Mr. American

Mr American is an excellent novel, and was a tough one to put down even for one day! I enjoyed all 585 pages. Since reading the Flashman series of books I was sure to like this one. I feel this may be the best historical fiction novel I have ever read. ( I even bought a copy for my golf partner! Thanks R.G.H.

As a devotee of the Flashman Papers, I bought Mr. American, largely on the promise of a "cameo" from Sir Harry himself. Here I am, 6 days and almost 600 pages later, in the afterglow that can only be achieved by reading an account through which you feel you have truly lived. The book is absolutely packed full of wonderful characters, none more so than the "hero", Mark Franklin, a character in whom we feel an immediate and lasting affinity. The real strengths of the book though, as usual, are in Fraser's turns of phrases and magical evocations of historic scenes and characters. My personal favourite was the image of old General Flashman, intently surveying the cheering, singing crowds around the Mall on the outbreak of the Great War "imprinting in his memory" the scene. The book is one long, immersive evocation of Edwardian England and the social changes leading up to 1914, but at the same time it manages to be a social commentary on the British character, and still further its just a great story. While I did find myself laughing with delight (in public) at the appearances of ninety-year-old Flashman, it is certainly not all I will remember this book for. Im still musing about the ending now. If you've enjoyed any of Fraser's writing previously, or just have an interest in history, or enjoy reading good novels (I think Ive covered everyone there) - read this. It is, like its author, one of the greats.

This was my first "non-Flashman" book by Fraser, and I was joyously stunned by the high level of writing. Someone called it "the perfect male romantic novel," and that hits the mark very well. If someone had described the plot to me, I'd have passed it by as sounding like a bit of a bore, but luckily no-one tried to describe it to me beforehand, and having just finished it, I'd rank it among one of the best novels I've read--and that's a lot of novels. So if anyone tells you that the bulk of it is about romance, Edwardian high-society hobnobbing, and marital difficulties, do not let that put you off! It is a d--ned fine book! And Flashy shows up now and then, ironically turning out to be one of the most moral characters to be found. The old goat just gets better--and more wicked--with age.One quibble: The Carrol & Graf 1998 edition is *full* of apostrophe/quotation-mark errors, probably resulting from an attempt to translate British punctuation standards to American ones by way of a simple "find-and-replace" command on computer, and very cursory typo-checking afterward. I know I must sound like the school teacher I am, but it is sloppy and distracting, and sometimes makes for difficult reading--and is easily avoidable. I really don't think we Americans have much trouble at all understanding British punctuation or spelling, so American publishers should just leave well enough alone when printing British books. Of course this complaint is no reflection on the author at all--in fact, this novel has raised him greatly in my estimation, and he was already rather high.

Fraser takes a break from the hilarious, over-the-top adventures of the Flashman series with this more sedate and gentle window into Edwardian England (although it should be noted that a very aged Flashman does make several cameo appearances from time to time to deliver straight talk and pinch the serving wenches). The title character is Mark Franklin, a former cowboy and outlaw (he rode with Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid as part of The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang), who struck it rich mining silver and is trying to become respectable. He's moved to England in 1909, searching for his ancestral village in an attempt to find himself a place to call home. While he has various adventures, both amorous and perilous, the book is mostly an excuse for Fraser to take the reader on an extended tour of the Edwardian years which bridged the end of Victorian era sensibilities with the rise of the horrors of modern life exemplified by WWI. With his vast riches Franklin quickly makes an entree to the upper classes, and unsurprisingly, what he finds "society" to be mostly selfish, shallow, blind to reality, and indifferent to morality, This is in sharp contrast to other characters from middle and lower classes, who embody more solid values and character, and are competent, productive members of society. Woven into the plot are such items as the "Irish problem," the suffragette movement, and the buildup to WWI. As usual, Fraser keeps things interesting with vivid characters and rapid pacing. Thankfully (and pointedly), the book ends as Britain mobilizes with appalling naivete for the war that would destroy a generation.

If you've never read George MacDonald Fraser, you've been missing out on one of the best novelists of our time. His Flashman series chronicles the hilarious, ribald adventures of Harry Flashman, the most reprehensible (and charming) rogue the British Empire has ever produced. While the Flashman Papers span the Victorian era, Mr. American takes place about eight years before the outbreak of World War I. It's the story of an enigmatic cowboy/miner named Mr. Franklin who arrives in London with two six shooters, and a bank draft for a fortune in silver. Why is he there? How did he make his money? I wouldn't even dare to reveal the twists of this fascinating, funny, adventurous plot. (Watch out for the aged Sir Harry Flashman who makes a cameo appearance!) This is the kind of addictive story that will make you skip work or cut classes so that you can finish it