Bulletin Board

Mr Cornwell,

Thank you for the new edition to a fantastic story, just finished it. also up to the 4th episode of The Last Kingdom on the television. hopefully that will be successful enough to carry on through the book series, the problem with your books is they are so "cant put down" that I may have to read through from the start again! I am in my early 50's and until 5 years ago I had never read a novel, only reference books for work or hobby. I started with your books and now read one after the other. looking forward to the next. Thanks again

Russ Smith

Have read book 9 avidly awaiting book 10 !  We are watching weekly installments of Last Kingdom, haven't these film makers learnt anything from Sharpe and Paddy ? they could at least have got someone who looked like Uhtred of the books this time,we will continue to watch after all there's not much else on but take it as a blood and guts tele programme, not a rendering of your books which are so vivid and really don't need "messing with" by silly film people who think they know better than anyone else, why can't they keep to the blooming books , after all you sell enough that must be some indication that you get it right!!!  looking forward to reading book 10 which we are sure will see Uhtred in his rightful home at last. many thanks for many hours of reading time well spent

Pat and Robert Moon.

When I start to read a good book, written well, I continue until I am finished with the book.  If it is not well written, I simply donate it to the library, sometimes within the first few pages, You write very well indeed.  I have never put your writing down.

Jeff Polaski

Bernard.

I have got to say, that I am very disappointed with how the BBC has adapted your  UHTRED Saxon books for TV. The scripts are dire, and  the sets\costumes  are cheap looking in the extreme. Your REPUTATION AS A GOOD STORYTELLER, is in danger by how the BBC is treating your fine novels.  ITV, did a reasonable job all those years ago with your  Sharpe  novels . As they did with Hornblower. But, BBC Last kingdom is not good.

Raymond Joseph Douglas

Hi Bernard,

With the arrival of Warriors of the Storm, I had the enjoyment of re-reading the whole of The Last Kingdom Series. Presented with the continuous flow of events from 866 to the early 900’s I was reminded that the accepted Anglo-centric theme of the period is one of the rise and success of the Alfred's family/Wessex Dynasty.

However, flipping the perspective over I became very aware that it is equally the story of the Lodbrok/Ragnarson dynasty and Uhtred’s story is equally entwined with that as well. Starting with the 3 sons of the legendary  Ragnar Lodbrok ;  Halfdan, Ubba and Ivor  and assuming the validity of the conventional view that Ivor the Boneless is the Imar, King of the Dublin Norse, then the start of the 10th Century sees the arrival in England of  the “Grandsons’ of Ivor” ; Ragnall, Sigtryggr (One-Eyed) and Guthrith (who we have yet to meet).

Even before the appearance of the next generation, consisting of Anlaf (Olaf) Guthrithson, Ragnall Guthrithson, Olaf Sigtryggrson and Sigtryggr Sigtryggrson, I had the intriguing realisation that Uhtred has had a hand in the demise of Ubba, Ivor’s son (your fictitious Ivor Ivorson?) and now Ragnald.

However, Stiorra’s marriage to Syrtryggr (One Eyed) has tied Uhtred in to this very same Dynasty. His Grand-daughter Gisela and any future siblings will share his genes along with those of the family he has done so much to thwart!

I am sure the irony will not be lost on Uhtred if he ever recognises the links (and I have got it right!). For whilst his head and sword arm have belonged to Alfred’s family, his heart - always so firmly with the Dane’s - has now become intimately linked with their leading family.

“Wyrd bid ful_ræd” I am sure he would observe!

Paul Stein

Thank you so much for your books. Wonderful! A long story, but Sharpe helped me get back into books. I keep Agincourt next to reference books! I was intrigued by your frequent Biblical references in that they revealed more than a superficial knowledge. Then I learned something of your early days. Mine was a bit similar too. A few days ago there was a discussion with, I think, the scriptwriter of The Lsst Kingdom. He mentioned that in any writing there are two strands - the large picture and the smaller details. I found that most helpful. It sounds like in our early days the two were sometimes confused and sometimes the details of faith overshadowed the large picture.  Thanks again – brilliant writings!

Phil MacInnes

I love your books and cannot wait for the next instalment in The Last Kingdom I have found all your books captivating and entertaining over the years some I have read more then once and they were just as good the second time round

Joe Vella

Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished "The Empty Throne"......AWESOME!

Can't wait for the U.S. release for the next book!!!!

I truly enjoy all your work!!!!

James Johnson

I have just read The Burning Land and your knowledge of the geography of the North East of England is awful. It makes parts of the story ridiculous, sorry but it's true. Durham is not on the Tyne. Bamburgh is almost 60 miles north of the Tyne and you can' t just ride there in a morning, it did spoil the story, unfortunately I;m from the north east and lived in Essex for 10 years around the are of Hadleigh and Canvey Island so know those areas well. The poor geography really spoils the story

John Laird

We met once a long time ago in Scotland. I don't expect you to remember. You told me something that stuck to me like glue. You said when writing fiction the truth is not your friend. Great wisdom.

It's so good that the BBC appreciates your writing.

F--- the Vikings.

Yours,

DK