Hi Mr Cornwell
I can’t believe that I’m clear up into my 70’s and had never heard of you or your books. ESPECIALLY the Sharpe series. I stumbled onto Sharpe among a bunch of used books and noticed it was about the Napoleonic wars. I’ve read probably 150 books about that, so I bought one only out of curiosity. When I realized what the series was, I bought them all. I have read thirteen so far and I just can’t tell you how much pleasure I have gotten from them, and of course I still have the other eight to look forward to.
I have never read historical fiction. After stumbling onto your work, I realize it was only out of abject ignorance that I had not. I love your stories. All the intrigue. The history. The way you develop your characters. I have thought many times of writing you to compliment you on your writing and I’m just very lazy about that sort of thing. But I just read Sharpe’s Sword and I must, lazy sod that I am, finally say my thanks for this absolute treasure. What really caught me was the part where Harper builds the sword for Sharpe. It is just brilliant. All the mechanics and the doing and the shaping. I could smell the steel. And the most striking thing was how you conveyed the esteem and affection that Harper bore for Sharpe and hardly addressed it directly. Just so casually with the words “care and affection”. The action of making the sword just spoke so loudly and clearly about what was so obviously a profoundly heartfelt endeavor. That’s just spectacular writing!
I must also says that I enjoy your humor. Maj Gen Nairn telling Sharpe, about Sharpe not being Scottish, “Not your fault, Sharpe, not your fault. Can’t help our damned parents which is why we have to thrash our damned children.” Too much funny is not funny. But you manage the timing so that your occasional humorous exchanges can just make me howl.
Anyway, good for you for your fine writing. And good for me to be lucky enough to have found it.
Thanks again.
Rob Parsons