Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe, #15)

Title: Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe, #15)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1984

Date read: 15th February 2018

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Enemy" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1984, is the fifth novel in the Richard Sharpe series. Set in the Peninsular War in December 1812, it sees Richard Sharpe and his Chosen Men embroiled in a desperate mission to rescue captured British women from a rogue band of deserters, while simultaneously navigating a complex web of loyalty and betrayal during the harsh winter campaign.

The story begins during a period of temporary stalemate in the war, following Wellington's failed siege of Burgos. The British army is in winter quarters, and morale is low. A group of British, French, and even Spanish deserters, led by the utterly ruthless and sadistic renegade British sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill (a long-standing and deeply hated enemy of Sharpe's from earlier books), attacks an isolated British supply column. During the raid, they capture several British women, including the beautiful and resourceful Lady Isabella Farthingdale, and the fiercely loyal Sarah, Sharpe's lover, and others.

The deserters retreat to a seemingly impregnable, fortified stronghold known as Adrados, deep in the mountains. Their aim is to use the captured women as leverage, demanding supplies and passage to safety from both the British and French forces.

Major Richard Sharpe is immediately tasked by Wellington with leading a small, elite force to infiltrate Adrados and rescue the hostages. This is a personal mission for Sharpe, as Sarah is among the captives, and the knowledge that Hakeswill is involved fuels his cold fury.

The mission is fraught with peril. Adrados is a formidable fortress, defended by hardened, desperate men who have nothing to lose. Sharpe's force is small, and they face not only the well-armed deserters but also the harsh winter conditions and the ever-present threat of French patrols who are also interested in the stronghold.

The novel is a tense, suspenseful siege narrative, interspersed with brutal combat. Sharpe must use his cunning, his exceptional military skills, and his knowledge of Hakeswill's depravity to outwit his former tormentor. Hakeswill, a truly loathsome villain, delights in torturing his captives and mocking Sharpe.

Themes explored include:

• Betrayal and Loyalty: The stark contrast between the disciplined soldiers and the depraved deserters.
• The Horrors of War: The suffering of civilians and the brutal choices made in conflict.
• Personal Vengeance: Sharpe's relentless drive to settle scores with Hakeswill.
• Resourcefulness: Sharpe's ability to improvise and lead against overwhelming odds.

The climax is a brutal and bloody assault on Adrados, where Sharpe and his men battle their way through the stronghold to rescue the women and finally confront Hakeswill in a deeply personal and satisfying showdown. "Sharpe's Enemy" is a thrilling and emotionally charged entry, driven by the intense rivalry between Sharpe and his most hated nemesis.

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)