Dear Sir,

 

I have read many of your books over the years and have always found them to be enjoyable – and informative, stimulating much further reading. Recently, I started the Last Kingdom series and, once again, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. It reminds me very much of a film I once saw as a child, depicting the battles between Alfred and Guthrum; all very dramatic – and didactic, with a climactic baptism scene. Probably long forgotten now, but surely well-known 40 years ago. As a child of Dorchester, it’s always lovely to read writers exploring the further reaches of Britain.

 

However, as I read the first of these novels on my kindle, I was stuck by something. The first person narrative reminded me of something. It took a while but I began to to think of the Flashman novels. There was an archness to the observations and an eye for detail that took me to GMF’s finest creation. There was humour and irony among the usual action. The key difference is that Uhtred is heroic and decent, unlike the cowardly Flashman (although that changes through GMF’s novels, in my opinion, generally speaking, until the last, in which he completes an awful deed).

 

I was surprised, therefore, when checking back to the list of place names (to keep track of where everyone is) when I noticed the dedication – to George MacDonald Fraser. What a delightful homage (you may know that, with the kindle, the reader is taken directly to the first page of the narrative, jumping past the earlier pages – so, one has to look for any additional content).

 

I don’t know if you deliberately chose to write in this way, but I must say, it is marvellous. The style is a revelation. While your previous books have maintained a wonderful rhythm and are rich in themselves, this new, playful conceit was  wonderful.

 

I look forward to more but I am also sure you could continue Flashman’s adventures, if you don’t mind me saying so (your work stands alone) – we all know there are more that have yet to be revealed (should it be permitted).

 

Thank you for your work – it’s been great fun since I picked up my first Sharpe novel and continues to give great enjoyment – but this is another development which I applaud heartily.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Guy Redmill