Bulletin Board

Dear Bernard, I love many of your books and have devoted much space on my bookshelves at home to your titles, especially Sharpe. I would dearly love to read more about the adventures of Rider Sandman (Gallows Thief was a genuine page-turner) and Nate Starbuck, so please be sure not to forget them in the future. Keep up the good work. Greg Noonan, Brisbane Australia

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Unforunately I have no manuscript, no book idea and nothing to send for your signature!!! I only wish to express my appreciation for all the marvelous stories you have so far told, and to tell you that (since you are two years younger than I) how much I look forward to your continuing efforts. As you might imagine, I can read faster than you can write so I'm always waiting! I could tell you how much I enjoy your writing style, how much I admire and appreciate the depth of your research, how I would compare you to Poe, Haggard, Doyle, the currently popular guys in the US, even to dear Winston, but I'm guessing you're heard that already. The most personal thing I can say is that you add a fascinating dimension to my life that brings me great joy and satisfaction. That's the best way I have to explain what your books and work mean to an American cousin. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Tom Verdel

Just finished THE LAST KINGDOM. Great! Can't wait for the rest of the series. I come from English/Welsh/Irish stock, and this is all very interesting. I've read almost all your books, and I'm astounded by your work. Jay Perley

Hi Bernard, I just finished reading the three books of The Grail Quest. Absolutely incredible!!! I have to thank you and God for the chance to read them. Very, very good reading. A look into the dark past of our ancestors, a lot of it being very hard to believe. Hard to believe that our ancestors could so brutally kill one another, and yet carry honor and chivalrey. But, I guess when you are faced with an enemy that wants to cut you down, you just react with the same blood lust to protect yourself and what you believe in. It was a very dark time in our history that I pray we never have to face again. Again, I would just like to thank you for an educating look into our past. You are an inspiration to the author's community. An author that can make you visualize in detail the happenings of the story. It was like I was there watching the story unfold with my very own eyes. The only disapointing thing, is that the story ended. I am now very hungry to read more. And, I am wanting to practise for a lifetime to master the English Yew War Bow. Thank You very Sincerly, It has been a pleasure and an honor to be able to read your story. I wish you all the best, and I can't wait to enter into the world of another one of your incredible stories. William George Cyrl McIvor

Hello. Before I continue, I must admit I'm not an avid reader (much less read any of your books save for one, which I'll get to). I prefer movies, as they are stories I'm able to share with my friends. But recently I made a trip to my local library to check out the epic Beowulf. No doubt you've heard of it, for, so it would seem, you are also a fan of the Northmen. While I was there, I chose to check out another book about the period of time we now refer to as the "Viking Age". I came up The Last Kingdom. I finished Beowulf, which I was impressed with yet dissappointed by the length, and then cracked open your book. It started quickly and ended the same, the action rolling non-stop. An epic tale of a boy who must become a man. I was well aware of the exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok (or Lodbrok as it's sometimes spelled) and his sons, and continually tried to read further into their tales but found the same vauge stories. Your book provided my not only the knowledge I sought, but a great deal of entertainment. I have already suggested the book to several people, and plan to buy my own copy, and I will continue to read your stories. You are no doubt a great writer, out shining the over rated JK Rowlings, and ranking with Tolkien himself. I'm 18 right now, and hoping to go to film school, and one day, after I've made a movie of my own script, hopefully I'll be able to adapt this book and those that follow (I'll, of course, seek your approval if and when that happens). Thanks for the great book, and continue writing! Dylan

I am a member of a message board dedicated to all the writings of Bernard Cornwell. Sadly we lack members. As you can imagine this makes the discussions and input rather limited. I'm writing to you to ask if you could display the website address on your site. Posted on the Bulletin Board for a week or so would be wonderful. The address is: www.hookton.com . All our site really needs is some new members who love the books of Bernard Cornwell and would like to discuss them with like-minded fans. Thank you. Tony.

Referring to the pronucniation of the names in the Warlord series, you might be interested in the English names there: "Aelle - Ay (rhyme with bay) - ella" should be 'all-e' rhymes with 'valour' "Cerdic - Serdic" should be Cher-dic Just thought you should be aware. Thanks for an enjoyable series of books. Steve Pollington

I write to you, Mr. Cornwell, through felicitous tears, having just set down The Crowning Mercy. Funny how these things come to us. I've watched, in awe, as my husband has read your novels voraciously over these last years...and he has invited me, again and again, to read your books. Always immersed in one classic or another, whether for my teaching at university or for personal delight, I would defer. Finally, this week, he said to me, "Read this book, the first 10-15 pages, and if you hate it, I'll never ask you to read another one of his books again." Since I started it, I was unable to stop reading, so engrossed was I within the language and story you've written...and how prolific you are, as I've heard my husband speak about the Sharpe novels! If you'd like a good guffaw...my husband thought I would find his reading of your novels rapacious, as though they were some sort of Harlequin historical novel, as I sat, perched on high, reading Bronte, Tolstoy, Woolf... But,...and I hope you will take this only as a compliment...I am able to draw many parallels between you and Tolstoy. You bring one to tears of felicity, sorrow, anger, compassion, then back again. I adore your characters, associate with them, and most importantly, believe in them. I, too, am a writer; however, your writing has spurred me to improve my own writing, though truth to tell, I've much work still to do...especially having read your work. I'd love to attend any conferences for which you are a speaker, and my husband would even join me! Usually, he finds the topics at these conferences, at the very least, mundane, but it would be a pleasure to share the passion we've come to admire in your writing. I raise my glass to you (hope that's not too, too cliché), for we've no doubt that some day your work will be termed classic literature. Cheers! Candice Simmons

I was lucky enough to catch your talk at the Imperial War Museum at the end of last year (coinciding with the release of The Last Kingdom). I really enjoyed the experience, particularly your start when you said that you write popular rather than literary fiction, it was an inspiration to hear someone as successful as yourself praising story-telling. The only thing I found annoying at the IMW was the number of people who asked you questions on the TV series, despite your making it clear that it was little to do with you. I couldn't get my own question in & one I think you might have enjoyed answering! My main reason for writing is that I am about to make my first serious attempt at publishing my own work. It happens to be in the crime genre, but I have none the less found the advice to authors on your website absolutely invaluable (see FAQ page). I would like to thank you for providing such a comprehensive guide for others to follow. I also think it's a mark of your own skill that, unlike many other authors, you are content to share your methods with others. I look forward to The Pale Horseman, with which I wish you every success (not that you need it). Once again, many thanks. Rafe McGregor

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm not very confident you can read this message but trying anyway. I'm just a big fan of you here in the tropics (Brazil). I first met your books when, last year, my husband just presented me with Arthur's books for my birthday. It was my very best gift, ever. Since then, I run looking forward to your books in Brazil. I read already The Grail Quest, The Gallows Thief and few days ago, I finished reading Sharpe's Tiger. Now, just waiting for your other amazing books to arrive in Brazil. I wish you all the best and I really hope you keeping presenting us with your blessing mind. Thank You ! Katia Tessorolo