. Real life people from the past woven into the tale add another dimension.
September 3, 2015
It is difficult to classify this one in the 'Flashman' series. On the one side, this is a book in which Flashman seems more human what with his rational look into the native soldier's grievances and falling in love with a Rani (which is very unusual) and the unfolding of events during that grim years of 1857, 'Flashman in the Great game' seems a little out of place with all the other bawdy adventures of Flashman.
Nonetheless, it is a must read as Fraser tries to balance the view of the British towards the 'Mutiny' as they call it with the genuine grievances of the native soldier which caused the bloody rising in the first place. However, the 1857 events generate so much polarized views (with we Indians terming it 'The first war of Independence' versus the British terming it a mutiny), it took a lot for me to adjust to the contrarian views against what has been imbibed in me over the years.
The Rani of Jhansi has been a great patriot and over these years, I have always thought of her only from that mono-chromatic view. So it is a little shocking to read of her as a young princess with a fiery disposition and actual feelings. Probably this is the first time I read of her as a woman as well. We've put her in a pedestal that it is difficult to think of her other than a matured lady in a mail shirt with a kid on her back and sword on her hand.
That aside, the events of the 1857 war of independence is of such brutality on both sides that it is difficult to take an objective view of it at all. I started reading with that misgiving knowing where Flashman's sympathies will lie. In a way, that made it easier to observe Flashman's critiques on the behavior on both sides. I would hesitate to call it neutral, but it is not so lopsided as well.
As many have pointed out, while Flashman goes through his whore-mongering at will here as well, he also shows his softness for once towards his feelings for Lakshmibai. Mercifully, there is not much of mooning over it and he gets over it pretty fast and get on with his adventures.
Overall, with a good deal of history and comparatively less bawdier than the other installments, the book is still a must read for anyone who wish learn a little about the 1857 events or just an adventure set in the British raj.
Nonetheless, it is a must read as Fraser tries to balance the view of the British towards the 'Mutiny' as they call it with the genuine grievances of the native soldier which caused the bloody rising in the first place. However, the 1857 events generate so much polarized views (with we Indians terming it 'The first war of Independence' versus the British terming it a mutiny), it took a lot for me to adjust to the contrarian views against what has been imbibed in me over the years.
The Rani of Jhansi has been a great patriot and over these years, I have always thought of her only from that mono-chromatic view. So it is a little shocking to read of her as a young princess with a fiery disposition and actual feelings. Probably this is the first time I read of her as a woman as well. We've put her in a pedestal that it is difficult to think of her other than a matured lady in a mail shirt with a kid on her back and sword on her hand.
That aside, the events of the 1857 war of independence is of such brutality on both sides that it is difficult to take an objective view of it at all. I started reading with that misgiving knowing where Flashman's sympathies will lie. In a way, that made it easier to observe Flashman's critiques on the behavior on both sides. I would hesitate to call it neutral, but it is not so lopsided as well.
As many have pointed out, while Flashman goes through his whore-mongering at will here as well, he also shows his softness for once towards his feelings for Lakshmibai. Mercifully, there is not much of mooning over it and he gets over it pretty fast and get on with his adventures.
Overall, with a good deal of history and comparatively less bawdier than the other installments, the book is still a must read for anyone who wish learn a little about the 1857 events or just an adventure set in the British raj.
November 8, 2016
Flashy just gets worse. Or better. Depending on your point of view.
Okay it's about as far from PC as you can get. And if that is going to bother you give the Flashman oeuvre a miss. But you will be missing a real laugh out loud treat.
Humour underpinned with scholarship. It's a mixture I find irresistible.
Okay it's about as far from PC as you can get. And if that is going to bother you give the Flashman oeuvre a miss. But you will be missing a real laugh out loud treat.
Humour underpinned with scholarship. It's a mixture I find irresistible.
November 2, 2013
The fifth Flashman novel takes place from 1856-58, and sends our “hero” back to where his career began: India. Poor Flashy is sent to investigate (and suppress) grumbling among the native ranks, but ends up smack dab in the middle of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. If you’ve made it this far into the series, chances are you are a fellow Flashman fanatic, so I won’t waste time preaching to the converted. I am happy to report that readers who enjoyed the first four books will not be disappointed.
One of my very favorite things about the Flashman series is the well-researched history on display. While the books are enormously entertaining, I always end up learning something between the adventures and the laughs. This book was no exception, as I knew absolutely nothing about the 1857 rebellion, which was a significant episode in Indian history that marked the shift from East India Company control of the subcontinent to the British Raj. As usual, Flashman is thrust into the heart of major historical events, from the outbreak of mutiny at Meerut (native soldiers objected to new cartridges which they believed were greased with pig fat, the biting of which was against their religion) to the disastrous Siege of Cawnpore.
There are the usual adventures and misadventures, both perilous and raunchy, that are par for the course in this series. There is plenty of humor on display as well, although I did notice a slight change in tone from earlier Flashman books. I have heard some readers say that Flashman softens a bit as the series goes on, and I detected a bit of that here. In the first book Flashy is a true bastard, but in this entry he’s…well, he’s still a bastard, but he’s a kinder, gentler bastard. He falls for the love interest much harder than in the previous novels, and there are a few times when he shows actual compassion for other human beings. Personally, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, but it was noticeable.
Flashman and the Great Game closes with a fantastic (and very funny) surprise: . It’s a great ending to another very strong entry in the Flashman series. 4.5 stars, highly recommended!
