The adventures of Brigadier Gerard by Arthur Conan Doyle

"The adventures of Brigadier Gerard" by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Brigadier Etien Gerard worked in the Napoleonic army (The Hussar of Conflans). Brigadier Gerard tells the tales of his adventures sitting in the cafè, in Paris, towards the evening of his life. This book is a collection of short stories of Brigadier's adventures. 

How Brigadier Gerard lost his ear: Gerard falls in love with daughter of the Duke of Venice and is captured for this indiscretion. He makes a great sacrifice for his love. 

How the Brigadier captured Saragossa: Here he acts as a spy to blow up the powder repository in the city of Saragossa-Spain and capture the city. 

How the Brigadier slew the fox: Gerard is hated by the English for his unpardonable crime. And he was unaware of it. 

How the Brigadier saved the army: Gerard is tasked to give a signal to the army, stationed away from main army, to retreat. He has to do this in hostile territory, even at the cost of his life.  

How Brigadier triumphed in England. While he was guest of Lord Roughton Gerard stood up for the honor of a lady. But it all ended differently. 

How the Brigadier rode to Minsk: Gerard is tasked to aquire food for starving French army in snow covered Russia. 

How Brigadier bore himself at Waterloo: Brigadier was assigned a special task by the Emperor. That made him miss the war. Then he takes on the responsibility of saving the Emperor single handedly. 

The last adventure: Gerard reaches the island of  St. Helena, where Napoleon was banished. Objective rescue Napoleon. But the mission fails for no fault of his. 

Marriage of Brigadier: Brigadier is given an option to either marry or forget his lady love. His nemesis, a bull, chased him. To what end?

Gerard is very brave and chivalrous man.  He has peculiar personality traits. His most notable attribute is his vanity. He is proud, pompous, boastful, lucky, lady killer, good story teller, never gives up, thinks on his feet and is a survivor. His ego is boosted by his achievements. He even goes on to suggest that had he been able to participate in the battle of Waterloo, the out come might have been different & Napoleon might have won.

Narration is very good. The French induced English is entertaining and compliments the story. Character of Gerard undergoes subtle  changes with age as the stories progress. Earlier stories have a enthusiastic Gerard, then he becomemes flamboyant, then wise, then wistful and then tired. Author should be applauded for this gradual and natural progression.

Author has used French view of English and vice versa to enrich the characters, enhance drama and add to hilarity. 

The adventures takes place in Napoleon's times, that means more than a century ago. It was an era without modern weapons, modes of transport and means of communication. Horses were the mode of transport, guns and muskets were the weapons and communication was through messengers. Despite this author does not allow any degradation of interest. 

Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his immortal character Sherlock Holmes, a franchise still making money. However I did not know about his Etien Gerard until I read the book. Here he displays a very different writing style. Here he is hilarious and witty. This book is a delight. 

Why did I read this book? Author, Curiosity. 

What I didn't like? Story of Napoleon's defeat. 

What did I like? Everything else. 

A good book. Recommend reading.