Yet Fraser had initially struggled to find a publisher. By profession a journalist, he had started to write the first book in the small hours after work, but had abandoned the project on breaking his arm. His wife, however, read the unfinished manuscript and persuaded him to complete it.
For two years he received rejections from publishers, with one American house adding that Flashman was the wrong name for the character. The book was finally accepted by the small firm of Barrie and Jenkins.
Although some critics saw the series as a satire on Victorian morality, its continued popular success was due to Fraser’s ability to make learning history enjoyable. The richly comic narrative moved with a military dash worthy of Anthony Hope or Rafael Sabatini while spoofing the wholesome sensibilities of the heroes of Buchan and Henty.
[HT: Arts & Letters Daily ]
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