One of my very favorite things about the Flashman series is the well-researched history on display. While the books are enormously entertaining, I always end up learning something between the adventures and the laughs. This book was no exception, as I knew absolutely nothing about the 1857 rebellion, which was a significant episode in Indian history that marked the shift from East India Company control of the subcontinent to the British Raj. As usual, Flashman is thrust into the heart of major historical events, from the outbreak of mutiny at Meerut (native soldiers objected to new cartridges which they believed were greased with pig fat, the biting of which was against their religion) to the disastrous Siege of Cawnpore.
There are the usual adventures and misadventures, both perilous and raunchy, that are par for the course in this series. There is plenty of humor on display as well, although I did notice a slight change in tone from earlier Flashman books. I have heard some readers say that Flashman softens a bit as the series goes on, and I detected a bit of that here. In the first book Flashy is a true bastard, but in this entry he’s…well, he’s still a bastard, but he’s a kinder, gentler bastard. He falls for the love interest much harder than in the previous novels, and there are a few times when he shows actual compassion for other human beings. Personally, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, but it was noticeable.
Flashman and the Great Game closes with a fantastic (and very funny) surprise: . It’s a great ending to another very strong entry in the Flashman series. 4.5 stars, highly recommended!
April 19, 2021
George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman in the Great Game is the fifth installment in the long-running series about Victorian coward-turned-hero Harry Flashman, always bumbling through the British Empire's wars and intrigues to greater glory. This installment focuses on the Indian Mutiny, a subject so portentous and horrifying in its details that Fraser mutes much of Flashy's usual caddish behavior. What's left instead is a gripping, surprisingly sober portrait of India under the Raj, with arrogant colonial officials, single-minded soldiers, Russian spies, Indian bureaucrats and exasperated nationalists jostling for power until the situation explodes. Fraser's biggest triumph is his layered, dignified portrait of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, still an Indian nationalist heroine in real life, and portrayed here with more dimension and sympathy than Fraser generally grants women or foreign potentates. Notably, Fraser gives her eloquent speeches denouncing the British and defending her country's sovereignty that the flustered Flashman barely bothers to answer. Fraser's main historical license is exaggerating Russia's role in sparking the mutiny, with historical spy Count Nicholas Ignatiev (re-imagined as a matinee villain with a multi-colored eye!) exploiting Indian grievances to the Tsar's advantage in the Great Game. Which matters less than Fraser's alternately thrilling and horrifying accounts of the Mutiny's key set pieces, including the Siege of Cawnpore, the Relief of Lucknow, the fighting at Jhansi and Flashman narrowly escaping being blasted from the mouth of a cannon. One of the series' highpoints, proof if nothing else that Fraser was a genuinely gifted writer beyond his skill for genre pastiche.
June 6, 2025
I realize I'm an outlier here, but this wasn't really my favorite Flashman story. I know that publication-wise, this was written a full 15 years before Flashy's other epic Indian adventure, Flashman and the Mountain of Light, but historically it takes place a decade after that story…and since I read them chronologically and probably too close to each other (finishing Mountain just five months ago), I just found both books a bit too similar, and so prefer the freshness of the one I read first — even though it was probably the "lesser" historical event.
As with several other books in the series (I'm looking at you, Flashman's Lady), here again we have an achingly slow Act I, involving a wholly unnecessary side story that brings back Count Ignatieff from the previous book, Flashman at the Charge. Soon after, the story proper begins as Flash heads back to India (again) on a political mission (again) involving a ravishing — and soon-to-be-ravished — Indian princess (again); before ultimately finding himself at the center of the Indian Mutiny, a truly monstrous piece of colonial history on both sides.
As usual, Fraser shines brightest when describing war and its associated horrors — it's easy to forget sometimes just what a good action writer Fraser is. In this case, however, when you include the months leading up to the Mutiny itself, the overall story plays out over nearly two years, and so in order to set up Flashman for multiple Gumpian "right place at the right time" appearances, Fraser on several occasions has him languishing in prison or recuperating from various injuries for months at a time — a difficult literary trick for an adventure yarn, and one he pulls off with only mixed success.
Still, a solid 3+ story, which I'm rounding down just so it slots in with the other (and for me, better) Flashman's I've read. And that now leaves just Royal Flash, Flash for Freedom! and Flashman and the Redskins left unread…although I have far less interest in the historical events covered in those books, and so if I ever get to them at all, it probably won't be for some time.
A FINAL KVETCH: the title here is totally misleading; this story has NOTHING to do with "The Great Game" as generally understood, as the Mutiny is not considered part of that conflict, which dealt much more with Russian/British intrigue in Central (vs. South) Asia; and so Fraser's attempt to link Russian involvement to the uprising as a peripheral aspect of "the Game" is forced at best. While a true historical figure, Count Ignatieff — who returns briefly at the end of the book — had no known connection to the Mutiny; and so again, a rare historical error (or at least exaggeration) on Fraser's part.
As I've noted in previous reviews, there are so many other contemporary stories Flashman could have appeared in rather than constantly returning to India — Flashman at Gettysburg or marching with Sherman; with Maximillian in Mexico or Gordon in the Sudan or Stanley in the Congo; or as a pundit in Tibet during the REAL "Great Game," to name just a few. But probably none of those settings or events offered a suitably sexy real-life female character with whom Flashy could, well, "be Flashy"…and so at this point these remain stories that will likely never be told :(
As with several other books in the series (I'm looking at you, Flashman's Lady), here again we have an achingly slow Act I, involving a wholly unnecessary side story that brings back Count Ignatieff from the previous book, Flashman at the Charge. Soon after, the story proper begins as Flash heads back to India (again) on a political mission (again) involving a ravishing — and soon-to-be-ravished — Indian princess (again); before ultimately finding himself at the center of the Indian Mutiny, a truly monstrous piece of colonial history on both sides.
