Sharpe's Escape
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Bernard Cornwell |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Richard Sharpe stories |
| Genre | Historical novels |
| Publisher | Harper Collins |
Publication date | 1 June 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD |
| Pages |
351 pp (hardcover edition)) 384 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN |
0-00-712013-3 (hardcover edition) ISBN 0-00-712014-1 (paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 55624786 |
| Preceded by | Sharpe's Gold |
| Followed by | Sharpe's Fury |
Sharpe's Escape is the tenth historical novel in the Richard Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell, published in 2004. Sharpe is embroiled in the British retreat through Portugal in 1810 from the defence of the Ridge at Bussaco to the Lines of Torres Vedras, where the French offensive was successfully halted.
Plot summary
Captain Richard Sharpe is threatened as commander of the South Essex Regiment Light Company by the family politics of the Regiment's Commanding Officer. While the British and their Portuguese allies see off the French assault at Bussaco, Sharpe becomes embroiled in a private feud with the criminal Ferragus, whom he pursues from the abandoned town of Coimbra back towards the massive defensive works which Wellington has ordered built at Torres Vedras.
Characters
- Captain Richard Sharpe - OC Light Company, South Essex Regiment. Hero.
- Sergeant Patrick Harper - sergeant in the British army, close friend and ally to Richard Sharpe
- Lieutenant Cornelius Slingsby - Sharpe's second-in-command
- Major Ferreira - Portuguese Intelligence officer.
- Sarah Fry - stranded English governess.
- 'Ferragus' - Portuguese criminal, former slave trader.
- Major Michael Hogan - engineer for the British army and intelligence officer
- Colonel William Lawford - Sharpe's commanding officer.
- Captain Jorge Vicente - Portuguese army, Sharpe's friend.
- Rifleman Matthew Dodd - separated from the company during a battle; a homage to C. S. Forester's Death to the French, also known as Rifleman Dodd.