Bernard Cornwell

Sharpe's Rifles

Note: I'm not even sure the author is European, but it just seems fit.

An action-packed novel situated during the Peninsular War, that is the Spanish War of Independence against France. Entertaining and historically satisfying fictional episode of the Napoleonic Wars within Spain's nortwest corner, exactly during Sir John Moore's retreat to La Coruña. As the author well points out, this episode did not happen historically, but fighting did take place through the mountainous regions of northwest Spain and even in Santiago de Compostela, so this ficticious story does go well with the historical facts that we know. It's fun reading and it's an excellent historical piece. I would say that Cornwell does and excellent job portraying the Spanish people and mores as well as the British soldiers, Irish included, who come out authentic. The characters and their nationalities are drawn with talent through their actions and words.