Bulletin Board

I'm a huge fan. I thought I had read all of your books, but recently had the pleasure of discovering a series I hadn't read and your most interesting character- Nat!

I understand that the American civil war is a much more sensitive subject than when you last wrote about it - but please can you complete the Starbuck Chronicles before the next civil war starts!

Aside from being a cracking story, it is a good time to remind the US that civil war can happen there too, of the particular horror of civil war, and that neither side has a monopoly on good or evil (you can be a decent person and support a bad cause, and vice versa).

George

I have been reading Sharpe since he was a baby soldier and was overjoyed to discover Sharpe’s Assassin! It was like meeting an old friend after a prolonged absence and I was happy to see that you allowed Sharpe a happy retirement with Lucille.  I’m sure that the Duke may well call upon him for future adventures but it is nice to think that the old warrior finally has a home and peace.

My thanks and all the best.

Len Dafoe

I've started binge watching The Last Kingdom on Christmas night. Im on the last few episodes of season 4 with no desire to watch them because then its done, it's over. I want to buy the books believing the adventure is far more valuable than Netflix but they too will have a last page. Mr. Cornwell I reside in Upstate New York minutes from the Pennsylvania boarder USA. I spend a good amount of time in the Pennsylvania forests (primitive life on purpose) because they remind me of a simpler time, a time I have never lived yet remember. Sounds impossible as I was born in 1975. But your mind takes me to a time I remember yet can't. People told me my entire life I talk and act as if born in old English times. We didn't have the internet when I grew up so i was simply different, now those differences make sense. I just want you to know that I like your mind. I like your work and I look forward to getting lost in more of it.

Tina Pusateri

Hi Bernard,

I just "opened" my first Christmas present this year - I finished reading Sharpe's Christmas and Sharpe's Ransom (both for the first time).  Very, very satisfying!

I know that several commenters here have asked you to "finish" 'Hornblower during the Crisis', C.S. Forester's last unfinished novel.  I've been meaning to tell you for some time now however, that a manuscript finishing the novel was written by Ellis K. Meacham, author of the Percival Meriweather "Bombay Marine" Trilogy shortly after Forester's passing.  At least that's what I recall, although I can't find now where I learned that.  My memory is that he asked permission of Dorothy Forester to publish his manuscript but was turned down, and that is what prompted him to start writing about Meriweather.

What I know for sure though, is that in the second chapter of the first novel, "The East Indiaman" as Meriweather is rowed out to his new Command, we read, "Anchored below her, close by, was another ship with a boat alongside, a Royal Navy sloop.  He heard the squeal of a boatswain's pipe and looked around to so see side boys manning the gangway, while a tall figure in a uniform trimmed with gold lace, from which the pale January sun glinted, climbed the ladder".  The coxswain followed his glance.  'Atropos, twenty-two, he volunteered.  'She's sailing to the Mediterranean to fish up treasure from a wreck.'  There were few secrets kept from these watermen."

So, there is probably the last glimpse of Hornblower we ever get, and I thought I would offer that as a Christmas present to you and your readers!

Merry Christmas / Happy Hannukah / Happy Diwali / Happy Kwanza / Happy Festivus everyone!

Paul D Wilcox

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Like so many others ( whose comments I have just reviewed) I wish to extend my sincere thanks for the hours of enjoyment, you have provided to me via Sharpe, Uhtred , and the other stories you have written. I have just finished Sharpe’s Assassin , and had forgotten the bliss I experience when I get to enter the world of Richard and Pat. Many thanks

Ian MacMillan

Fredericton, NB, Canada

I've just finished "Warlord". I feel a genuine sadness that it's the last in the series. Not only are they just what historical novels should be   rollicking good yarns that are also the perfect jumping off point for serious historical study - they've been appropriately enough a great help to me in learning Danish. I"ve read them all in Danish translation having abandoned the UK for DK some years ago.

Robert Ingleby

Dear Bernard,

I have just finished the last book in the series, War Lord. I wanted to say how much I have enjoyed all the books. I reread those I had during the first lockdown from start to finish. You have brought the period and places alive for me and planted the desire to visit the more famous places, not least Bamburgh and Northumbria.  I was born in Essex and was particularly taken with the storylines set in London and Benfleet.  I was moved to note your dedication of the last book to Alexander Dreymon. He was indeed Uhtred made flesh, which is a very rare and precious thing when bringing a literary hero to the screen.  I know Uhtred had to retire at some point but I will miss him!

Many thanks again for hours of enjoyment and interest. With best wishes for your continued success,

Janet Hall,

Divonne-les-Bains, France

Hello Mr Cornwell

You are most certainly a gift to the reading world.  I am enjoying your books immensely.

As a reading buff and history enthusiast and librarian, I thank you for the many hours of reading pleasure you have given an elder infirmed lady who can't do much more than find happiness in reading.  You make my day!

Nancy L. Hamilton

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Happy New Year. Pleased to see you published a new book in the Sharpe saga. I also downloaded Rifleman Harris audio book.

Stay safe.

Regards

Allen

Hey Bernard,

I've never written to an author and I've never had any tendencies whatsoever toward acting like a "fan."  But here I am.  I've recently retired and, after a way-too-consuming business career, one of my resolutions was to read.  Reading the classic historians led me to historical fiction, and then to you... first to Uhtred and now to Thomas of Hookton where a reference to Vegetius has led me to him.  Sharpe is next.  I can't tell you much I am enjoying the ride.  I hope you've enjoyed the process of creating such excellent work.  Thank you.  I wish you and yours the best.

Tony Bartolotta