Bulletin Board

Mr. Cornwell, I just want to let you know how much I have enjoyed SHARPE'S ESCAPE. My husband picked up the book on a whim, knowing how much I enjoy historical novels. About the only time I put it down was to order four more books of the series. It's wonderful to be able to follow a "hero" through sequels. Thank you! Donna Joyce

dear Mr. Cornwell I first noticed your work when "Sharpe's Tiger" came out, since I have a soft spot for tigers I deciede to buy it. and "Redcoat" too. "Sharpe's Tiger" wasn't what I expected but I really liked it. Now I think I own every Sharpe book in the series. "Redcoat" is one of my favorites. I don't find a lot of people my age reading your books (myself being 23) but I enjoy them, almost to the point of getting to work late or not getting any sleep because I can't put them down. I am looking forward to reading "Heretic" now that school is done. Thank you so much for sharing your work with us. Stephanie Burgess

Dear Mr. Cornwell, first I would like to say that I love your works, I have read the Grail Quest series as well as the Aurthurian chronicles. However, in the course of reading the Aurthurian chronicles I could not help but seeing a perfectly laid out movie playing in my head, and I wondered if you had ever considered adapting these, or any of your books into screenplays. Also, I would like to tell you that I recommended your books to one of my english teachers and that he will be teaching The Winter King next school year to his sophomore class. Not that this comment warrants a response, I just thought you might like to know that your works are being taught. However, I would like a response as to if you had considered adapting a screenplay. Thank you very much, Jack Funk

I read with some interest your article 'Most Peculiar' in the Telegraph Magazine of 25.06.05, since both my own parents were brought up in The Peculiar People and for some time my father acted as chauffeur to their bishop Heddle. My experience was, fortunately, very different from yours, and I experienced a very happy childhood. My father particularly was one of the most loving and supportive people I have known. My point is writing to you is to suggest that there may be an alternative view of The Peculiar People than the one you describe. It is true they held some strange views, and in fact, my own parents left the denomination over the issue of medical treatment. However within my extended family of some eleven families all associated with the PP's to a greater or lesser extent, I never came across any abuse or cruelty or had any reason to view them as anything worse than 'a bit odd'. The Peculiar People's beliefs, admittedly extreme, contained the truth of the Christian Gospel, and for my own family, God scored rather better than the devil. Obviously any opinions on issues such as this are bound to be subjective and the truth difficult to find. In any event, I congratulate you in your success after a difficult childhood and wish God's blessing on you for the future. Paul Wagstaff

Dear Mr Cornwell Thank you for your outstanding books, I am a soldier myself, and have enjoyed the Sharpes series, My Regiment fought amongst other places at Albuhera, But I love the Warlord Books above all as I am proud of being a Briton, I have read them so many times and never bore with them, I have followed Thomas of Hookton, and now October cannot come quick enough to read more about Uthred. outstanding thank you very much, Kindest Regards, John

Mr Cornwell, I have just completed viewing the later Sharpe videos finishing with Sharpe's Mission. Whie the plots were interesting enough and held the attention why did the producers not stay with the original plot of YOUR stories. They have everything. I think, in some way, the alterations did not do justice to your original stories and the stories lost that "something". Ian Hinks

Glad to read about "The Pale Horseman". I think you've already answered Brian Denney's question about the Revolutionary War - I think we Brits know it as the American War of Independance. Can I say that "Redcoat" is probably one of the best fiction stories of that period and really deserves to be made into a mini-series with somebody like Sigourney Weaver, only younger, as the widow Crowl. I rarely see any mention of your more modern novels such as Sea Lord, Wildtrack, Stormchild, Scoundrel or Crackdown, all of which are hugely enjoyable. Now going to my collection to pick out one of your books to re-read for the nth time. David Coote

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My friend Buddy Peyton just dropped you a line so I figured it would be in order for me to do so. Many thanks for the great books. I've learned a lot reading them over the years. In addition to keeping quite well entertained, I think the historical details do a good job at giving the reader insight into a very different time. The historical notes at the end of the novels are the best--truth is frequently stranger than fiction indeed. I think it was a year ago (or so) when you were on a book tour and took the time to do an interview on our local radio station WILL AM 580 on the the show David Inge hosts. I'd love it if you'd come back on the show whenever you're doing the next tour. One of many a fan in Champaign, IL, Jay

Dear Mr Cornwell, I would just like to thank you for the tremendous work you have done. I first read one of your books whilst still a student at university (The Winter King). It not only fired my interest in the course I was currently studying - Anglo-Saxon England - but also helped to guide me upon the course I have since followed. After reading the Warlord Chronicles, I realised that the mistake my own history teachers had made was to teach history as dry facts and dates ("Kings, battles and bishops", I believe the concept is called). Since qualifying as a teacher of history I have endeavoured to teach history in a more lively and exciting format - often blatantly 'borrowing' sections from your books to illustrate a point (please do not send those famed lawyers after me!). Also, your books have served a far more valuable purpose - I have been able to recommend them to a number of students who showed interest in history and those that have read them have found that rare quality in today's youth - a love of reading. I was prompted to write to you when a former student of mine (who is currently studying history at the University of Kent) informed me that she owes a great deal of her interest in the subject to a lesson in which I read a passage from The Winter King and then asked the class to produce something similar about the topic we were currently discussing. So, in conclusion, allow me to say thank you and keep up the good work! All the best, Sanjay Perera

It is now four minutes after six Sunday morning. I bought "A Crowning Mercy" Friday night and started reading it yesterday morning. Now it is daylight, the birds are singing, and I have not yet been to bed -- but I have finished your book. So, a pox on you and Judy for ruining my sleep -- and thank you for a damn good read. David Saunders