Bulletin Board

Hello Mr. Cornwell, Today I read the Harlequin, the battle of the ford of the river Somme. The scenes of the battle I would eat if I was a film! You believe that I am dreaming of the film of the Grail Series? I dreamed one day of these of the trailer, and already I am imagining the beginning of the film. If the film will be faithful to the novels, it goes to be one of the films with bigger ticket office of all the times! If it will be necessary, I go to read this series for third, fourth and until the fifth time! Bye Mr. Cornwell, M.M. Garrute

Dear Bernard I've read nearly all the Sharpe novels and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I'm beginning to think I preferred the Grail Quest. Not so sure about the others, it's certainly not a criticism, the topics and periods just don't appeal quite so much - I think you feel the same way about the crusades? I always read the historical notes at the end of each book because they add a lot to the context, and I picked up your comments on the epidemiology of the Pestilence in Heretic. The anthrax theory is a bit dated - I think Ziegler introduced it in The Black Death (1970s)- and there's a lot of current research on the possibility of a haemorrhagic fever such as Marburg or Ebola being involved. Liverpool Universty are running tests on the remains of victims to try and identify the DNA traces of the viruses. Looking forward to the next book! Martyn Kerr

I've been thrilled with the Saxon series. After reading the Arthur books I had been hoping for something like this, as it's my favorite period of British history. Nuts to Starbuck. There are loads of people writing Civil War novels, but there aren't many people who are literate in Old English and can write a good Saxon novel. I'm thrilled with the news that you expect this to be a long-running series. I recently reread Sharpe's Escape, and wanted to pass on that it's my favorite of the Sharpes. I really enjoyed the way that Sharpe was essentially a force of nature. I loved that Ferragus saw Sharpe coming for almost half the book, and was terrified of him after the escape. And to hell with character continuity; I enjoyed the way that Sharpe dealt with Lawford and other superiors, without the awkwardness and self-doubt he had in the first batch of books. I'd love to see more of this Sharpe. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to loads of fan email, even if you have to answer "the Starbuck question" on a weekly basis. It's appreciated.
Eric Sivers

Possible techincal error if I am reading it right. Stonehenge page 108 of paper back edition says "The sun sank beneath the horizon just as Lahanna, huge and pale, rose above the western trees." Am I misreading the idea here or should this read eastern trees. No big deal, just thought you might want to correct it in future editions. Randy Nolan

Dear Mr. Cornwell I've just finished Waterloo and passed it along to my brother as I have with all your other books. I believe we may be able to shed some light on why your U.S. publisher published it as "Waterloo" rather than "Sharpe's Waterloo" as it was in England. We think it is a matter of National perspective. In Great Britain I'm sure that Waterloo evokes images of a great victory. In the U.S., since France was our ally at the time of the battle, Waterloo evokes an image of a great defeat, as in the expression "He met his Waterloo". The title "Sharpe's Waterloo" then could be interpreted in the U.S. as a humiliating defeat for Sharpe and I'm sure that was not the impression that the publisher wanted readers to have. Steven Hall

Mr. Cornwell, I recently picked up a copy of your 2003 book "Heretic" at Barnes & Noble. I was really enjoying the book until I came to page 170 and read a statement by the character Sir Guillaume. You have him blurt out the words "Jesus goddamned Christ." Mr. Cornwell, I am no prude or religious nut. I am a Viet-Nam vet and a retired police officer and have done my own share of swearing. However those words offended me deeply. My faith in Christ is the cornerstone of my life and I am troubled that you used the name of Christ in that way. You, of course, have every right to do so and I do not favor censorship. I just thought I would ask you to think that maybe some degree of respect should be shown the Lord's name. I know that the character is profane and crude, but maybe some other phrase could get the point across without taking away from the story. I will probably not finish this book and may not read any more of yours. Please consider what I have to say and remember that opinions are like a-holes... we all have one. And that's mine. Thanks, Bill Brown

Just finished The Last Kingdom, which is the first book of yours that I have read. I am no expert in the hisrotical period, nor even a true initiate, but your historical backgrounds have the ring of truth and gave me a flavor of the times. However, and this is a big HOWEVER, with the character Brida you seem to be throwing a sop to the politically correct feminists,or unconsciously interpolating, present day gender issues. You have done what you accuse the chroniclers of Edmund of doing with the later accounts of his death: twisting it for ideology sake. The idea of this early teen girl being given a mount in the Danish army, of successfully "insisting" on being admitted to Tatwine's force, taking her place with the men at the tavern, etc., etc. is quite absurd. Notwithstanding, I read the book to the end and felt I was rewarded with a fierce yarn and some good history as well. Michael Walsh

Hello Mr Cornwell I have just finished reading the Warlord chronicles and i just wanted to say how much i enjoyed them. They truly took me on a journey, i could feel, smell, taste and touch the action. I have always been interested in the Arthur myths, and found your books very stimulating on that subject. It made me wish to be a warrior in Dark Ages Britain. Just wanted to say thanks and keep up the good work. Best Regards Andrew

Hello, I'm just writing to add to what another reader posted on Nov 28th. My sister and I live in Brittany and have been reading books on Arthur for years and years. When my sister purchased your Arthur Trilogy we both became completely obsessed by the books and were incapable to put them down until we had finished them. We both agree that they are by far the best books about Arthur that we have ever read and we would really love them to be put to film. Thank you for giving us the possibility to momentarily experience another era. Amity, 23, from Broceliande

dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a ninteen year old boy that never liked to read any thing, until I read your books. I just wanted to thank you, I know that you hear this all the time but I wanted you to know that you are the reason why I love to read now. I have read the Warlord chronicles, the Archer's tale, parts of the Starbuck chronicles and I just finished the Last Kingdom. Your ability to show these characters and make them in way relateable to young men like me is amazing. These books inspire me to go out into the world and do great things. so I guess I am just thankful for your books and know that you have gained a fan for life. sincerly, Daniel Paxton La Habra Ca.