Sharpe's Company (Sharpe, #13)

Title: Sharpe's Company (Sharpe, #13)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1982

Date read: 28th August 2017

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Company" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1982, is the third novel in the Richard Sharpe series. It is chronologically the fourth book (after "Sharpe's Trafalgar"), as Cornwell later filled in Sharpe's earlier career. This novel sees Richard Sharpe's desperate struggle for promotion and respect during the brutal siege of Badajoz in 1812, a pivotal moment in the Peninsular War.

The story finds Captain Richard Sharpe and his company of Chosen Men (riflemen) facing not just the French, but also the prejudices and snobbery of the British Army's officer class. Sharpe, a highly effective and courageous officer promoted from the ranks, constantly battles against the contempt of those born to privilege, particularly the insufferable Lieutenant-Colonel Windham.

Sharpe desperately wants a permanent commission as captain, a "company" of his own to command, which would secure his position and give him the respect he craves. However, his social standing and lack of connections work against him, despite his proven bravery and leadership.

The core of the novel is set during the horrific Siege of Badajoz. This was one of the bloodiest and most brutal sieges of the Napoleonic Wars, where the British and Portuguese forces, under the command of Wellington, repeatedly assaulted the heavily fortified Spanish city held by the French. Cornwell vividly portrays the grim realities of siege warfare: the sapping, the breaching batteries, the horrific assaults on the breaches, and the immense casualties.

Sharpe and his men are at the forefront of the fighting, facing incredible dangers. Their courage and skill are repeatedly put to the test in the brutal attempts to take the city. During the siege, Sharpe's personal quest for his captaincy becomes intertwined with the larger battle, as he seeks opportunities to prove his worth beyond doubt. He clashes repeatedly with Windham, who embodies the class snobbery Sharpe despises.

The novel also introduces the ruthless and cunning French engineer, Colonel Leroux, who becomes a formidable adversary for Sharpe.

The climax of "Sharpe's Company" is the horrific final assault on Badajoz's breaches. Sharpe, through his sheer determination, bravery, and tactical acumen, plays a crucial role in the eventual capture of the city, overcoming both the French defences and the obstacles placed in his path by his own superiors. The novel powerfully illustrates Sharpe's fight for recognition and his unwavering loyalty to his men amidst the unparalleled savagery of the siege.

Comments:
I read all of the Sharpe books in chronological order, one after the other. When I have looked back, I have not separated them at all unless there is a specific thing to add which will be after saying that I suddenly loved historical fiction and anything that Bernard Cornwell writes.

Books that we've read by Bernard Cornwell (28):
Sharpe's Eagle (Sharpe, #8) (1981), Sharpe's Gold (Sharpe, #9) (1981), Sharpe's Company (Sharpe, #13) (1982), Sharpe's Sword (Sharpe, #14) (1983), Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe, #15) (1984), Sharpe's Honour (Sharpe, #16) (1985), Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe, #17) (1986), Redcoat (1987), Sharpe's Siege (Sharpe, #18) (1987), Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe, #6) (1988), Sharpe's Revenge (Sharpe, #19) (1989), Sharpe's Waterloo (Sharpe, #20) (1990), Sharpe's Devil (Sharpe, #22) (1992), Sharpe's Battle (Sharpe, #12) (1995), Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1) (1997), Sharpe's Triumph (Sharpe, #2) (1998), Sharpe's Fortress (Sharpe, #3) (1999), Sharpe's Prey (Sharpe, #5) (2000), Sharpe's Trafalgar (Sharpe, #4) (2000), Gallows Thief (2001), Heretic (The Grail Quest, #3) (2003), Sharpe's Havoc (Sharpe, #7) (2003), The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1) (2004), Sharpe's Escape (Sharpe, #10) (2004), Sharpe's Fury (Sharpe, #11) (2005), The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2) (2006), Sword Song (The Saxon Stories, #4) (2007), Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3) (2007)