Harry Flashman. Love Him Or Hate Him?

[Atheist]

I am an addict of the Flashman novels by George Macdonald Fraser. Anyone love his stuff, or hate his stuff?

[davebro]

never read one - what are they about

[david small]

I’ve read them all Atheist. Obviously I liked them. I liked the footnotes detailing the historical facts woven into the novels. The later ones seemed to run out of steam a little in my opinion.

[Mamyalynne]

I haven't read them but he seems to me to be the perfect example of an anti-hero - all the faults going and more.

All in all a real love/hate character.

[davebro]

If he's the guy who was in Tom Brown's Schooldays I don't think I could cotton to him.

[jourdain2]

Haven't read any for a while, but I used to love them. His braggadocio (if I've spelled that correctly) is superbly written. Well researched backgrounds gave me quite an insight into various periods - and his wife was no fool either! He has absolutely no concern for anyone except himself and the way you get to understand his thought processes, which horrify you, doesn't stop your basic liking for the character. He's magnetic. Sounds weird, all that, but it's the best way I can put it at the moment - in the middle of making Sunday dinner.

[Atheist]

Dave, they are about the later adventures of Harry Flashman (who was a disgusting bully at Rugby school (and toasted Tom Brown before a fire, when not beating fags etc.....). He became an undeserved Victorian hero by virtue of good luck, cowardice, a gift for picking up languages from the 'natives' and being tall, slim and handsome in his various uniforms, and from his ability to make women swoon at his feet. A thoroughly disgraceful character, but well aware of his own failings and not at all bothered by them or the failings of others. He recorded his frank opinions of such characters as Wellington, Victoria, Havelock, Custer, the relief of Mafeking and so on. Very well researched stories, with footnotes filling in the details. You could only appreciate the books (or hate them) by reading one. I think they are hated by many women because of his old-fashioned penchant for treating them as sex objects; in other words, a delight for a modern man (and for a modern woman) to read in secret.

[jourdain2]

Atheist, I've said, openly, that I like the 'Flashman' books - I'm a woman! I think I missed a 'c' off 'braggadoccio'. Does that make me a 'modern woman'? Whopee!

Seriously, to any one concerned. I've taught English and History (and Art) so have read fairly widely and these books are entertaining, well-written and full of meticulously observed and conveyed background. Well worth reading.

By the way, Atheist, I didn't comment, but on one of your other posts I felt like a kindred spirit - I know, I know we seem to have ended on opposite ends of the spectrum - but I also write, painted etc. to no financial gain. You live in France too, as I did for many years, don't you? :)

[Atheist]

Jourdain; only here part time. Post Brexit we can only stay without a visa for 90 days in any 180 days. We'll be returning maybe late September - boo-hoo!!
:-)

[Sqad]

Can't find an interest in reading books which keeps my interest and attention for 10 mins at the most.
The only exception being biographies and autobiographies and even then limited.

I see people in airports, on trains and other waiting areas absorbed in a book and I admire them, perhaps even envious of them but could never follow suit.

No I was not popular with the English Literature teachers at school..lol

[Atheist]

Sqad; Flashman is written as autobiography, although obviously not true. Much funnier than real autobiog.

[Sqad]

Indeed Atheist