Bulletin Board

Bernard I have been a fan of the Sharpe novels for some time having been exposed to them in the UK through the TV adaptations. I have recently read Harlequin and felt compelled to write. This is the best historical novel I have read. I am an archer myself and the way you have characterised the archers in the book I fely complete empathy and understanding with them. Are you an archer yourself? I have just started Vagabond and look forward to reading Heretic in due course. Have you any more plans regarding the 100 years war. A facanating period that you have brought to life superbly. Best Wishes. Michael Baxter

Bernard, I first became aware of you work after watching Sharpe's Rifles on UTV when it was first screened a good many years ago and subsequently watched all episodes screened which put me on to your books. I have read everything you have written to date. One aspect I particularly liked, being an Irishman myself, is the historical references and the mythological anecdotes (I'm thinking Cuchulainn here) that you have dotted around the many diverse Irish characters in your stories. I have often felt very sad when a character I've liked has died during a book, I can think of no greater compliment I can give to an author, other than buying books, than saying how your wonderful characterisation has endeared a great many characters to me. I'm thinking offhand here but the ones who stand out are Daniel Hagman, Major Hogan, Sagramor, Merlin and obviously Arthur. Without the books in front of me at the minute I can't name some others I wanted to from the Starbuck Chronicles and other friends of Sharpe. I look forward to (hopefully) seeing Starbuck at Fredricksburg where you may shed some light on the myth that we Irish only fought fot the Union. The Winter King Chronicles stand out as the best you have written in my mind, a legend that has always fascinated me. I also want to compliment you on your thrillers. I was shocked to see on the site that Scoundrel was not published in the US. I would describe myself as an Irish republican, though a staunchly constitutional one, and that book in my view gave a great dissemination of the conflict in the north as any I have read. There is just one reservation I have for the new Sharpe books that you are currently writing. I only read Sharpe's Prey recently and was unfortunately less happy with it than others. I felt Sharpe was being turned into some sort of a secret agent/superhero character used by the then secret service of Lord Pumphrey. To go this route in my view would devalue Sharpe as a character. I admire Sharpe for his leadership (Waterloo, Enemy), his courage (Siege, Eagle), his humanity (Revenge, Honour, Sword) and for the way you have documented his progression up the ranks against the odds and the close knit nature of the army unit. I think I like Sharpe to be in the army, not contracted out to the secret service. I hope you do not feel that comment over critical but I think it just echoes the fact I am a traditionalist by nature. I was glad to have the opportunity to access this site and thank you again for providing me with so many characters that I have enjoyed and still do. Conor Keelan

Dear Mr Cornwell, Please don't stop writing about Thomas of Hookton, you are the only writer I know that writes decent Historical books and I am Desperate to read Poitiers. I Beg you to reconsider stopping this book. I was really excited about your new book so Please continue writing it. I know this message is pathetic but you are the only Historical writer I like. Please finish the book. Alexander Fredrick Verrall

Hi Mr Cornwell. Just finished reading the 3rd book in The Grail Quest series. A brilliant book. Thank you for writing it. But what bothers me is that Thomas' tales are over. Please tell me you have not finished with Thomas as he is a great character in a fantastic time of our history. Cheers Trev.

Dear Mr. Cornwell. Please, please, PLEASE reconsider your regretable decision to scrap the fourth Thomas of Hookton novel. I don't think his character is depleted at all, and I would wager that the vast majority of your fans would side with me on this. We haven't complained about twenty Sharpe novels, have we? Having two of the three major battles of the Hundred Years War (Crecy and Poitiers) only ten years apart just begs for Thomas to be at both. Even if the end of the Grail quest was an ending for Thomas, it could be a new beginning as well, just as the end of the Indian trilogy was not the end of Sharpe's career. Anyway, I am extremely upset by your decision, and I really hope you will give it some more consideration. Alan Kempner

Don't forget Canada should the opportunity arise to visit. Don't forget to include (a la Skirmish) costs to Canadians for cheques to you. I am still hungry;it is good to know you are still writing historically ! Brian Case

Having re-read the Starbuck chronicles recently (for the third time in my short life), I deduced that Colonel Lassan is probably Sharpe's son - he is, isn't he? Not too difficult to work out, I know, given the clues. I eagerly await the next installment(s). Anyway, the rest of your books are equally as fantastic ("Sharpe's Waterloo" being, in my opinion, the best and certainly most epic of that series), including the thrillers - I must admit I was tentative about reading them because I thought they simply couldn't be as good as your other novels, but suffice to say I was not disappointed. Finally, a word about the Warlord Chronicles: breathtaking. They are simply stunning, and I have to will myself away from re-reading them, as it wasn't that long ago that I picked them up for the first time. I'm sure that I will enjoy them as much as I did the first time when I next read them - which was an enormous amount. Thanks for your time (and, it goes without saying, your books!). Hugh

Dear Mr Cornwell , I had to write and offer My Congratulations on a Patriots trip to the Superbowl! Well done PATS. Great game and excellent prospects for winning the Superbowl. As always, enjoying your books . Eagerly awaiting the next Sharpe Book. Sincerely ,Patrick Early

Mr Cornwell Please, please, please finish the Starbuck Chronicles. I've been left hanging for years now, and whilst I have enjoyed some of Sharpe (mayber there's too much of him now), followed Thomas of Hookton til he found the Grail, I am just so very dismayed that the Starbuck Chronicles have been put to one side. Not all heroes have to live (and I've deliberately stayed away from your other intervening themes) so as with the sunset of the South, so may Starbuck come to a close. Sorry to be so negative, but I so much need to see an end for Starbuck and his companions. Sincerest regards Les

I have just finished reading The Grail Quest series - a Christmas present I asked for and was lucky enough to receive. I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of the Sharpe books, but the Hundred Years War is a favourite period of mine. So please, more of Thomas of Hookton. Many many thanks for the many hours of reading pleasure you've given me. Alex Smith

I am sure you get plenty of comments regarding your books, here is another. Having almost all of your books, I just finished HERETIC and want to tell you how much I enjoyed it, as well as all the others I have read. This book I could not put down and read very quickly compared to my usual reading speed and enjoyed every page. Thank you for the excellent writings, I look forward to reading your additional books as they become available. Alan Degenhart

What about A Crowning Mercy? It was a really good book! My man got me into the Sharpe novels a few years ago and we've read everything you've written since. I am on this web site constantly to check for new books and stumbled across Campion in the book shop. Never heard of it, but it was you. Another success! With love - Kylie