I hope this does get to you friend, my name is Sy, and I am from Huntingdon, near Cambridge and have been an avid reader of fiction since my mum gave me a copy of King’s ‘Carrie’ for my 8th birthday. I think the first Sharpe book I read was in about ’93 or ’94, when I was around 11 years old. Now, some 20 years later, I have read every novel you have written, and more importantly, I hope, I have introduced at least two score of people to your books, probably many more. I am a very proud Englishman, and never more so when discussing the foundations of this country and the adversity faced by the great men (and women) who fought against many of the biggest, richest and most powerful armies through history. When one reads your work, especially the books pertaining to blighty, your own passion shines through and it is infectious. I have just finished 1356, and whilst it felt as though you could have wrung at least 3 books from the subject matter, it was satisfying to read of Thomas once
more, as he was alluded to in ‘Azincourt’ and, I suspect as was intended, the reference piqued my interest. I delight in your little knowing references to other work and have read many authors’ attempts at the same, but yours, Sir, give the reader a feeling of not only empathy, but companionship. It is as though I know your characters, and in that knowing, I can feel for the story, rather than just reiterate it. I guess I just wanted to say thankyou, for the gift you have given to people. I speak to a group of friends regularly on Saturday morning in my local pub, and two of them have just begun reading your work – one with the Sharpe novels chronologically, the other with the Arthur novels – and the pleasure the rest of us have discussing what for them is a new experience is fantastic. I hope the image of a table of young blokes full of empty pint pots, with space amongst them reverentially made for a couple of Bernard Cornwell books is pleasantly English (eccentrie) enough to make
you smile. Thanks mate.
Sy.