Does anyone (or anyone's dh/p/w) read books like Sharpe/flashman and can recommend something similar

[Wheelybug]

DH has read all the above and books by someone Mallinson and a couple of others I've found but just wondered if there were any other good ones anyone could recommend ?

(He doesn't like Patrick O'Brien btw)

.

There is a new series by James Delingpole,the first book is 'Coward on the beach' set in the Second World War;Haven't read it yet but the reviews likened it to Flashman.
Hope that helps!

if he's not in to Patrick O'Brian then there's not really much I can think of that's similar to the Flashman books. However DH who is in to Flashman, O'Brian etc also really has enjoyed Christopher Brookmyre. Completely different but definitely a "blokes" novel in the same way as George MacDonald Fraser. He's also written other novels so if he likes his style then worth looking some of them out?

My dh loves C.S.Forester (who wrote Hornblower) - two military ones are 'Death to the French!' and 'The Gun'.

My dh loves C.S.Forester (who wrote Hornblower) - two military ones are 'Death to the French!' and 'The Gun'.

Doesn't like Patrick O'Brian?

sorry bluestocking . What can i say...

Thanks all - ST - will look at that one sounds like something he might like and Hornblower was one I'd thought of in the past so will look at those.

Weegle - people have recommended Brookmyre but DH has never seem interested - he is more of a liker of historical fiction (with the odd thriller or murder mystery thrown in). I try to just encourage him to read something other than the FT !

Thanks everyone.

Simon Scarrow... there are a couple of serie he has done -one about roman soldiers (sounds pants but dh who lurves sharpe says its excellent) and also a 4 parter (currently on book 2) about napoleon and wellington -first one is called Young bloods, next one the generals.

Not quite sure what you mean when you bracket Sharpe and Flashman, because the Flash books are meant to be comic as well as adventurous. But if you just mean historical action-based novels, then why not try Robert Harris's two Roman novels, Pomeii and Imperium.

Would also recommend CS Forester over Patrick O'Brian any day. Books are much faster, less pretentious, less crammed with unnecessary detail, and better written.

Which of all the ones listed here are comic? (DH loves flashman, so wondering what is not just historical) Are James Delingpole or P O Brian funny?

God I adore Flashman - and Christopher Brookmyre is absolutely hilarious in a very dark and sweary Glaswegian way

Second Hornblower, they are great.

If he likes crime, I would heartily recommend the Inspector Banks series by Peter Robinson - I think there are about 14 of them so far.

I haven't read them, but have seen recommendations for an author called Sharon K. Penman's works - "Here be Dragons," "Falls the Shadow," "The Sunne in Splendor", "When Christs and the Saints Slept", etc. They're novelizations of the actual lives and events of English historical figures, such as Richard III, Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry VIII and so on, but with invented dialogue.

Darn! Was going to suggest Patrick O'Brien (except I couldn't think of his name).... thinks thinks thinks... mum likes that sort of stuff

Does he do Roman historical fiction? If so, he might like Steven Saylor.

My dh seems to have similar likes and dislikes to yours, and has enjoyed these.

I would recommend this

www.amazon.com/His-Majestys-Dragon-Temeraire-Book/dp/0345481283, nice blend of dragons and the Napoleonic wars (borrowed it from my dad, an inveterate flashman fan, when he was visiting and enjoyed it myself)

I believe the novels of Douglas Reeman are supposed to be good. I've never read one myself, but I think they're all naval stories set during the Napoleonic War.

rofl at 'dark and sweary', lapin
I still think of it as 'tartan noir'

To answer santagitta, I think George Macdonald Fraser is probably unique in writing comical-historical novels. Flashman is the bully from Tom Brown's Schooldays, and Fraser decided to invent his later career in a series of novels. He is, of course, a coward as well as a bully, but is always getting into scrapes that only enhance his reputation as a hero. There's always that farcical element, but they're still great adventure stories.

Oooh thanks everyone - didn't realise this thread had had a resurgence.

Just to confirm, its more the historical military aspect he likes but is quite narrow minded in his tastes in that he likes the napoleonic-y era and first/second world war stuff. Don't think he'd go for Roman stuff (more my era) and not fantasy. Oh yes he is fussy !

This has given me some ideas though guys thanks.

John Buchan? If he likes the historical angle, would go for Midwinter. Or The Free Fishers or Courts of the Morning (all great books)

(lots of Buchan set in early 20th centiry btw - Hannay series and others)

maybe this kind of series then:

www.amazon.co.uk/Surtees-95th-Rifles-William/dp/1846770858/ref=pd_sim_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1196957314&sr=8- 33.

But he's really missing out re: the dragons. Might have to order from amazon myself as have only read the first two books in the series!

or (memories flooding back of being sent to the public library with specific instructions from my dad) alexander kent. Have just realised after twenty years that alexander kent is a nom de plume for douglas reeman.

right, back to work.

What about Bernard Cornwell's (Sharpe) other series of books - set in the Dark ages? Can't remember all the titles - one is called 'Lords of the North', though. There are about 5 in total so far, I think.

Was going to leap in and recommend Patrick O Brian - then I read the OP properly!

Hornblower?

My DP loves Flashman - have you considered stuff like John Le Carre (the Smiley books)? Not comic, but intriguing/exciting ... Second the John Buchan recommendation (I love a bit of Hannay, me). Good luck!