Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been thinking about writing to you for a long time and what you wrote in the introduction of Sharpe’s Story eventually decided me. Because I am a Frog, a real one, living in south of France (Toulouse) without any Celtic roots and yet I love Sharpe’s story (and every other story you wrote). I read every one of Sharpe novels in English and when I saw that Sharpe’s Eagle was translated into French I jumped for joy because my mother does not read English and she read all Hornblower and Jack Aubrey (which I did not yet) and loved them. I wanted to prove her that Sharpe was their equal. She is now convinced with the three first books. But she was already convinced that your stories were very good because she previously read the Arthur books, the Grail Quest and now, the first two novels of Uhtred of Bebbanburg even if your books in French are difficult to find (for example, Stonehenge is unavailable now and I regret because I found it brilliant). The first book I read is the Winter King, I found it by chance, 10 years ago in a French library (now Amazon facilitates my task for finding your books in English). I thought it was the best book I ever read on Arthur and I devoured the two following books and Stonehenge. So when I found my first book of Sharpe, I was tempted but since I am not a fan of military stories, I hesitated; not for long. It was Sharpe’s Tiger and I became fan of such a soldier, so I read the twenty other novels in almost chronological order and Skirmish and Christmas. As I liked Sean Bean as an actor (he is not very known in France; actually I must be a weird Frenchwoman), I tried also the two first episodes of the Sharpe TV series and, of course, bought the entire series. Because it was well before the first translation of a book into French, I translated the subtitles, re-encoded it to make Sharpe known to my family. But what I really don’t understand is why this series is completely unknown in France (French actors play in it, as well as British well-known ones and furthermore its quality is very good). I think that I saw some days ago that the series was doubled in French but I am not sure of it (and I cannot imagine Sharpe speaking French or at least only with Lucille). Speaking of Lucille, I think it is a very very funny end for Sharpe, living in France but it proves he has a very good taste and I was very happy to read it. I agree with what you wrote in Sharpe’s Story, Hakeswill is the best enemy and Lucille the best wife for Sharpe and also Harper is the best friend. I was very sad when I closed the last book of Sharpe, then Uhtred came and, at times, he reminds me of Sharpe, same humour, same mauvaise foi (bad faith?), same good soldier, same love of church and priests, but may be less stupid with women (I am still not very sure). In fact, all your heroes have no luck with women, their wife always die or have problems (Derfel, Sharpe, Thomas of Hookton) and when you get used to it (may be I will be prepared for Uhtred), it works very well. Finally I hope I did not bother you and I hope also that you will forgive my English. But my greatest hope is that Sharpe, Uhtred and many other will come back again soon. In the meantime, I think I will read again Sharpe from the beginning (because it will be like meeting again a friend luckily, not an enemy). And I think you also could read again Sharpe’s Eagle, it is not as bad as you are saying. Thank you very much for all these stories. Yours sincerely. Carole