Bulletin Board

Hello Mr Cornwell. Over the years I have read nearly all of your books, my particular favourite being good old 'Sharpie'. I have just finished reading 'Fallen Angels' and being somewhat of a student of the French Revolution, I found the book masterly. By the way have you read any of the Richard Howard novels his hero 'Alain Lausard' is remarkably like 'Richard Sharpe'. I know that he writes under an alias, and indeed I thought for a time that it may be yourself?. Also being an expert archer myself, I found the 'Grail Quest' series absolutely spot on and very, very absorbing. I hope there will be more. many thanks, take care. Graham Peebles

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to tell you how much me and my father appreciate your novels on Richard Sharpe, especially the ones that take place in Portugal. We are both big afficionados of Iberian and Latin American History and love to read novels that deal with the histories of those two regions of the world. Being speakers of Portuguese we really appreciate the way you properly transliterated the portuguese language in Sharpe's Havoc. One of our pet peeves is when authors portray Portuguese or Brazilian characters as speaking Spanish. It is small things like that that show your meticulous research and attention to detail. Keep up the good work. Um abraco, John Gill

I just read your book, The Last Kingdom...I don't read hardly at all, not because I can't but more because I find it hard to find books that really interest me. I am compelled to send you this email to congratulate you on a great book. I really enjoyed every page and maybe you could give me some forsight as to when the next episode will be published. Great work, great book, great job! :) Tristan N.

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I'm 18 years old and will hopefully be studying next year at Kings College London for a BA in War Studies. As an 8 year old boy my father placed a copy of Sharpe's Rifles on my bed. That night I think I became your youngest fan (the line "piss on you, you bastard" was ofcourse my favourite due to the colourful language). Your writing has influenced my interests, and very probably my future career immensely, and for that I cannot thank you enough. Regards, Chris

Just finished your latest book "The Last Kingdom". Another great story! I hope this does not mean I have to wait a year for another one.
Jack Chomko

At the weekend I heard you on Desert Island Discs and was struck by the forthright and painfully frank account of your adoption. I simply wanted to thank you for that as a fellow adoptee, and also one who didn't have the rose-tinted upbringing so many seem to have had - or as portrayed on television programmes. I do find the whole subject slanted towards the adoptive parents and how they feel about it all, and their sadness at not being able to have children of their own. This was my experience, and even now, my mother doesn't appear to quite understand that I was the other part of the equation; indeed she recently went to her monthly Thursday Group, in which they had a woman speaker who'd been adopted and she gave 'a talk on how wonderful it was, and what a sacrifice adoptive parents make when they choose a child and how lucky the child is to be chosen!' The strangest thing was that my mother related all this to me as if I were a disinterested observer. Anyway, sorry to go on. I write too, two and a half novels to date circling the ether looking for a safe place to land. Thanks for listening Bernard and I admit I haven't read your stuff, but will now. Jacqui

Bernard, I am a voracious reader. After finishing Hugo's 'Toiler of the sea', I was in a trance and was reluctant to start any other book withing few days. I happenned to came across your 'Herectic' the day after I finished Hugo. Very very shortly I am swept away and can't stop thinking about Thomas of Hookton or Planchard. I haven't finished it yet, but I am pleased that I came across your book. I even gifted two of your books (without reading) to one of my friends. I am proud to live on this earth with you.
Monish Sengupta

I am an over the road truckdriver and watch the rental racks at the truck stops for the Sharpe series. I have read [in this order] kSharpe's Tiger, Sharpe's Revenge, and Sharpe's Enemy. Enjoyed all three very, very much. Sharpe's Enemy is so far my favorite, the ending of it left me in pain and sympathy for not only Richard Sharpe but for Pvt. Hakeswill as well. kA tormented soul who anesthesized his own pain with the suffering of others, but a victim himself nontheless. I look forward to discovering more volumes as I travel the U.S. Thank you for the joy you bring to me. Stephen Vermillion

Dear Mr Cornwall: I've just heard the 'Desert Island Discs' programme (re-brodcast today, February 20th) and have to say what an impression you made on me! I'm also a war baby (a year older than you) but by no means as successful! How I'd love to be an author but, while I enjoy writing, that confleunce of events or non-events never happended in my life and I ended up a husband and father...so am all the more impressed by your success! And your own eventful life - I will now go out and buy your biography! Best wishes, Mike Abbott

Dear Mr. Cornwell I have just finished your trilogy about the Archer from Hookton. As well written as I have ever read. I really could not put the books down. This has only occured to me from two other authors. I read about 30 books per year. I'm looking forward to starting on your Sharpe's series. Again, Thanks for your skill. Respectfully, Bill Ballentine