Harry Flashman

The novel's narrator and chief character, "Flashy" returns to London as the hero of Jallalabad, holding four medals for looking noble at the proper time. The six-foot, 182-pound Soldier, now in the reserves, cuts a dashing figure. He has been married for five years to the beautiful but ditsy former Elspeth Morrison, and lives with her, her cranky Scottish father and his own father and father's lover. Throughout the novel, Flashy assures the reader that he is not what he appears. Survival trumps gallantry, flight is better than fight, religion is a waste of time, and any opportunity for sex is welcome.

The action begins when a former schoolmate who Flashy had bullied, recognizes him in a cricket pub and invites him to play in a special match. There by sheer luck he bowls the best game of his life and achieves the world's first "hat trick...