Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I stumbled onto your Arthur series after binging on the Mists of Avalon series, and I am writing to thank you for doing such an extraordinary, unflinching job of bringing post-Roman Britain to life. Currently, I am in the final stages of getting an MFA, and so, I read a lot of theory, but, I also spend quite a bit of time working in my studio, and as I do, i listen you Arthur and Derfel’s story. And even as I know the legend, you made it soar again. You made Arthur real, and you gave your characters nuance and believability.

But that’s not the real reason I am writing to thank you. As I type these words, tears stand in my eyes, because you thought Arthur might’ve escaped. And even if he does die on his ship, he did not expire in the sand.

I thank you for that last bit of magic, and I thank you for the grace of it.

Vey sincerely,

Madeleine Peck Wagner