Just to say Thank You for the countless hours of pleasure I have has reading your wonderful books.
Ben Laird
Dundee
Scotland
Mr. Cornwell,
I would just like to say that I am an avid reader of various genres. However, ever since I can remember I was fascinated by King Arthur and Robin Hood tales. As I grew older I took a liking to history and gravitated towards the history of Britain, Scotland, and Ireland above all. It always seemed to have such a rich history to me, along with the legends I love most being so embedded. I wanted to tell you that back in high school I picked up 2 books at the library. Parke Godwin's Sherwood, and a copy of The Winter King. That was in 2004, and even today I still go back and reread the Warlord Chronicles, in fact I'm finishing up Excalibur right now. As far as historical fiction goes I really feel that your books truly immerse the reader into history, painting a truly realistic picture of what life was like back then. The characters are so human and easy to relate to. No character is perfect, all of them have their faults. Your adaptation of the King Arthur legend always
leaves me awestruck by then end, taking myths and legends then knitting them into a very plausible story of how it all really happened. With all that said I was curious if you ever thought about the Warlord Chronicles on screen. Normally I hate to see good literature onscreen because so often it gets ruined. However, I just know that I for one would love to see everything the way you envisioned it.Scott Mann
Honestly, I don't give it much thought. I've always felt my job is to put words on the page, not pictures on a screen.
Hi again Bernard
Whilst waiting for 1356 to come into paperback I found myself re-reading the battle bits of Azincourt (basically the last third of the book), and endlessly revisiting Liofa's swordfight with Derfel from Excalibur (I think I know every cut, thrust and feint from that one!).
So it wasn't long before I started to re-read Sharpe, in chronological order this time. Right now I'm coming to the climax of Fortress, and I'm struck once again by the characters of Dodd and Hawkeswill.
I remember you mentioned once how much you regretted killing Obadiah off, and I couldn't agree more...what a character he was! Perhaps it was because you felt his descent into the darkest of evil ways may go on to eclipse Sharpie's brutal but basic heroics...I don't know, but Obadiah was a one-off that's for sure!
And Dodd seems such a worthy opponent for Sharpe, but an embittered nasty piece of work who needs a good kicking (Monsewer!)
Now I've started of course I cannot stop, and no doubt will have cause to write to you again through my second journey with Sharpie.
I hope one day to meet you at one of your signings in the UK, you have given me such pleasure with so many of your books. No one does it like you I'm pleased to say!
Best wishes
Nick
Thank you!
I do not think Game of Thrones will be a patch on the Saxon series if you could get someone to make it. And Sean could still just about play the Uhtred in the last two books and do the narrator as the old Uhtred part. Get some Danes to play the Danes even if they only speak Danish as it would still look good and after all we have seen several Scandinavian programs now with sub titles in Danish and Swedish.
Martin Fletcher
I think you might want to use an earlier version of Lord Hanningfield as your next Sharpe villain. I have now read, twice, Death of Kings. As with S Essex I am still trying to get the hang of these places. If you come straight across from Buckingham towards Bedford depending on route you will hit either Deanshanger in Northants or go across what is now Milton Keynes perhaps by way of Bicester or then Fenny or Stony Stratford. Presumably the old Roman roads cross the A! and up the A421 especially towards Huntingdon. I had the same problem with some of the original gently books around Bedfordshire. Unfortunately that part of Bedford has not changed from Uhtred's description, by much. If Uhtred foresaw what some parts of Essex, Beds and Bucks looked like now he would shudder.
Martin Fletcher the Cockney Yorkshireman in Emley Village West Yorkshire.
With my accent they think I am the anti christ.
I’m sure Uhtred would shudder! The source I’ve found most useful for (at least) the surviving Roman road system is the splendid Ordnance Survey map of Roman Britain, which I highly recommend!
Moin moin Mr. Cornwell
At first : sorry for my bad english, I`m from Germany.
I really like the way you write stories from the medieval times.
1356 is the first of your books i bought in original english language.
Just today I found the mistake again,- it can`t be a translation fault again !
You can be sure, - only a bow made of dry wood is able to store the energy of a warbow.
That's the truth,- I am a bowyer and warbow archer,member of "The English Warbow Society",founder member of the "German Warbow Society"
I know you can find many bowyers in america who have more experience than me.
Not one of them prefers to shoot a wet bow.
Everything will be fine,
Regards Clemens
I can’t remember saying a bow should be wet? Still, thank you very much!
Sir,
I, like others, started reading Sharpe. A few books in so I have gone the long way round ,but have about caught up and have just read 1356,very very enjoyable,great book thank you. I was not a big reader before your books - not very bright I have been told - I read all sorts now .many thanks.
Derek
Hi!
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading the Warlord chronicles. I am a great fan of all Arthurian, but I think you have really twisted the stories into something quite new and still interesting! Which, I believe, is a Herculean task.
I have written a book myself, and one day, when I am good enough (and my kids stay healthy for more than two days in a row) I will try to write my own Arthur-story. Til then: I read yours.
Best regards!
Elisabeth
There is a great untold story. Benedict Arnold, founder of US navy, US marines, West point, smuggler, financed his army in the revolution, hero in battle, saved the revolution from defeat.....disappointed by congress and payment....committed a traitorous act. Most of the world thinks of him as a traitor......only part of an untold story. Love your books, just finished Sharpe's Enemy...
John Thomas
Oh, I agree! He was incredibly badly treated by the rebels, and I suspect that memorial at Saratoga which describes him as the greatest soldier of the revolution is right! And, of course, he cut off his nose to spite George Washington. He was never content afterwards and asked to be buried in his patriot uniform – there’s a fine memorial window to him at Battersea Parish Church in London where he’s buried. He’s a tragic figure, but a hero!
Hi Bernard,
I inherited my farther book collection a couple of years ago and fell in love with the Grail Quest series. I've just finished Saxon tales and can't wait for more on this story line.
Any way, a big thanks for all of your hard work. Not only have you made a reader out of a non-reader but also you've made an new avid historian, you're tales really spark an interest in history and are a fun read on the way.
Thanks,Dave Double