As usual, Fraser shines brightest when describing war and its associated horrors — it's easy to forget sometimes just what a good action writer Fraser is. In this case, however, when you include the months leading up to the Mutiny itself, the overall story plays out over nearly two years, and so in order to set up Flashman for multiple Gumpian "right place at the right time" appearances, Fraser on several occasions has him languishing in prison or recuperating from various injuries for months at a time — a difficult literary trick for an adventure yarn, and one he pulls off with only mixed success.
Still, a solid 3+ story, which I'm rounding down just so it slots in with the other (and for me, better) Flashman's I've read. And that now leaves just Royal Flash, Flash for Freedom! and Flashman and the Redskins left unread…although I have far less interest in the historical events covered in those books, and so if I ever get to them at all, it probably won't be for some time.
A FINAL KVETCH: the title here is totally misleading; this story has NOTHING to do with "The Great Game" as generally understood, as the Mutiny is not considered part of that conflict, which dealt much more with Russian/British intrigue in Central (vs. South) Asia; and so Fraser's attempt to link Russian involvement to the uprising as a peripheral aspect of "the Game" is forced at best. While a true historical figure, Count Ignatieff — who returns briefly at the end of the book — had no known connection to the Mutiny; and so again, a rare historical error (or at least exaggeration) on Fraser's part.
As I've noted in previous reviews, there are so many other contemporary stories Flashman could have appeared in rather than constantly returning to India — Flashman at Gettysburg or marching with Sherman; with Maximillian in Mexico or Gordon in the Sudan or Stanley in the Congo; or as a pundit in Tibet during the REAL "Great Game," to name just a few. But probably none of those settings or events offered a suitably sexy real-life female character with whom Flashy could, well, "be Flashy"…and so at this point these remain stories that will likely never be told :(
September 22, 2025
Otra novela más de Flashman, ya no te convence su carácter canalla y cobarde, pero te describe bastante bien las guerras de la Gran Bretaña colonial del siglo XIX, que no se escribe mucho en los libros españoles. Este trata de la famosa rebelión de los cipayos y el escritor, aparte de describirlo de una manera muy amena y fiable, ha tenido la gentileza de no dividir a los contendientes en buenos y malos, ya que si por una parte los cipayos cometieron toda clase de desmanes con los ingleses, incluyendo sus esposas e hijos, no fue menos las crueles represalias que cometieron después los británicos con los prisioneros, tantos amotinados cipayos como contra la población civil
June 27, 2011
Sometimes I'm annoyed at the contrivance of inserting a fictional character into famous historical events, but with Flashman it works very well. I'm totally willing to believe that he got caught up in the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or India's First War of Independence, depending on your point of view) and lived to tell the tale - including surviving the Siege of Cawnpore and subsequent massacre.
Flashy is just as arrogant, cowardly and lecherous as ever; and just as wry an observer of human nature. The subject matter does make this episode darker than most. Flashman's selfish nature is toned down a bit as he's genuinely disturbed by the atrocities he witnesses.
A fascinating, informative, and hilarious read, as always with this great set of books.
Flashy is just as arrogant, cowardly and lecherous as ever; and just as wry an observer of human nature. The subject matter does make this episode darker than most. Flashman's selfish nature is toned down a bit as he's genuinely disturbed by the atrocities he witnesses.
A fascinating, informative, and hilarious read, as always with this great set of books.
February 17, 2016
Andrew Ward begins his great study of the Cawnpore massacre, Our Bones Are Scattered, with the following observation: __To write about the British in India is to ask what they were doing there.__
Fraser was a satirist, but he was also an empiricist. He never asks this fundamental question, and yes, this is a burlesque, but it is a burlesque of actual history.
Paradoxically, I recommend this book to others while personally struggling with its shortcomings. Why? Well, it is a thundering good read when taken on its own, and I certainly wouldn__t deprive anyone who is taking on the Flashman saga from missing this episode, but from the perspective of both a writer and someone who knows a little about this particular episode of history, I find it wanting in numerous ways.
First is how Fraser picks up the story from the preceding book. Yes, each of the Flashman novels is meant to be self-contained, and therefore Fraser may be forgiven for writing a lengthy (and not uninteresting in itself) prologue before getting on to the main adventure, but when read after Flashman at the Charge, all the momentum of that chronologically-preceding book is lost. What happened to __Scud__ East? Where__s the scene where Flashman realizes he__s not going to be a national hero for saving India?__For Britain and from Russia, that is. (A prime piece of irony in that the one episode of pure bravery on Flashman__s part__no matter now drug-induced__gains him nothing, but that he continues to be lionized for acts of bravery which he didn__t really do.) Much too little is made of his accomplishments of the preceding book.
Instead we__re treated to an extensive prelude that exists only to set up the rest of the book: You don__t buy Flashman eventually going undercover in India if Fraser doesn__t impress upon the reader Flashman__s fear of Count Ignatieff__who then disappears from the remainder of the book except for a brief tease of a scene toward the end that serves only to upend our expectations for a short time and to remind us of who got Flashman into all his troubles in the first place. It__s . . . thin.
