Dear Bernard Cornwell,

First I have to say that I really enjoy both the Sharpe series and the Last Kingdom Series and I am sure I will read other books written by you as well. As a boy I very much enjoyed the Hornblower books and the Sharpe series is a sort of Hornblower land based equivalent, although different.

Now to my question: I am now reading “Vanity Fair”, much enjoyable! The main (female) character in this classic share some personal features with the hero in the Sharpe series, such as a very humble background and a strong wish to come up in society. Additionally, the books are set in the same period. Now, is it a pure coincidence with the similarities in names? Rebecca Sharp – Richard Sharpe, or have you flirted a bit with this tremendous piece of British literature? Just curious.

Looking very much forward to your comment. Thanks!

Jonas Millqvist, Malmö, Sweden