Bulletin Board

Mr Cornwell, I have been a big fan of your writing for a long time now, and I must admit that my favourite books were the Starbuck Chronicles. I have read that you have sent him on an extented vacation to concentrate on Sharpe and his adventures. You also mentioned that this was in a way the fault (forgive me for that is not the right word to use) of TV. Perhaps you could try and influence those that made the Sharpe tv series to try it out with Starbuck. I realise that poor Nate is not as dashing and daring as Sharpe, (at least in the beginning) but they are fine stories and I for one feel that they would grace that television screen (or the big screen for that matter). Please let me know if you have any inclination as to when Starbuck will fight again. Gareth Jameson

Hello Mr. Cornwell, My name is Mario and I'm one of your many Brazilian readers. Thanks for having given us the Arthur Books - I just loved them and I can tell you that finishing the third book made me very sad. After leaving Derfel, I'm now - almost one year later - in the company of Thomas of Hookton, and enjoying it a lot too. Hope I can see them both in the big screen soon. While it doesn't happen, please don't stop doing that great job. Best regards, Mario

I love your Grail quest series, I hope this is/will be a long running series. I can't get enough of the adventures of Thomas of Hookton. Love you man, happy new year. Barry W. Harshfield Jr.

Just read Gallows Thief which I thought excellent. But then I have read all of your books. Well done. I was interested in your comments about the number of folks who were hung in the late 18th and early 19th century. A direct ancestor of mine and his father were both hung drawn and quartered for opposition to the Hanovians ie during the Old Pretender ( James 3rd ) and Bonnie Prince Charlie ( Charles 3rd) rebellions. Both were called Thomas Syddall and executed, of course, 30 odd years apart. The latter Thomas Syddall along with James Dawson, Francis Townley and George Fletcher were hung drawn and quatered on July 30th 1746 at Kennington and their bodies, except for the heads, interned in Nelson's Burying Grounds which is now St George's Gardens. Such was the public outcry over this form of execution that this was one of the last carried out. I suppose the whole event proved that the Duke of Cumberland had more men even if his father had a lesser right to the throne. Keep up your standards. All the best for 2004, Derreck Siddell

I'm 61 and have never written a fan letter in my life, but I want to tell you how much joy your work has given me. I own and have read all of Sharpe, Starbuck, and the Archer as well as Stonehenge, Gallow's Thief, and Redcoat. I'm now rereading the Sharpe books alternating them with O'Brian's Captain Aubry series. So, I thank you for the many hours of pleasure your hard work has given me. Dan Thomas

Mr. Cornwell, first, I would like to thank you for explaining the naming difference between " The Archer's Tale" and "Harlequin". it certainly helped explain why I was confused looking for the sequels and what their names were! I first found "Archer's Tale" at my local library and decided to give it a try. I was looking for new authors to read and I'm glad I did! I am presently reading the Sharpe series as well as The Grail Quest series. You are to be congratulated, these are some of the finest adventures I have read. For someone unfamiliar with these time periods, I find you explain settings, weaponry, tactics, and polictical situations admirably to your readers. I also wanted to say thanks for the website. It's easy to navigate and the book listings are extensive and informative for new readers like myself. I look forward to many years of reading and collecting your books. Steven Barnes

Dear Mr Cornwell, I first stumbled on the Sharpe novels a few years ago (any book with Sean Bean on the cover was bound to catch my attention) and have been a great fan ever since. Having run out of Sharpe novels, I've recently read your Warlord series which I loved. I don't agree with your comments about rewriting the first third of the Winter King- for me, you made Arthur's world come to life. Likewise your wonderful Grail trilogy - I'm thrilled to read you're doing a new Thomas of Hookton novel as he's a great character too. I also think you create great villains - my favourites would have to be Guy Vexille (a compelling portrait of a fanatic) and the inimitable Hakeswill. I know you killed him off but is there any chance he might make another appearance - he's much too good to waste. Thanks for all your wonderful work and may you write many more novels, regards Isabel Robinson

Dear Mr. Cornwell - I have just read your FAQ and would like you to know that I have read all of your series, and agree strongly with you that the beat was the Arthur series. While I enjoy the others, the Arthur trilogy was just magical - no pun intended. Thank you. Donald McCall

Just finished reading Sharpe's Havoc. I throughly enjoyed the book. What a page turner. Looking forward to finding more of the collection to read. Sir, you keep me up reading and I went to bed late. Thank you. John Armstrong

Bernard - glad to have found your website. I have just finished reading Winter King for the second time and am enjoying it even more the second time around. I believe that you are the best and most convincing teller of battle narrative currently writing. I studied Early medieval History at university and have been fascinated by Arthur and post- Roman Britain since childhood. I think your Arthur series is the closest to what may have actually happened that I have read, and they are also extremely interesting, exciting and thought-provoking books. Thank you for your hard work and creativity. You comment in your FAQ section that you would like to write more Arthur-like material - as I'm sure you are aware the 'Dark Ages' (I personally dislike the term) are full of superb sources for your stories. Please contact me if you would like to discuss working together on some ideas - I would be honoured. In any case, the best of luck with all your projects and many thanks for the excellent novels (I have also recently enjoyed the conclusion of the Grail Quest series) so far. Andrew