Then there is his portrait of the Rani of Jhansi. The problem she presents Fraser is what he needs her to be in order for the book to work versus how she is best remembered by history. He splits the difference by making her an enigma__and if you don__t get what he__s doing here, he provides a final endnote leaving the contradiction up to the reader to decide. It__s effective in its way__it certainly propels the plot and is written in such a way as not to offend anyone who might hold her as a national heroine, but it leaves her opaque and . . . thin. She doesn__t come across as real; she__s as much a plot device as Count Ignatieff.
Finally, the mechanics of the storytelling are blatantly obvious to me: Every decision Flashman makes is the wrong one, taking him deeper and deeper into trouble. Yes, I know it__s necessary and it__s really the raison d___tre for the Flashman novels . . . but it destroys the illusion. It doesn__t feel organic, it feels forced.
One final observation. Anyone reading my reviews knows that besides my appraisal, I will often mention some aspect of the art of writing that the book at hand made me think of. In this case, I was reminded of someone else__s observations about the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. (Sorry, I can__t cite when and where I read it.) The essayist pointed out Burroughs__ reliance on the chase-capture-escape/rescue recipe in concocting his fiction, which I hadn__t actually thought of when I read them, but is obvious in hindsight. It was while reading Flashman and the Great Game that I realized Fraser uses the exact same formula__only he uses it to illuminate history, whereas Burroughs used it to fuel his imagination. In the cold light of day, it__s equally improbable either author__s heroes would survive such events, but it__s Fraser__s attention to historical detail and the wildness of Burroughs__ imagination that make the trope work.
(And despite how two stars ?? is perceived here, I do recommend this book__as I do all the Flashman books__only with reservations.)
Fraser was a satirist, but he was also an empiricist. He never asks this fundamental question, and yes, this is a burlesque, but it is a burlesque of actual history.
Paradoxically, I recommend this book to others while personally struggling with its shortcomings. Why? Well, it is a thundering good read when taken on its own, and I certainly wouldn__t deprive anyone who is taking on the Flashman saga from missing this episode, but from the perspective of both a writer and someone who knows a little about this particular episode of history, I find it wanting in numerous ways.
First is how Fraser picks up the story from the preceding book. Yes, each of the Flashman novels is meant to be self-contained, and therefore Fraser may be forgiven for writing a lengthy (and not uninteresting in itself) prologue before getting on to the main adventure, but when read after Flashman at the Charge, all the momentum of that chronologically-preceding book is lost. What happened to __Scud__ East? Where__s the scene where Flashman realizes he__s not going to be a national hero for saving India?__For Britain and from Russia, that is. (A prime piece of irony in that the one episode of pure bravery on Flashman__s part__no matter now drug-induced__gains him nothing, but that he continues to be lionized for acts of bravery which he didn__t really do.) Much too little is made of his accomplishments of the preceding book.
Instead we__re treated to an extensive prelude that exists only to set up the rest of the book: You don__t buy Flashman eventually going undercover in India if Fraser doesn__t impress upon the reader Flashman__s fear of Count Ignatieff__who then disappears from the remainder of the book except for a brief tease of a scene toward the end that serves only to upend our expectations for a short time and to remind us of who got Flashman into all his troubles in the first place. It__s . . . thin.
Then there is his portrait of the Rani of Jhansi. The problem she presents Fraser is what he needs her to be in order for the book to work versus how she is best remembered by history. He splits the difference by making her an enigma__and if you don__t get what he__s doing here, he provides a final endnote leaving the contradiction up to the reader to decide. It__s effective in its way__it certainly propels the plot and is written in such a way as not to offend anyone who might hold her as a national heroine, but it leaves her opaque and . . . thin. She doesn__t come across as real; she__s as much a plot device as Count Ignatieff.
Finally, the mechanics of the storytelling are blatantly obvious to me: Every decision Flashman makes is the wrong one, taking him deeper and deeper into trouble. Yes, I know it__s necessary and it__s really the raison d___tre for the Flashman novels . . . but it destroys the illusion. It doesn__t feel organic, it feels forced.
One final observation. Anyone reading my reviews knows that besides my appraisal, I will often mention some aspect of the art of writing that the book at hand made me think of. In this case, I was reminded of someone else__s observations about the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. (Sorry, I can__t cite when and where I read it.) The essayist pointed out Burroughs__ reliance on the chase-capture-escape/rescue recipe in concocting his fiction, which I hadn__t actually thought of when I read them, but is obvious in hindsight. It was while reading Flashman and the Great Game that I realized Fraser uses the exact same formula__only he uses it to illuminate history, whereas Burroughs used it to fuel his imagination. In the cold light of day, it__s equally improbable either author__s heroes would survive such events, but it__s Fraser__s attention to historical detail and the wildness of Burroughs__ imagination that make the trope work.
(And despite how two stars ?? is perceived here, I do recommend this book__as I do all the Flashman books__only with reservations.)
October 20, 2014
My personal favourite outing for George McDonald Fraser's eponymous cad pitches the one time bully of Tom Brown's School Days into the maelstrom of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (the Victorians preferred to call it a Mutiny because it sounded nicer). Flashman is as lacivious and cowardly as ever but finds himself repeatedly forced to fight for his life amid the unfolding carnage. Fraser proves himself as much a master of battle scenes as he is of comedy and also manages the difficult trick of maintaining the laugh quotient whilst providing an unflinching look at an often horrifyingly dark episode in British and Indian history. One for history and humour buffs alike.
