Flashman

George MacDonald Fraser’s Flashman is a strange portrayal of life in the army. His main character, Harry Flashman, couldn’t quite be considered the protagonist, even in his own tale. Flashman is an extremely difficult character to like, a coward to the core and a liar to boot. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Fraser’s portrayal of British presence in Afghanistan is surprisingly interesting.

                The story is narrated by none other than Harry Flashman, now in his eighties and looking back on his exploits with no remorse. Expelled from one of Britain’s best schools, Flashman decides to join the army, carefully selecting a regiment least likely to be involved in any combat. The tale is ridiculous and would be humorous if Flashman weren’t so uncouth and disreputable. Drawn into a duel, sent to Scotland, slept with the wrong girl, forced into marriage, ordered to resign, shipped to India. It truly is a comedy of errors, made all the better by the dry tone of an old man looking back on his younger days.

General Elphinstone

                Flashman arrives in India better than many. He is immediately liked by his superiors and butters them up with all his sickening flattery. He has a fairly easy few weeks, whoring and learning the language. He even gets invited to dinner with all the important people in Calcutta, who talk endlessly of his usefulness. Just when he thinks he’ll get a comfortable, safe job as a governor’s aide somewhere in India, the tides turn with surprising abruptness and he’s sent instead to be General Elphinstone’s aide in Afghanistan.

                Britain’s hold in Kabul is fairly stable when Flashman arrives. But it quickly disintegrates in the face of the inept British commanders. Elphinstone, known to his men and everyone else as Elphy Bey, is a feeble old man about ready to croak. This is the general put in command of Kabul, essentially dooming any chance of success.

                The fact that Flashman is what he is, and is very honest about it, gives his derision of the British command all the more credit. He describes events in Afghanistan bluntly and with great detail. But the situation never seems dire and the descriptions never gory. In his dry, ironic voice, Flashman relates all that happened to him and his dealings with various people along the way, hiding none of his own vices in the story and therefore feels no inclination to hide those of others.

Harry Flashman

                The story unfolds, a strange assortment of comedy and grief, told by a coward and confirmed by historical events. As we follow Flashman from the army to captivity and back again, there’s really no feeling sorry for the rogue. All one can do is read on in horror as Flashman receives honor and credit truly undeserved. But then, given the state of the British army at the time, it seems unrealistic to expect anything less.

   When Flashman returns home to his forgotten wife, he is presented to the queen and given a medal. High praise indeed, and Flashman cannot wait to tell his wife. It is difficult to feel sorry for him when he discovers his wife is lying to him and most likely sleeping with a man he told her not to. After all, he certainly had his fill of women while he was abroad.

                All in all, Fraser’s story is full of humor, horror, and downright pigheadedness. It presents an interesting view of the British occupation of Afghanistan, and brings forth a few laughs along the way.