5 Responses to “Flashman and the Tiger”

• By Jack Purcell on Sep 5, 2010

  Fraser squeezed another Flashy episode into that brief human life and me, I’m glad. So will you be also.

  The Flashman Papers continue to offer up new episodes in this series. In this one Flashy’s reflections are more more mature, but his cynicism remains intact, his wisdom a human one recognizing our weaknesses as humans, none more than his own.
  Rating: 5 / 5
• By Taylor Rand on Sep 5, 2010

  Don’t misunderstand me. The old scoundrel still has the style and manner he did at Balaclava or India or Harper’s Ferry but still I began to think the old dotard was stringing me along for the price of a meal and drinks. When most of his tale (which again does him no credit) consisted of the details of a sordid affair with a French spy with a name like an American stripper and a sneaky journalist, I could scarce keep my eyes open. Only the frequent references (e.g., “See `Flashman and the Angel of the Lord,” “See `Flashman and the Great Game,’ etc.) to his former greatness, and some minor swordplay near the end (after a bungled assassination attempt) kept me from claiming a previous engagement.

  I certainly would not recommend “Flashman and the Tiger” as a first Flashman book, and I think it suitable mostly if you must read everything the blackguard has recorded.

  The two stories that follow are also remembered with verve and dash but (good god man!) the longer one concerns a gambling scandal and well, … I think this a tame enough occupation for one who’s assisted at as many major catastrophes as Flashie has and a poor setting after the camps and battlefields of the mighty. Yes, I heard the old general’s reply “I was getting on, and as the good book says, “There’s a time for racketin’ about crying ha ha among the trumpets and a time for sitting back with your feet dipped in butter watching others fall in the mire…not all adventures are to be found amidst shot and shell, thank god!”

  However, the last, shortest and best yarn actually includes our hero’s flight from the disaster at Isandlwana and the desperate battle of Rorke’s Drift, so there are some traces of the Flashman legendary luck and cowardice in action. It is an interesting tale and well worthy of naming the book after it.

  After all, who would look forward to, “Flashman and the Tranby Croft Gambling Scandal”? I wouldn’t.
  Rating: 1 / 5
• By Midwest Book Review on Sep 5, 2010

  This new Flashman story is particularly recommended for prior fans of the character who have long awaited a new contribution to the Flashman Papers. The memoirs of this Victorian soldier and scoundrel came to light thirty years ago; three new episodes in his career blend history with entertainment.
  Rating: 5 / 5
• By Chris Ward on Sep 5, 2010

  Die-hard fans have read this already in the British edition– indeed, true fans (such as myself) read “Flashman and the Tiger,” the third of three short stories/novellas in this volume, either when it appeared in the British press 27 years ago or dug it up on microfilm at the Library of Congress. The intrepid aficionado knows no boundaries when Flashy’s concerned. Fraser’s in a class by himself here; no one can do what he does as well as he does it. We can only pray that he finds a dozen more of Flashy’s packets lying around in unclaimed luggage….
  Rating: 5 / 5
• By Jason Hicks on Sep 5, 2010

  There is nothing better than finding out unexpectedly that a new “Flashman” novel is available in the States. As a long time fan, I read this one as soon as I got it home and I was not disappointed. I won’t spoil any of the surprised that await the reader, but suffice it to say that this is a very worthy book in its own right. Old fans…you will enjoy it. New fans…give it a read and then collect the rest of the series. THESE ARE BOOKS WHICH MUST NOT BE MISSED!
  Rating: 5 / 5

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