December 17, 2023
One of the best Flashman novels. A great escape from regular historical reading.
May 13, 2023
I do believe the Flashman books possess my No. 1 favourite narrative voice of everything I've ever read. By extension, Fraser then becomes one of my favourite prose authors. He's just that good - every line is so well constructed/delivered, whether it be humorous or harrowing.
I have to say, though, I swear there's even more N-words in this story of the Indian Rebellion than in Flash for Freedom, which focused on American slavery.
NB. Please ignore the blurb. "...only to meet his match in the voluptuous Princess Lakshmibai, the Imperial Jezebel of Jhansi, with an amorous appetite even more voracious than his own. Never has Flashman been forced to rise to so great a challenge - again and again and again..." - is a load of nonsense that makes the book seem far more of a bawdy farce than it is. He only has sex with her 0-1 times in the entire book. I wish blurb writers would be accurate, even if it's at the expense of titillation.
I have to say, though, I swear there's even more N-words in this story of the Indian Rebellion than in Flash for Freedom, which focused on American slavery.
NB. Please ignore the blurb. "...only to meet his match in the voluptuous Princess Lakshmibai, the Imperial Jezebel of Jhansi, with an amorous appetite even more voracious than his own. Never has Flashman been forced to rise to so great a challenge - again and again and again..." - is a load of nonsense that makes the book seem far more of a bawdy farce than it is. He only has sex with her 0-1 times in the entire book. I wish blurb writers would be accurate, even if it's at the expense of titillation.
January 14, 2025
Probably the best book of the series. Following Flashman, you get to see the Indian Mutiny from a plethora of perspectives and he is very honest in his opinions of all sides, including very colourful language. The adventures are fun and exciting and the side characters are always interesting. He really needs to retire at this point.
July 20, 2010
The Great Game usually refers to jockeying between the Russians and the British for control of Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia. While that's a factor in Fraser's fifth outing with Flashman, the action and historical detail of the book center more around the Sepoy Rebellion, in which terrible atrocities were committed by both the Indians and the British colonialists.
Flashman describes them all. As usual, footnotes provide entertaining and illuminating commentary on the historical accuracy of his descriptions. The plot here is faster moving, packed with more history and less silly than some of the other books in the Flashman series. For example, Flashman isn't successful with every woman he sees and attempts to seduce. As usual, there's not a lot for the defenders of political correctness to like.
Most of the reviewers on this site, me included, observe that the entire Flashman series is politically incorrect under current standards for these things. Of course we do this to distance ourselves from Flashman's behavior and attitudes. But politcal correctness is akin to the Efficient Markets Hypothesis. The more everyone else zigs, the more you should zag. Parallel to the Efficient Markets Paradox, we introduce the Politcal Correctness Paradox: politcally correct speech and actions in the extreme malign the groups they attempt to protect. The only antidote is unsparing accuracy and transparency, and Flashman offers those in spades, at least to us, his readers. To his contemporaries, he's a complete toady and bully, which is the entire fun. The contrast sheds a lot of light on the institutionalized hypocrisy of Flashman's times, and by extension, ours.
If you're curious about George Macdonald Fraser's own point of view, here's an article he published just before he died in 2008.
Flashman describes them all. As usual, footnotes provide entertaining and illuminating commentary on the historical accuracy of his descriptions. The plot here is faster moving, packed with more history and less silly than some of the other books in the Flashman series. For example, Flashman isn't successful with every woman he sees and attempts to seduce. As usual, there's not a lot for the defenders of political correctness to like.
Most of the reviewers on this site, me included, observe that the entire Flashman series is politically incorrect under current standards for these things. Of course we do this to distance ourselves from Flashman's behavior and attitudes. But politcal correctness is akin to the Efficient Markets Hypothesis. The more everyone else zigs, the more you should zag. Parallel to the Efficient Markets Paradox, we introduce the Politcal Correctness Paradox: politcally correct speech and actions in the extreme malign the groups they attempt to protect. The only antidote is unsparing accuracy and transparency, and Flashman offers those in spades, at least to us, his readers. To his contemporaries, he's a complete toady and bully, which is the entire fun. The contrast sheds a lot of light on the institutionalized hypocrisy of Flashman's times, and by extension, ours.
If you're curious about George Macdonald Fraser's own point of view, here's an article he published just before he died in 2008.
July 29, 2022
Why do we like Flashman? He scorns the prayers of Brown, East, and all.
January 31, 2012
In 1856, Flashy is once again dragooned --- this time not as a direct result of some peccadillo on his part --- by Palmerston himself to go to India and keep an eye on possibly mutiny brewing there, fomented by Flashy’s old nemesis, Count Ignatieff.
Like all the other Flash books, this is a thoroughly researched piece of historical fiction, from the personalities of the great (and not so great) commanders of the day, down to the details of the daring exploits of the (not so) common soldier. Like its predecessors, this book is rife with wit, debauchery, wry observations on war and empire, and a few laughs at our hero’s expense. This volume does, however, depart from the other books in two major ways, in my opinion. The first is tone: where before I got the sense that Flash was so selfish and sadistic he was removed from the carnage he witnesses, in the Mutiny I got the sense that Flash (or Fraser, unable to hide himself behind his character) was moved by the massacres. Flash lets emotion creep in to the point of not just leaping in to rescue (!) a British couple, but to ruminate on the morality of the British retribution. Secondly, in this book Flashman is more propelled along by events rather than (even unwillingly and unknowingly) influencing them, as he has before, goading Raglan into ordering the charge of the Light Brigade or managing to repel Russian invasion of India, for example. All this is simple observation, not criticism; the quality of Flashman’s exploits here in no way disappoints.
