Bulletin Board

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.

Greetings, I've been a fan of your writing for many years, the Sharpe & Grail Quest series particularly. I recently began The Gallows Thief and can't tell you how much I am enjoying it. The characters and dialog are wonderful and I find myself re-reading paragraphs and whole pages to make the book last. The downside of course is the realization that there are no other Rider Sandman books to move on to. I'm not sure how you keep up the amount of writng you already produce, but another in this series would be much appreciated. Thanks for many pleasurable hours of reading! Dan Sheffer Tucson, AZ

I just finished Lord of the North and felt compelled to express how much I enjoy your writing. The Saxon Stories and Arthur series are my favorite books and you have become my Favorite Author by far. Thank you and keep up the good writing.
Anthony Whitley

Dear Mr Cornwell. Just a line to tell you how very much I have enjoyed reading your books.I feel as though I know the characters, have visited the places and taken part in the battles.I have but one request. Could you please write faster? Yours sincerely. Peter Madden.

Mr. Cornwell, A thank you for writing the Arthur novels! The retelling is simply refreshing to the romanticized and Christianized versions to which we're all exposed, in legend, media, and literature. Lancelot a "bad guy?" -- people too proud often are. Arthur "human?" -- if only all of our leaders had their ambition tempered by humility and even shame. And historical accuracy (at least for the time period)? -- finally! These books have tied The Lord of the Rings triology on my all-time favorites list. I look forward to reading your other books. Lisa Kort-Butler

I should not begin by saying that I have never written an author before, even if it is true as day break, the reason for this is that my favorite writers growing up were deceased. An example would be Edgar Rice Burroughs. The magic of those pot boilers would transport my mind to another place and another time. Now there is so little time to read, raising a family of my own, that investing time in a book is not like picking up a magazine at a doctor's office and thumbing through waiting to visit another waiting room with older magazines. So when I began reading "An Archers Tale", sorry I know you prefer the oringinal title but I can't spell Harlequin, I began picking up more of your books. When a sculpter hammers away, or painter dabs bits of colour on canvas there is often that nagging feeling, "is it any good?" There are plenty of people banging away and pumping out two dimensional tripe. Breathing life back into the past and resurrecting characters from forgotten ages takes real talent. By cobbling mere words together an author must create a picture and fill that image with life. You have done this chore in spades with a talent and craftmaship that is a marvel. Two books that I enjoyed very much revolved around some celtic Saints Patrick- Stephen Lawhead Columba- Nigel Tranter Unfortunately Nigel has passed away and his books are difficult to find in the US. I suppose I should drop Mr. Lawhead a note. In any event I thought if you plied your talents to bringing alive one of Britains forgotten Saints it would make a great read. Another forgotten people are the picts, which would make for a swell series. It would not disappoint your legion of fans and you know I would buy a copy. I digress... Thank you for the pleasure your books provide I am enjoying them to and from work in audio format which is a real treat. I wish you all the best and good health so you can fill more shelves with your special creations. I am especially looking forward to the next installment of the Saxon Stories, following "The Pale Horseman". Cheers, JKF

I've seen all the Sharpe eps on BBC America and decided to read your books. Lo and behold on the jacket cover I find you are the same age as I and got inspired by Hornblower. I have all the books in that Hornblower Saga after starting reading them before my tenth birthday. I read Sharpe's Eagle with a book called "The Spanish Ulcer" by David Gates. This book gives a rather good look at `Old Nosey' in Spain I think. Thank You for the books...R C Johnston