Sharpe's Gold (Sharpe, #9)

Title: Sharpe's Gold (Sharpe, #9)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1981

Date read: 8th August 2017

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Gold" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1981, is the second novel written in the Richard Sharpe series (though chronologically, it's the sixth in his Peninsular War adventures). It places Captain Richard Sharpe in a perilous mission involving vast amounts of hidden treasure, warring factions, and treacherous allies during the Peninsular War in 1810.

The story begins with Sharpe and his Chosen Men detached from Wellington's main army, operating in the mountainous regions of Portugal. Their mission is to secure a vital bridge against the advancing French. However, this assignment quickly takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a heavily guarded convoy carrying a fortune in gold.

This isn't just any gold; it's the legendary treasure of Godoy, the disgraced former Prime Minister of Spain, who had amassed immense wealth through corruption. The gold is being transported by a group of Spanish guerrillas, led by the enigmatic and ruthless El Mirador (a different character from the one in "Sharpe's Fury," though sharing the same nom de guerre). El Mirador is a shadowy figure, seemingly fighting for Spain but with his own complex and often brutal agenda.

Sharpe's commanding officer, the opportunistic and morally ambiguous Major General Sir Hector Ross, sees an opportunity to "liberate" this gold for the British war effort – or perhaps for his own pockets. He orders Sharpe to intercept the convoy and seize the treasure.

This places Sharpe in a difficult and dangerous position. He is caught between the French, who are also aware of the gold and want to seize it, and the unpredictable Spanish guerrillas, who view the gold as rightfully theirs and are fiercely protective of it. Sharpe must navigate the treacherous mountain passes, deal with the suspicions of the Spanish, and contend with the constant threat of ambush.

Adding to the complexity, the gold's transportation also involves the presence of British civilian agents, whose motives are not always clear. Sharpe finds himself constantly battling not only the enemy but also the greed and duplicity of his own allies.

The novel explores themes of:

• Greed and Corruption: The corrupting influence of wealth on soldiers and civilians alike.
• Guerrilla Warfare: The brutal and often chaotic nature of the irregular Spanish forces.
• Trust and Betrayal: The constant uncertainty of who to trust in a war zone where alliances are fluid.
• Sharpe's Morality: His struggle to maintain his principles amidst the widespread avarice.

The climax of "Sharpe's Gold" is a desperate and bloody battle over the treasure. Sharpe and his men find themselves fighting against overwhelming odds from multiple sides, using their ingenuity and fighting prowess to secure the gold, fulfil their mission, and ensure their survival amidst the chaos. It's a classic Sharpe adventure, rich in historical detail and action, highlighting the moral ambiguities of war.

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)