Dear Mr. Cornwell,
Hope you and your family are all in good health.
I have been an avid reader of your books for the last 15-20 years, since I discovered the first one of them, a Sharpe’s one, in a small bookstore in Madrid. Yes, I read the Spanish versions of them, except for one: volume X of the Last Kingdom series, couldn’t wait for the Spanish version to come out and bought/read what I think was the first edition in the US. Afterwards, when it came out, bought the Spanish version and read/enjoyed it again.
So, I already said it: have gone as far as book X in the Last Kingdom series. Perhaps that’s the reason why I’m so hugely disappointed about Season 4 of the TV series, except for the names and not much else, can’t recognize the original story. I have tried skipping first episodes, but can’t get to watch more than five minutes of any of it. I see everywhere the rather old and wasted “Hollywood style” tricks to lure mass consumption. Isn’t a new feeling: Lord of the Rings: the first movie is the one I treasure more, Game of Thrones: first season, etc. A good example of a long, long historical TV series that doesn’t decay in quality/interest and self-respect: Resurrection Ertugrul.
I have looked for other people comments about Season 4 and all I have found are accolades, so I might be wrong in my appreciation – or lack of – of the TV work, or perhaps I had over-expectations about it, as a consequence of the impact that reading the books – which some commentators recognize not having read – “inflicted” upon my mind, or it’s just that I’m getting older (near 66 now) and, consequently, grumpier.
Anyways, just want to thank you once again for all the beautiful work you have done, and keep doing, and for all the pleasant moments I have had reading your books (not all of them, but about 20 at least for sure) through the last two decades.
Take care,
Best regards,
Alberto Vildosola