"A new 'Flashman' novel...sort of..." Topic

"Harry Flashman and the invasion of Iraq" by H. C. Taylor is about to be released according to Amazon.

Written by a member of the Royal Marines who participated in the Gulf War, it purports to tell the story of the original's great great grandson and his unwilling participation in the conflict.

Coming soon after the first of the 'Carton Chronicles' (the same idea, featuring Sidney Carton (of 'Tale of Two Cities' fame) but set during the French Revolution, it'll be interesting to see how the latest incarnation works out.

I'm still waiting for some brave soul to try and fill in some of the gaps of the original Flashman chronology – I assume that, just as GMF lifted an existing literary character for his books, there is no copyright reason why someone should not use Harry (or, indeed, Tom Brown) in their own fiction?

I'm still waiting for some brave soul to try and fill in some of the gaps of the original Flashman chronology – I assume that, just as GMF lifted an existing literary character for his books, there is no copyright reason why someone should not use Harry (or, indeed, Tom Brown) in their own fiction?

I totally and completely disagree.
The only person that I would approve of writing more Flashman stories is GMF's daughter, who I hear is a competent writer.

For some hack to "fill in the gaps" would be almost as blaphemous as the attempts to fill in the gaps by various Robert E Howard wannabes in the "Conan" stories. The only REAL Conan stories were written 1200% by REH, and not the stable of hacks working for Lin "Carter et al.

I would rather NOT read any "Flash for Blue, Flash for Grey" novel if it was not written from GMF's notes by someone he trusted.

Do not encourage hacks!

I would also hope that the GMF estate has as much a stranglehold on the Flashman property as the Burroughs estate did with Tarzan.

I also hope that the estate does not prostitute themselves for cash like the MArgaret Mitchell estate did in hiring some Harlequin hack to write a "sequel" to Gone with the Wind.

BTW, the book that GMF lifted Flashman from was written in 1857. Copyright had long expired.

I'd be happier about a 'fill in the blanks' series than I am about an updated version.

It strikes me that the central premise of the Flashman series – that HPF is a base and venal creature, and his heroic public persona a mere sham – no longer holds water in the present day.

In 2011, we KNOW our idols have feet of clay. We almost expect it.

A modern Flashman could fiddle his expenses, accept bribes, attend fetish parties, indulge in substance abuse and show up at fancy-dress parties in Nazi uniform, without being any worse or any more noteworthy than our actual ruling class.

And let's face it… Flashy's more heinous antics are not going to go down well with a modern audience, are they?
His sympathies with local religions & customs and his readiness to collaborate don't sit easily when the OPFOR is Al Qaeda. His protest that he only found rape to be 'necessary' on one occaision.

In short, the minor stuff no longer seems remarkable, and the major stuff isn't going to pass editing.

And…the Royal marines? Flashman as a "Bootie"?
That strikes a duff note.

No-one said Flashman (Great great grandson) was a bootie – the author was.

The blurb from Amaon…

"Through the winter of 2002/3, as Britain and the United States prepare for war with Iraq, one man above all others is doing his utmost to avoid conflict. Step forward Captain Harry Flashman, a staff officer with the Queen's Royal Hussars and distant descendant of legendary Victorian scoundrel General Sir Harry Flashman, VC. The passing generations have done nothing to fortify his moral fibre. Flashman's journey begins with a posting to Plymouth, home of the Royal Marines, in time to join the impending Gulf deployment. Despite his protestations he is shipped to Kuwait to begin a relatively secure job with Brigade Headquarters. But his plans for a cosy war spent safely behind a desk are rudely interrupted by an enforced move to a front-line unit. After bust-ups with the Americans and a foiled attempt to avoid the invasion altogether, Flashman finds himself in the one place he has tried so hard to avoid: the very vanguard of the assault. Landing by helicopter with the Royal Marines, he is soon footslogging through the mud and fighting for his life as the men of 42 Commando seize their objectives on the Al Faw Peninsula. Based on the experiences of the author, Harry Flashman and the Invasion of Iraq is a historically accurate account of events in the Gulf during spring 2003 – embellished only slightly for the enjoyment of the reader"

I'm happy with the Flashman canon as it is, really. "Authorized" sequels or books cobbled together from notes often have the effect of making what came before somehow less cool. Leave Flashy alone.

Oh Dear…

For the first time in recorded history, I agree 100% with the OFM ;D

A stopped clock is right twice a day, so don't let it bother you too much.

Even though it isn't by GMF I'll probably buy it. Firstly I quite like the idea of a modern day Flashman and secondly, my nephew was in 42 Commando at the time.. Who knows, I might even buy two copies and send one to him!

I'd rather re-read the originals (just discovered Flashman about a year ago).

Flashman died on January 2nd, 2008. He, like any old soldier, should be left to rest in peace. The thought of Flashy resurrected and being placed in less capable hands than GMF's is too much to bear.

This book doesn't seem any more distasteful than GMF appropriating a character from Tom Brown's Schooldays in the first place.

Of course, it could still be crap, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Now, had he been posted to Cdo Log Regt in Kandahar, and attached to a certain element of the 151 London Transport Reg't (RLC) (V) that was working there, I must just beleive it.

Yes, Alex, I'm talking to YOU.

But, I too agree with the OFM about other hacks taking up where the original author has left off…

Eric

Leave 'im be. We have the originals, we don't need any pastiches.

Yes I'm not comfortable with the idea of a modern Flashman either.

Myself excluded, modern officer selection procedures and training would weed out a cad of Flashman's type long before he got to be a Captain with Regimental service..it just doesn't feel right…

Strictly a 19thC thing with Commission purchase and that kind of thing, dontcha know….What!

@Sparker, I wouldn't be too sure about that….

Right wot's all this about then?

Flashman as a floopy haired Cavalry officer attached to 3 CDOX during TELIC 1? Possible.

A Bootneck taking the mickey out of the Army. Sure thing.

Flashman dead in 2008. Unlikely.

Sparker … I've met the fellow many times before, although sometimes he was in the Guards Divions (Mounted component).

Might just have to go and get me a copy ;-)

… and no I didn't write it.

Hi Royal – so thats the new buzz for 2012 – Royal Marine is the real author of the new Flashman novel – it will make the whole 'who wrote Shakespeare' mysteries seem sooo last year….

Sherlock Holmes is the true author of all Shakespeare. He did it whilst down in the West Country when investigating a Hound marauding around Dartmoor.

Flashman is not a "Royal Marine" production but he is still alive and has moved on from Bde HQ back to the Army beacuse he needed access to his batman – the Corps told him he had to clean his own boots on operations which went down like bacon sandwich at a synagogue.

It might be bad. Or it might be good. Let's wait and see whether it is much of a well referenced and rollicking good tale as the GMF original. (I doubt it, if only for the reason that we can safely put our moral and nationalistic prejudices aside for 1850, much less so for 2001..)

regards

Myself excluded, modern officer selection procedures and training would weed out a cad of Flashman's type long before he got to be a Captain with Regimental service.

Still plenty of Ruperts knocking about in the donkey walloping regiments.

Right wot's all this about then?

Flashman as a floopy haired Cavalry officer attached to 3 CDOX during TELIC 1? Possible.

A Bootneck taking the mickey out of the Army. Sure thing.

Flashman dead in 2008. Unlikely.

Sparker … I've met the fellow many times before, although sometimes he was in the Guards Divions (Mounted component).

I just love authentic, "between the wars" RAF Fighter pilot talk speech word babel stuff things…talk!