by James Delingpole
Historical Fiction/Humour
With his older brother dead, Dick Coward finds himself in a battle of honours with his simpering twin. The prize is the family inheritance and his father will leave it to whichever of them gains the most laurels in their military career. But that's not why, after seeing action all over the world, Dick volunteers to join the 47 (RM) Commando as they storm the beaches of Normandy. A girl is the real reason, a girl who isn't being entirely truthful with poor old Dick. Somehow he and Price, his batman when an officer but now his Sergeant, survive the disastrous landings of D-Day and the folly of Dick's determination to keep his promise to his beloved (but secretly married) Gina. Another adventure awaits Dick but the honours are still in short supply.
Coward On The Beach is sold as an updated Flashman but Coward isn't half the character -- and not a fraction the cad -- that Flashy is. There's a bit too much referencing of Dick's previous adventures and, at the beginning particularly, the novel can't quite decide if it's Flashman, Jeeves or Boys' Own adventure. When the action gets going and Delingpole's thorough research and respect for the men of 47 (RM) Commando comes through, then things really pick up and the novel becomes a much better read.
Not a patch on Flashman but still worth a read as, hopefully, will be any further installments.