Like all the other Flash books, this is a thoroughly researched piece of historical fiction, from the personalities of the great (and not so great) commanders of the day, down to the details of the daring exploits of the (not so) common soldier. Like its predecessors, this book is rife with wit, debauchery, wry observations on war and empire, and a few laughs at our hero’s expense. This volume does, however, depart from the other books in two major ways, in my opinion. The first is tone: where before I got the sense that Flash was so selfish and sadistic he was removed from the carnage he witnesses, in the Mutiny I got the sense that Flash (or Fraser, unable to hide himself behind his character) was moved by the massacres. Flash lets emotion creep in to the point of not just leaping in to rescue (!) a British couple, but to ruminate on the morality of the British retribution. Secondly, in this book Flashman is more propelled along by events rather than (even unwillingly and unknowingly) influencing them, as he has before, goading Raglan into ordering the charge of the Light Brigade or managing to repel Russian invasion of India, for example. All this is simple observation, not criticism; the quality of Flashman’s exploits here in no way disappoints.
August 19, 2013
No need to change a winning technique - same style is used. Starts with Flashman in the UK getting his assignment - this time whilst in Queen Victoria's company at Balmoral and then heading off to a key event in the 19 Century - getting involved in the all the key action. The author uses the process to entertain and educate and it works wonderfully.
Initially, this is Flashy sent to India in a counter intelligence position as his old foe from the last book - Nicholas Ignatieff - is agitating the locals. As predicted in the last book.
However, the key action is the Indian uprising of the mid 1850s. Its so well done. The locals had their greivances - mainly religious - but the book also does well at articulating the horror of what they did - espeically at Lucknow. It doesnt stop their - the UK forces were just as bad in their reprisals. George MacDonald Fraser just presents the facts - using the humour of Flashman, who despite his faults, always has totally humanitairan views. Even if his choice of language is less than acceptable.
But everything is balanced in these books. Flashman's wife - Elspeth - is as bad as he is. The Indiands butchered women and children but the english wanted to dole out justice with in the most barbaric fashion.
In a new device, the author comments on a real life painting and points out that Flashman is in it - mounted on a horse with his arm aloft. You can google the painting and see him there. Thats fact and fiction combining.
Another adventure perfectly and entertainingly detailed.
Initially, this is Flashy sent to India in a counter intelligence position as his old foe from the last book - Nicholas Ignatieff - is agitating the locals. As predicted in the last book.
However, the key action is the Indian uprising of the mid 1850s. Its so well done. The locals had their greivances - mainly religious - but the book also does well at articulating the horror of what they did - espeically at Lucknow. It doesnt stop their - the UK forces were just as bad in their reprisals. George MacDonald Fraser just presents the facts - using the humour of Flashman, who despite his faults, always has totally humanitairan views. Even if his choice of language is less than acceptable.
But everything is balanced in these books. Flashman's wife - Elspeth - is as bad as he is. The Indiands butchered women and children but the english wanted to dole out justice with in the most barbaric fashion.
In a new device, the author comments on a real life painting and points out that Flashman is in it - mounted on a horse with his arm aloft. You can google the painting and see him there. Thats fact and fiction combining.
Another adventure perfectly and entertainingly detailed.
March 26, 2016
This is possibly the most serious Flashman I've read yet. Sure there's plenty of tomfoolery and fornication as per usual from our Victorian 'hero' but once the Indian mutiny kicks off there are some stark brutal descriptions of the bloodbath that followed.
Its pretty clear that awful atrocities were committed by both sides and Fraser doesn't hold back in giving the reader a clear picture of the chaotic slaughtering that transpired.
In the foreground there was also some rudimentary (well compared to modern day tactics) espionage as Flashy plays his own part in the 'great game' between Russia and Britain as he comes face to face with the same Russian agent that plagued him in Flashman at the Charge.
Once again with the Flashman series the level of historical detail in this novel is highly impressive and well researched.
Its pretty clear that awful atrocities were committed by both sides and Fraser doesn't hold back in giving the reader a clear picture of the chaotic slaughtering that transpired.
In the foreground there was also some rudimentary (well compared to modern day tactics) espionage as Flashy plays his own part in the 'great game' between Russia and Britain as he comes face to face with the same Russian agent that plagued him in Flashman at the Charge.
Once again with the Flashman series the level of historical detail in this novel is highly impressive and well researched.
January 8, 2012
Closely on the heels of my favorite Flash (Flashman at the Charge) is this, my least favorite. Flashy's indomitable cowardice and ridiculous predicaments can't compensate for the rivers of blood and horrendous atrocities of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. There are still some good bits (his escort of Thomas Henry Kavanagh through the midnight streets of Lucknow is pretty funny), and of course the historical details are as always excellent, but even Flash seems sobered and (at least momentarily) appalled by what he's been through. This one I won't be reading again, it's just too intense.
February 15, 2024
The fifth book in the Flashman series and probably the most emotionally resonant so far. I didn't know very much about the Indian Rebellion of 1857 when I started reading this so I was unprepared for the audacity of that event. Fraser goes to great lengths to balance the story between Flashman's incorrigible escapades and the darker plot points that ensue and I think he is mostly successful, though it is quite a task trying to even out the horrors of colonialist violence. In the end, because of the subject matter and Fraser's handling of the material this book is a little different from the others: more emotional, more invested in Flashman's empathetic view of his circumstances, and a little less silly. If any could be called a mature Flashman novel this would probably be it.
