[.ca] Flashman and the Dragon (ISBN 0007266545)

great storytelling taking a back seat to history-writing:
Having been an avid reader of the Dand McNeil-stories and of the early Flashman novels, I lost touch with the series for a couple of years. Returning to it through the services of Amazon.com, the change in style I noticed is quite remarkable. The earlier books use historic fact loosely as a backdrop to great storytelling; now I find a Notes-section that would be a credit to any PhD-thesis on the subject. Mr. Fraser seems overly concerned that we might doubt the historic accuracy of any person, remark or fact he describes. In such a context the love/lust-story between Flashman and the First Concubine becomes almost irritating, being of course not only historically totally incorrect as well as utterly improbable to anyone with even a fleeting knowledge (or suspicion) of Chinese imperial court life and culture of that time. In my humble opinion one should either try to be an entertaining popular historian or an entertaining writer of historic fiction. Mr. Fraser now tries to be both at the same time and I find the result a mixed blessing. And instead of having to constantly refer to the back of the book to see what all those 1234 notes are about, I would rather have seen a short closing chapter containing the relevant historic facts. Of course hardcore Flashman-addicts will heartily disagree. But try re-reading "The general danced at dawn" or "Royal Flash" and maybe you will get my point.

The continuation of a winning formula:
The thing that sticks with me a fortnight after finishing this book is the wire jacket. Eurgh! It makes me squeam to think about it. GMF adds another episode to the life of Harry Flashman that takes our (un?)fortunate (anti?)hero to China during the Taiping Revolution and the shenanigans at the Summer Palace. As always, Flashman sees history occuring onhand, and barely escapes with his life. He's a coward and he's a liar: he calls himself a monster and he is, but he's also a public hero and his Victorian counterparts can't prevent themselves lauding everything he does. Don't know anything about the history? Don't let it put you off. In fact, it should encourage you to read this book. As much as I've enjoyed all the Flashman books, the greatest legacy they've left me has been a far greater understanding of 19th century history. Little facts are sprinkled in along the way, such as when the americans fight alongside the british for the first time in their history. Without giving too much away, the plot is a bit straggly: we start with Harry getting mixed up with the Taipings, and then spending some time at the Summer Palace. To me it seemed like one short story and one novel spliced together, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. It wasn't the greatest in the Flashman series that I've read, but it was great fun and I would recommend it, although I'd suggest starting with the original "Flashman" as reading the books in order has added to the value I've gained from them.

Flashman matures... or at least gets wiser:
Make no mistake, Flashy's still the spineless poltroon he always was, but for me the most interesting feature of this book is the way in which he has evolved into a more calculating coward. His bowels still turn to water at the merest hint of danger, yet he has honed his fiendish cunning and learned to wear the mask of cool calculation. Thus, when threatened with death, dismemberment, or exposure, he can present a collected front while all the while his mind is feverishly plotting an escape. Let's just say he's learned tactics and no longer panics, soils himself and flees... He's learned to use his entirely undeserved heroic reputation to advantage instead of bolting from one horrendous situation to the next. Still lucky, he now modifies his chances through judicious posturing and careful shaving of the odds. A real treat to see him mature, if that is the correct word. Still a despicable cad, but one who has learned the art of survival with style, if not grace. Amusing to see that even cads, bounders and cheats are suceptible to character development. Well done to Mr. Fraser for allowing Flashy to grow a little - and not improve one whit!

Classic Flashman!:
FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it. If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

Brilliant history:
To say that this book makes history come alive will probably put off all potential readers, but really, I mean it in the best possible sense. As a novel, it's OK, although the plot's a mess. It's the historical bits that are fascinating - someone wrote that late 19th-century China attracted the largest ever group of eccentrics and scoundrels, and they are all here! Who is weirdest? - the cello-playing English general who later inspires an aria by Gilbert and Sullivan? the mercenary soldier from the American Deep South who defects to fight for the Chinese Taiping Christian rebels? the evil Empress Tzu Hsi, later known as Old Buddha? Even more fascinating (and moving) is the description of Lord Elgin ("Son of Marbles")'s expedition to enforce the Sino-British treaties. The author has researched this thoroughly, and much of the detail comes from the narratives of H B Loch, one of Elgin's assistants. The descriptions of Chinese torture and the gruesome results may be found in Loch's "Personal Narrative of Lord Elgin's Second Embassy to China" - do whatever you can to find a copy of this, it's worth it! The great thing about this story is that the excellent historical notes allow you to make up your mind about the rights and wrongs of the whole affair. This book really ought to be included in Amazon.com's listing for "Taiping Rebellion" - it's certainly more engaging and readable than Jonathan Spence's tedious "God's Chinese Son".