Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell.

Not for the first time, and not for the last, I am reading through your much praised -- much deserved -- series on Mr. Sharpe. I write for a living as a newspaper reporter and perhaps that has hardened my heart, but last night I cried upon the death of Teresa. And I read and reread -- and reread -- and imagined the scene in which Sharpe responds to Pierre Ducos and his hand gesture.

 

I will never watch the series produced for TV. The images in my mind are too valuable. And fortunately, as my age advances, I will forget what happens, making the rereading that much more enjoyable.

 

Richard Sharpe has his place alongside James Bond and Horatio Hornblower and other books I read again and again, including "The Road" by Cormack McCarthy, "Catch 22" and "The Lord of the Rings" and anything by John Fowles, not to mention Robert Fagels' translations of Homer.

Dave Boyce

Mr Cornwell,

I just wanted to express my great thanks to you for writing the Richard Sharpe books. Undoubtedly, these are my favorite books of all time. Between the annoyance of Obadiah Hakeswill and the splendor of characters such as Colonel McCandles I often read, and reread, with a rabid enthusiasm. Candidly, I suggest for your enjoyment, "Stonewall's Gold" by, Robert Mrazek; this is a book following a young boy in the Civil War who reminds me of a more tame, adolescent Sharpe. It is a page turner, which I hope you will have the pleasure of reading. Once again thank you for your wonderful work.

Best Regards,

Kevin Fray

Dear Bernard,

 

I'm reading the Warlord books - and again, like the Arthur books - I'm loving them. I love how the shield wall's a described, you truly feel and smell the battle. My favorite will forever be Derfel and Ceinwyn, but Uhtred is a fantastic character - truly and Ætheflæd as well.

 

Being Danish - from Jutland even it makes it even more interesting. The Jutes were - as I'm sure you know - migrating with the Angles and Saxons. HEngist & Horsa were Jutes - well so it goes anyways. My wife's surname is Friis. I haven't delved deeper into that, but she might be from a Danish aristocratic family or might be from Friisia. Not that it matters much anyways

 

I was looking through the map and the pins with the locations - one thing that I don't agree with you on, is the pin over Hedeby/Haithabu. I do believe it should be located near modern day Schleswig in what is now Germany. It doesn't bother nor offend me though. atleast you didn't invent towns like Kattegat (HBO's series "Vikings") ;-)

 

do keep up the good work - I've become addicted to those books, and think I will have to re-read them, when I'm done.

 

Thank you

b'rgds

Lars

I've read a number of your books. I especially liked the Saxon warlord Uhtred series and the Sharpe's ones.  My wife says they keep me awake at night as that's when I dive into whichever one I currently have on hand. Currently I'm reading Redcoat. I'm happy knowing I have a lot more reading and variety ahead of me.

Dennis Nobrega

Dear Mr Cornwell

The question of a third series of 'The Last Kingdom' is probably on all the minds of those who thoroughly enjoyed the second series of the show.

 

I was one of those viewers who sadly compared your books to the series (against your advice) untill the last four episodes of the second series. And then something wonderful happened, when I realised their own merit!  Luckily I can revisit all the previous episodes again with the same attitude!

 

I'm sure the television series is either a niche market or was insubstantially promoted, as it was totally underatted, but there are some vociferous fans out there (see the comments section from Sarah Hughes articles from the Guardian).

 

So if you have any influence on the powers that be....... we would be very appreciative!

 

Kind regards

 

Kate Smith

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

let me send you my warmhearted appreciation in a regretfully bumpy English  for all your effort and  your heart-blood, which you put and dropped in the Uhtred-tales in order to make him and his world lively.

I have read all nine books, ordered the “Flame Bearer” just now and am in the middle if “The Archer’s Tale”.

You write these books in such a thrilling, exciting and lively way, as if you had stood in the shield walls yourself for many times, with Finan at your side.

You enable us readers to dive into the early English history with its many different powerful, controverse,  colourful and painful facettes. How you show the beginning influence of the Christian church and the conflict with the  old religious orientation, got under my skin.

Being a sailor and archer myself, I admire the accuracy of your descriptions, whether they concern the Viking ships, the weapons, the shield walls, sailing, smithing and more.

My friends and I have been following Uhtred in a true inner, enthusiastic companionship, but also with a tiny taste of regret: throughout his march through nine books his weather was mostly absolutely lousy!!! He’d earned more sunshine to warm his skin and bones!!!

All the best to you and thank you for these great,  enriching books,

sincerely yours,

Werner Sperling

I would just like to say how absolutely wonderful I found the adaption of the Last Kingdom series on BBC2.   I have been really impressed with everything about it, the Set design, the Costume, make up, Camera work, Directing and of course, the acting.  I do  hope you are also pleased with it.  If I had to pick out a "moment" it was the way Uhtred (Alexander) was filmed on the ground with the Battle raging around him, giving the impression of semi consciousness.  Stunning. Many congratulations on the books and the series.

Dorothy Cohen

love your books so much

Michelle Murphy

I've asked this before but are you EVER going to finish the Civil War series? I can't wait till you live to be 90 or 100 to find out what happens to Starbuck and Truslow, et al., because I can't be sure that I'll still be alive to read them! Please get back to them when you finish the Last Kingdom series! I have enjoyed that series but I am eager to read more of Starbuck!

Anne Grant

I often wonder where you sit and write your books. I am reading the Arthur series, again, and wander through the West Country with Derfel, I see and smell the grass and the dew covered plants. I glimpse the wild birds and animals and smell the wood fires from distant villages. Wonderful. Please keep a reign on the scriptwriters of the Last Kingdom. To me this series should rank far above Game of Thrones because it is real history. The actors are splendid but the story must be told as it is written. It's the best drama series that I have seen for years and surely the Grail Quest series must follow. Thank you for giving me years of pleasure with your exotic mind and superb writing.

Peter Worth