Share for friends:

A Close Run Thing (2000)

A Close Run Thing (2000)

Book Info

Genre
Rating
3.78 of 5 Votes: 3
Your rating
ISBN
0553507133 (ISBN13: 9780553507133)
Language
English
Publisher
bantam

About book A Close Run Thing (2000)

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.

Bernard Cornwell/C.S. Forester meet Jane Austen. We have a military history (well researched and accurate) coupled with a Jane Austen style of writing. Indeed, half the plot could have been written by Jane Austen and the other half by Bernard Cornwell. Mallinson uses the language of the period (including a great many words and phrases that were opaque to me) to create a picture of society at the time as well as descriptions of the battles of Toulouse and Waterloo, as well as the conditions in Ireland at the time. On the whole a worthwhile read for Napoleonic military history buffs, though it is a bit slow moving at times, and a good read for Jane Austen fans (if they don't mind a dose of military history).

Do You like book A Close Run Thing (2000)?

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
—Johnny

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).
—Monty Milne

download or read online

Read Online

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Other books by author Allan Mallinson

Other books in series matthew hervey

Other books in category Fiction