Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have just finished “Sharpe’s Revenge” (I am a latecomer to the series, but am almost finished), and have enjoyed them immensely, both for their historiography and characterizations.  They are right up there with Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey novels, and that is meant as a high complement.

I do have one problem with “Revenge”.  I am disappointed in Sharpe’s betrayal of Fredrickson.  Realizing Sharpe is a bit of a scoundrel at best, he nonetheless has always been portrayed as a man of honor and loyalty to his friends.  Why the sudden change of character?  I am merely an interested reader, not someone subsumed with the character, living vicariously through him (after all, it’s just fiction), but it does seem strange, and to this reader, quite disappointing.  Although the books are meant as “entertainments”, as Graham Greene used to say, the fundamental beliefs of the author usually shine through, such as with Greene’s novels, and Maugham’s novels.  I would appreciated your comments out of curiosity.   I will say, that it is a testament to your writing ability that has kept me interested enough to finish the series and make this query.  The hours spent with Sharpe have almost always been pure pleasure, to the point of losing sleep while finishing another Sharpe/Harper
adventure.
One final question:  Why not have Sharpe recover his fortune and honor from his wife’s betrayal in the same book?
Lyle S Mindlin