February 8, 2021
As with all Flashman books, if you like one, you'll like the rest...But this wasn't my fave!
April 5, 2015
G. M. Fraser's Flashman in the Great Game is probably, to date, the best in the series.
Here Flashman has been caught up in the 1857 Indian Mutiny, as it is popularly referred as.
There are moments of Flashman's loathsome, but endearing, humor, for the most part, however, the brutality of the Mutiny, on both sides, is front and center. Many will cringe at the barbarity but Mr. Fraser has attempted to stay as honest and insightful as is humanly possible when dealing with such a contentious topic.
In an age of post post-colonialism it is difficult to look back on the British Empire, or the American for the matter, without a reflexive cringe, but at the same time it is a fascinating period. The first global economy emerged during the the period of British Imperialism and the values, for the most part, that would become a central feature of our own nascent global civilization were given voice by the Imperial Age.
These sentiments have been hotly debated and they will continue to be. Europeans, and those of European descent, will argue for the civilizing influence of the Empire while those of non-European descent, especially those whose ancestors were subjected to its 'tender' mercies, will argue for its barbarities -- which are on full display in the Flashman books...though Fraser attempts to be balanced in his reading of this part of British history.
This dialectic will not see its conclusion any time soon. The origins of this, obviously enough, are to be found in history and, perhaps, resentment at the European success stories, and those of many of its former colonies.
Nonetheless, Flashman in the Great Game is a rousing good story that has been well handled by the author and may encourage an interesting debate about the Indian Mutiny and what place in world history it is to occupy.
Recommended for readers of historical fiction, adventure/action aficionados, and enthusiasts of the comic novel. Social justice warriors looking for something else to rail about on Twitter might enjoy Flashman in the Great Game for the cathartic, auto-erotic rage it will inspire.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Here Flashman has been caught up in the 1857 Indian Mutiny, as it is popularly referred as.
There are moments of Flashman's loathsome, but endearing, humor, for the most part, however, the brutality of the Mutiny, on both sides, is front and center. Many will cringe at the barbarity but Mr. Fraser has attempted to stay as honest and insightful as is humanly possible when dealing with such a contentious topic.
In an age of post post-colonialism it is difficult to look back on the British Empire, or the American for the matter, without a reflexive cringe, but at the same time it is a fascinating period. The first global economy emerged during the the period of British Imperialism and the values, for the most part, that would become a central feature of our own nascent global civilization were given voice by the Imperial Age.
These sentiments have been hotly debated and they will continue to be. Europeans, and those of European descent, will argue for the civilizing influence of the Empire while those of non-European descent, especially those whose ancestors were subjected to its 'tender' mercies, will argue for its barbarities -- which are on full display in the Flashman books...though Fraser attempts to be balanced in his reading of this part of British history.
This dialectic will not see its conclusion any time soon. The origins of this, obviously enough, are to be found in history and, perhaps, resentment at the European success stories, and those of many of its former colonies.
Nonetheless, Flashman in the Great Game is a rousing good story that has been well handled by the author and may encourage an interesting debate about the Indian Mutiny and what place in world history it is to occupy.
Recommended for readers of historical fiction, adventure/action aficionados, and enthusiasts of the comic novel. Social justice warriors looking for something else to rail about on Twitter might enjoy Flashman in the Great Game for the cathartic, auto-erotic rage it will inspire.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
April 3, 2013
This book covers the horrors of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in India. At the time, India was under the control of the East India Company of Britain. The company ruled the land by using indigenous soldiers -- called Sepoys -- under the direction of British officers. The British fooled themselves into thinking that the Sepoys were loyal to their white officers and the queen, when in fact both Hindu and Muslim soldiers hated the foreign intruders and their attempts to Christianize them. Prime Minister Palmerston had an inkling that things were not going well in India, believing that the Russians were stirring up "the natives" in order to have them topple the British hegemony on the sub-continent. During the course of the book, Flashman assumes various disguises and experiences at least a half-dozen near-death incidents. Unlike his portrayal in other books in the Flashman series, in this book he displays sensitivity to the horrors of war. He falls in love with the beautiful Rani, Lakshmibai, who is the Maharini of Jhansi and who becomes a leader of the forces trying to expel the British. In the book, he treats the excesses of Indian rebels and the British army with balance. Both behave disgustingly. While he has his share of sexual conquests, he admits to true love for Lakshmibai, as well as his wife, Elspeth. The Flashman pictured here is an older (about 36 years old), more mellow scoundrel than the insensitive lout portrayed in the first book in the series.
As with all the Flashman books, the historical details are fantastic and true. Reading these books is a great way to get up to speed on 19th century events that are otherwise presented in a dry, dull fashion.
As with all the Flashman books, the historical details are fantastic and true. Reading these books is a great way to get up to speed on 19th century events that are otherwise presented in a dry, dull fashion.
November 1, 2018
Another excellent Flashman installment. This time, Flashy has been sent to investigate mysterious goings on back in India. Of course, he tries to get out of it, but if he did that, there wouldn't be a story. Cue the arrival of Count Ignatief and lots of danger that only Flashy can get himself into, along with various beautiful women who he shouldn't really end up in bed with, but of course does. As the Indian Mutiny hots up, Flash gets into all sorts of scrapes, and as usual GMF's historical knowledge is boundless. Like all his previous novels, you are entertained with a hero who I'm liking more with each novel, you also get to learn a good history lesson, and his descriptions take you right there, right then.
