Mr. Cornwell,

I’m writing to thank you for pulling me out of a reading slump. Last year I finished the coursework for an MFA in creative writing (at 35). At the end of the program I found that the magic of literature had been somewhat stripped away by the studying of it and I couldn’t get into a novel. Most of my reading at the time was research for my thesis, which is a historical fiction novel (It’s about pirates, sort of), and I thought I might have traded the enjoyment of literature for some ability in the creation of it.

A few months ago a friend of mine, knowing I’m a history buff and that I’m writing historical fiction, recommended your Saxon Series. I’ve since read the entire series, one Sharpe novel, the Grail Quest Series, and Agincourt. My dad and my girlfriend are currently both enjoying the Saxon Series and, like me, find your writing to have wonderful pace and draw. (All of my friends will be getting “The Last Kingdom” from me for Christmas (Yule).)

Thank you for writing about something other than outrage-seeking, self-absorbed, depressed, upper-middle class whiners who aren’t really that different than most of my friends and co-workers. My life is boring enough without reading about the same things that make me not want to get out of bed in the morning. I aspire to write exciting fiction that my grandma and my buddies can equally enjoy, that you’re already doing it and with so much success is inspiring.

Thanks again,

Brian Dutro

I recently discovered (via somewhat dubious sources) that I might also be a descendent of Uhtred the Bold. I was pretty excited about that and thought you might get a kick out of it.