"Trafalgar" and "Prey" book discussion
book discussion: "Trafalgar" and "Prey" written for While I totally agree with chelseagirl47 on "Sharpes Triumph" another supporting thought occurred to me. The following thoughts refer to the novels "Trafalgar" and "Prey". It´s a bit early to discuss them now but I just have to express this as it is on my mind since I first read the books. But I
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Good points, all.
I do happen to love Trafalgar, but I completely agree with your take on Sharpe's characterization drift in it. I'm a ship junkie, and between that and the fact that I liked the story, I keep coming back to it. Devil, OTOH, had very little to recommend it. Personally, I wish Cornwell had just let Sharpe enjoy his retirement in peace. I read it after Trafalgar and was expecting decent, if not exactly accurate, nautical detail. No chance of that. Between that, a story that didn't grab me and what he did to Harper, I managed to finish it...
And I haven't read Prey or Escape yet. Still will, but I dunno if I'm looking forward to them as I was...
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I don't care, it's more Sharpe. And you know they aren't going to make Harper heavy. Personally, I always saw the guy as far too vain to let himself go like that. But I'm probably injecting far too much 20th century aesthetics into that.
Sharpe is a strange case when it comes down to the difference between books and movies. I can't think of another series where the author is still writing while the movies are being made, except for Harry Potter. And of course SB looks nothing like Sharpe. I think the character is evolving between the two media, and some of the changes are strange, to say the least.
"Prey" is already on the "to read" pile, and you know "Escape" will be too. But I'm in the middle of so many books right now I'm holding off buying it. With all the discussions going on right now though, I may end up moving both of those up--I hate skipping posts because I don't know the book under discussion!
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Yes, I was nearly jumping up and down when I heard the news of a new "Sharpe"film. I really do hope Sean will sign the contract. He always said he´d like to make another one, didn´t he?
Agree totally with you about Harper´s weight. But I do hope (same phrase, I know-- bad style) that they´re taking Daragh. Considering the money a movie costs they may think about someone younger or better known (shivers with dread).
SB is Sharpe. Even Cornwell himself said so. In the newer books he does not write about "black hair". He likes Sean´s interpretation too and I think that´s quite a compliment coming from the author. Usually the authors despise the chosen actors, don´t they? And often the fans too. (I was thinking for an example-- but my brain seems totally blank at this time of the night. I´ll write if I remember a good one.
Do you?)
Let me know about "Escape" will you?
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I can't see them replacing Harper with anyone else, but sometimes moviemakers do stupid things.
I saw Troy this weekend--and yeah, SB is at the perfect age to do Devil I can't see him making any of the younger Sharpe books now, sadly. I'd love to, but he just doesn't look twentysomething any more. Boy, did he make one fine Odysseus, though! I wish they'd make the Odyssey.
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