Yes, you're completely right about them not really being suitable for the fourteen year old Nicola. Flashman is written as a rather complex, yet fully fleshed and believable character, and completely of his time. Thinking about them, I felt inspired to re-read them, but then I was concerned that maybe my tastes have changed since I read them and i would find them slightly disappointing. This is the same reason I have put off re-reading "I, Claudius." I know they're not the same but when I tried to re-read some of Jame A Michener, I found I couldn't.

Actually, too, thinking about Flashman: I have it wrong. He called himself Flashie, I think. Flash Harry was George Cole from St Trinians.