Bulletin Board

Dear Mr Cornwell. I'd just like to thank you for introducing me to joys of recreational reading. Up until about 2 months ago I had never really enjoyed reading. I occasionally read a non-fictional account of some event or person to satisfy my interest in history (and, of course, I read in order to succeed in school) but other than that I had never taken an interest in reading as a hobby. I found it very difficult to find an author or a genre that could keep my attention away from the television. That all changed 2 months ago when my in-laws bought me the first four books of the Starbuck Chronicles. I enjoyed them so much that I found it difficult to put them down and, when I was finished reading Battle Flag, I found it difficult to even think of reading another book. I felt as though I would betray my trust in Nathaniel Starbuck if I put my confidence in another protaganist. Since then I have learned to love Derfel Cadarn even more as I've just now finished reading Excalibur. Anyways, I'd just like to thank you for inspiring me to put down the T.V. remote and to pick up the novel, and I look forward standing on the edge of my seat through the course of your other books (I think I'll start the Saxon Stories tommorow!) Your New Loyal Fan, Jordan

Mr. Cornwell, I am not much of a reader. In fact, I read maybe one or two books a year. I noticed the cover of the Pale Horseman at my friend's house and thought to myself, "Now there's a great image ffor a book." I read the first few pages and was hooked. I read the Pale Horseman, the Last Kingdom (yes, not in the correct order, but the enjoyment certainly wasn't affected), and the Lords of the North in 2 weeks. For some reason, I thought the Saxon Stories were a trilogy, so something happened to me which I have never experienced while reading a book. With about 40 pages left in the Lords of the North, I actually felt a sense of dread that this wonderful, exhilirating journey was coming to an end. Well, you can imagine my relief when I read the last line of the Historical Note. Thank you so much for Uhtred. And best (albeit selfish) wishes for many more Ragnarsonian adventures! (Glad to hear you have family on Vancouver Island.) Cary Chiu, Victoria BC

Dear Mr Cornwell I have just finished and thoroughly enjoyed Lords of the North, as a native of Northumberland (exciled to Wales) it probably had that greater resonance. However I really look forward to the return of Nathanial Starbuck, could you make it soon please. Kindest regards, Paul Wallace

Hi Bernard, Your may recall in a distant memory several years ago receiving a letter from a hotel in Sorrento in which I thanked you for making my holiday extra enjoyable having bought my first Sharpe paperback at the airport. I then had the pleasure of meeting you on your tour for the launch of Sharpe's Trafalgar at Wellingborough library in 2000 and look forward to again at some future date. But I'm put pen to paper (or digit to keyboard) to thank you for coming on another great holiday with me where I had saved Lords of the North and Sharpe's Fury to accompany me. I thought they were both great and I particularly enjoyed Fury as I went to the Costa Del Sol and felt I was only "around the corner" from the battles not being very far from the Cadiz region. We travelled into the mountains and crossed named rivers from the book, went to Gibraltar which was referred to on several occasions and it felt like I was there with Sharpe, but then I am in all of your stories. Thank you again for some wonderful writing, excellent stories and for making holidays extra special. I look forward to the next holiday (sorry, book) but will I have to wait until next September, according to Amazon, for your next publication? I hope its not that long but it will be worth the wait. King regards David Lightfoot

I finished a very pleasant task this past summer. Having read all the Sharpe books, randomly, I decided to assign myself the task of reading them all again, chronologically. I was stunned by the consistency of detail, the consistent and natural evolution of persons and places. Frankly, I think Sharpe journied once to many, to South America. But, whatever, it was a delightful summer of reading and I frequently evaded things I should be doing to keep up with Sharpe and Harper. My new task? To re-read your trilogies, in order this time. Thank you for hundreds of hours of intelligent entertainment. Robert Kent.

V I am a huge fan! I have a comprehensive collection of your work including all the Sharpe books, Starbuck, Grail Quest, Warlord Trilogy & Stonehenge and yet I am still disappointed. The story of Richard Sharpe finished with Sharpe's Devil, after which you continued to write Sharpe books retrospectively even going back to his days with the 33rd in India. These books were of course excellent, but my favourite series is actually the Starbuck Chronicles which seemed to me to end in the middle of a story with so much more of the civil war to be fought. I have now waited in vain for 10 years for the tale to continue and would be eternally grateful if you could return to Messire Starbuck in the not too distant future. Lastly I would just like to say that I thought the introduction of Sharpe's son into the storyline was a masterstroke and very ingenious and to thank you for uncountable hours of reading pleasure.
Graeme Collins

Dear Sir, I must congratulate you on a (so far) fantastic book. I am currently reading The Lords of the North and am just past page 88. I think that last night, while reading this book, I actually burst out laughing at one particular sentence. The sentence was to do with the carrying of St Cuthberts coffin, which was covered by a fine green cloth, and the discription of a raven flying overhead and "splattering the cloth with shit". It was just the way it was written, I couldn't stop laughing, it was such a random description of a seemingly unimportant event. It's genius and for some reason the image of a lone raven coming out of nowhere and covering this cloth with shit and the look of horror on the priests faces just has me in stitches. I congratulate you on a most masterfull piece of literature. If anyone is interested it is the middle of P88 of the UK hardback version. Great. Edward May

Dear Bernard Cornwell, Sharpe's Challenge was recently shown on the Australian public broadcaster (ABC). I was looking forward to it immensely, but have to say I was disappointed. I thought the characterisation of Sharpe and Harper were excellent, just as I imagined them. However, the plot such as it was, was just a lot of colour and movement, not a patch on your novels. I do realise that this is down to the producers, not to you, and that it must be difficult to combine three novels into one mini-series. However, it was interesting to see how they restructured the action and moved it to 1818. And what on earth was an Irish horse trader doing in India anyway? Nonetheless, I hope to find the other Sharpe programs. I don't think they have been shown in Australia. Keep up the good work! Elizabeth Smith

I wish to thank you for the many happy hours I have had reading your books, and also mention the sense of loss I feel after finishing each book. I hope you go on to write many more wonderfull books. Many thanks Derek J. Connell.

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to say thank you for the books you've written. I've read the grail quest, the Arthur books and I'm currently finishing up the Saxon stories (lords of the north). I was a big fan of James Clavell & Gary Jennings, but ever since I started reading your novels, they are very difficult to put down (sounds corny because you've probably heard this a thousand times). I do see some similarities within your books with the main characters (loners at first, issues with religion, always gets the girl(s)) and I always enjoy your endings. I don't know how old you are, but I hope you stick around to write some more great novels. Maybe England in the 19th century? You are truly blessed with a talent and maybe we'll call you Sir Bernard Cornwell! Take care, Carlo Martello Montreal, Canada