I’ve just devoured all of the Warrior Chronicles*. I must confess that I was drawn to them by the very accomplished TV series, but I enjoyed the books a great deal more, partly because of fascinating and endearing characters like Steapa and Father Pyrlig, but mostly because of old Uhtred’s acerbic commentary.
Missing Uhtred after The Empty Throne (I’m eagerly awaiting the paperback edition of Warriors of the Storm), I started on the Flashman stories, and I was struck by the similarities and contrasts between their tones. I couldn’t help speculating on how they would have hit it off. As older men, I imagine they would have got along famously, but Uhtred doesn’t seem to have much time for Haesten, who seems like the most Flashman-esque character in the Warrior Chronicles.
All in all, thank you very much for the hugely entertaining read. I look forward to the remaining volumes, and I’ll start making my way through your reading list as soon as Flash Harry has bluffed and toadied his way through the rest of the Victorian age.
* I made the grievous error of taking two of the books on holiday with me. Predictably enough, I had devoured them before I got off the boat. If I have one suggestion for you, it would be to include a warning not to take any of your books on holiday.
Rob Lyndon