As I've mentioned in previous reviews, Flashman isn't the coward he's supposed to be. Sure he's scared when he's in danger, he tries to keep his head down, and he runs away when he can, but who wouldn't? He also gets stuck in when he (absolutely) has to, and he's honest enough to accept that if he can jump from one lover's bed to another, so can women, which probably makes him the only Victorian character, real or imagined, that has ever done that. And if he really was that much of a cad, he wouldn't have acted with such magnanimity in the final action scene at the end. So there, as Flashy himself would say.
As I've mentioned in previous reviews, Flashman isn't the coward he's supposed to be. Sure he's scared when he's in danger, he tries to keep his head down, and he runs away when he can, but who wouldn't? He also gets stuck in when he (absolutely) has to, and he's honest enough to accept that if he can jump from one lover's bed to another, so can women, which probably makes him the only Victorian character, real or imagined, that has ever done that. And if he really was that much of a cad, he wouldn't have acted with such magnanimity in the final action scene at the end. So there, as Flashy himself would say.
August 23, 2009
I think this Flashman book almost replaced Flashman at the Charge as my favorite Flashman book for surprising reasons. I think that Flashman at the Charge was definately funnier. Flashman in the Great Game is peppered with the usual hilarity, however the tone of the novel is much more sentimental and reverent towards the historical experience. The Sepoy Mutiny was horrid and awful atrocities were committed on both sides. Flashman spends most of the novel disguised as a "native badmash of unsavoury appearance" and sees the fighting from two perspectives. He shows some uncharacteristic sympathy to the plight of the colonized that peeps out through his usual blithe distain for the subjugated peoples of the 19th century. The novel has many more touching moments and scenes that evoke deep anger than the other Flashman books I have read so far. It awakened a powerful curiosity in me to learn more about British India (I reccommend the movie Kim to anyone who is interested in The Great Game). The writing was supurb as usual, Fraser is one author I can always count on when I need to blow through an entertaining read and learn something without thinking about it.
November 6, 2015
There are historical novels, which are so good that they appear to recreate historical events (e.g. Bernard Cornwell) and history written so well that it reads like a novel (e.g. Prescott and more recently, Alistair Horne). This book by George Macdonald Fraser, “Flashman in The Great Game” falls uncomfortably, rather too uncomfortably, somewhere in between these extremes.
The device used in this book is to present it as a volume of the fictional Flashman’s memoirs, edited and annotated by the author of the novel. As a result the text of Flashman’s memoirs is peppered with references leading to detailed end notes. These notes let the reader know whether or not Flashman’s account of events in the “Indian Mutiny” are accurate, and if not how they deviate from accepted historical wisdom. I found that this device was very irritating, and spoiled the reading of a moderately exciting, and at times bawdy and humorous, story.
If this book is supposed to be a novel, a historical afterword without endnotes would have sufficed. Although I have reservations about this novel, I will try one more in the Flashman series.
The device used in this book is to present it as a volume of the fictional Flashman’s memoirs, edited and annotated by the author of the novel. As a result the text of Flashman’s memoirs is peppered with references leading to detailed end notes. These notes let the reader know whether or not Flashman’s account of events in the “Indian Mutiny” are accurate, and if not how they deviate from accepted historical wisdom. I found that this device was very irritating, and spoiled the reading of a moderately exciting, and at times bawdy and humorous, story.
If this book is supposed to be a novel, a historical afterword without endnotes would have sufficed. Although I have reservations about this novel, I will try one more in the Flashman series.
July 24, 2014
The fifth Flashman book is billed as being about the Great Game and it starts out that way with Flashman being sent as a political officer (pretty much a spy) to the Indian state of Jhansi, to manipulate its beautiful queen and keep the Russians out. But the book is really about the Indian Mutiny, which breaks out during Flashman’s stay in India. Due to him being hunted by thuggee assassins, Flashman is hiding out under cover as an Indian soldier as the mutiny breaks out. So he experiences the run-up to the mutiny from a native perspective. He then sheds his cover in time to experience some of the worst massacres perpetrated by the Indians against their former masters.
This might be my favorite Flashman story so far, I like the setting and while being an adventure novel it also offers a good analysis of the origins of the Indian Mutiny.
This might be my favorite Flashman story so far, I like the setting and while being an adventure novel it also offers a good analysis of the origins of the Indian Mutiny.
March 5, 2021
This is my second favorite series. Fraser goes to great pains to be as historically accurate as possible for a fiction book. His battle scenes are as good as Cornwell's but he does comedy better. I frequently find myself googling things mentioned in Fraser's novels to see if they are real or his invention. It is amazing how much he pulls from real life. It kind of reminds me of Forrest Gump, with Hanks inserted into real life film footage. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
June 19, 2011
This time it's Flashman's account of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. This has been one of my favourite instalments in the series yet; very well paced and balanced. Also, like Fraser at his best, the writing is vivid and energetic -- the description of the Siege of Cawnpore will stay with me a long time. As usual, educational as well. Reading this sent me off checking some of the historical facts, especially those around the siege, which I discovered to be horrifyingly accurate. Left me wanting to read more about the Mutiny one day. The racism is at an all-time high in this book, but that's no surprise to anyone who knows old Flashy...
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