You cannot fault the writing. It is sublime and quick, funny and easy to read but not so easy that it is only a quick-read (if you get me). But hell the character of Flashman is an utter arse. I don't care how well written it is, or how unlike the author is to the character (one would hope) but I am struggling to not use the C-word right now. I hope there is some resolve to him and that he does indeed repent for everything he had ever done, but nothing would make me read any more of it. Historical fiction is lovely, but the fiction part doesn't always have to follow the candour of the history part.