Too much Flashman, not much of a beef, is it? Let's hope the rumor that Fraser is working on another Flashman book proves true. One speculates that Fraser wanted to write a tale involving Ranavalona, but lacked enough material for a full book.
Ending the book with the adventures in Borneo would have been tidier. In my estimation, the book slips to four stars on the Flashman Scale only because adding the Madagascar adventure seems contrived. It also contains brief notes from Elspeth's own journal.įlashman's Lady will not disappoint fans of Flashman (and if you have not read it, then go buy the original Flashman: A Novel (Flashman)) and some will argue it's the best in the series. The book was edited by one of Elspeth's sisters, who kindly excised the swear words, but left in the blood and gore, all the naughty bits.
(Elspeth also lands there, but is mostly out of sight.) Ranavalona's portrayal is doubtless distorted by Harry's pro-imperial Victorian views, but it makes for fascinating fun. The reader is treated to the oddities and savagery of that island a land that is outwardly European-influenced, but Ranavalona has kicked out all whites. Harry `escapes' into slavery and the not-so-tender mercies of Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar. Harrowing battles on the Batang Lupar River leave Harry and Elspeth captive on board ship in the Indian Ocean. Flash follows the trail to Borneo with the great pirate fighter James Brooke, the White Raja of Sarawak. Elspeth attracts unwanted but not unwonted male attention (unwanted by Flash anyway) that leads to a cruise to Singapore where Elspeth is kidnapped. Flash first encounters Tom Brown in London, which leads to Flash's involvement in cricket matches involving some of the great names of the sport (or so I am informed). Show More fills in gaps from 1842 to 1846.įlashman's Lady includes three tales all centering to some degree around his beloved wife Elspeth (don't worry, that doesn't keep Flashy from straying).
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