Bulletin Board

I LOVE historical fiction and I LOVE your books. I've read the Grail Quest Series, the Saxon Tales, a few of the Sharpe Novels, Stonehenge, and I've seen several of the BBC Sharpe films. I still have so many to go, but I'll finish them by the end of the year. I hope you live a long, healthy, creative life so that I will NEVER be without your wonderful books. En hilsen hentil jeres artig helbred, Mr. Cornwell. Susan Watson

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Just absolutely marvelous, story after story. I first stumbled on Sharpe's Fortress, when I was looking for a follow-up replacement for Patrick O'Brian. I was instantly absorbed. Now, if you've written it, I've read it--and my 16 year old son would rather re-read Lords of the North than learn to drive. He even made me buy it through Amazon UK, to beat the US date. Thank you, and thank you for giving my son and me something truly in common, which is rare enough with 16 and 60. Rick Smead

Mr Cornwell, I would just like to say thankyou for writing such addictive and brilliant books. I never read much before I started reading The Winter King and now have read all your books. Your a hero and I look forward to reading your future novels. Thanks, Mike

Hi, I was never a reader and one day I walked through an airport and the cover of the winter kind caught my eye. I picked it up and when I discovered it was about Arthur I started to real. It was the first time I had ever read a trilogy. Since then I have also read your saxon stories and i am looking forward to next 3 or 4. After reading your book I was excited about the Arthur film coming out. What a let down. Your Arthur Story would make a great trilogy film. If it was done well it could be better than Lord of the rings. With your screen history with Sharpe, surely as an author your books are more likely to be turned into films than others. Is there any hope for Arthur hitting the screen? Maybe we can start a petition to some big film studios :-). Looking forward to reading more. Scott Baxter

Hello Bernard I have been a fan of "Sharpe" for many years, but must confess to not having read any of your other series of historical novels until I got into the Saxon "Uhtred" stories. SUPERB STUFF! I've relished reading all three, and in particular "Lords of the North" since I live in Yorkshire, and spent 3 years at University in Durham, living for 2 of them in the Castle that now occupies the top of that forbidding crag in the bend of the river! I spent a lot of time reading about the history (and mythology) around the relics of St Cuthbert purely out of interest and curiosity when I was a student, so it was great to see how you'd woven some of that into the story. With the Northumbrian roots of your own family (as you mention in the sleeve notes), it's clearly an area that's close to your heart too. Very much looking forward to following more of Uhtred's adventures, and particularly when those adventures take him into such familiar territory. I'd very much like to see what you'd make of a "Wars of the Roses" scenario if you are ever stuck for a setting for a future series of books! Lots of superb characters and dramatic goings-on around that period too. Keep writing these superb books! Cheers Andrew

Dear Mr. Cornwell I realise that it's probably beyond your control, but (memo to publishers!) please, please, please bring back Tim Piggot-Smith as narrator to the audio versions of your truly excellent novels. I so enjoyed listening to the Arthurian Triology & The Grail Quest, but feel that the audio versions of the The Saxon Stories have just lost their edge slightly in narration without Tim Piggot-Smith. I'd also like to compliment you on Gallows Thief - please DO write another Captain Ryder Sandman story ! Wonderful. Simon Ellwood

No need for reply. I just wanted to send a long overdue thank you for the many hours of reading pleasure I have enjoyed thanks to your work. I was delighted to see the Kells books back in print; I hope more people will enjoy them now. Several years ago I found fine out of print copies of both The Fallen Angels and A Crowning Mercy. I have wonderful memories of reading The Fallen Angels aloud to my husband during a long car trip; he liked it so much I read him A Crowning Mercy on our next trip! I always particularly enjoy your discussions of social class and religions. I've been a terrific fan of the Sharpe novels for years and also loved the Grail Quest but am afraid that Uhtred might be supplanting Sharpe in my affections. Since you say they are your favorites, I guess I'll have to read The Arthur books, while I eagerly await the sequel to Lords of the North. Again, my sincere thanks. Felicia Uhden

Reference to comment from bulletin board Post Date: 12 Apr, 2007 ..... I stumbled over one little passage. You wrote there that Uthred wears his sword on his back "for drawing it faster". By my experience ...... it is really impossible to draw a relatively long typical viking sword if you wear it on your back......

I think this guy has taken your quote out of context. In the shield wall you built a picture where the people fight so close that it would hard to draw a sword from your side. He may have a valid point that it is more difficult in general to draw, but in the context of a shield wall when your sides are pressed??? If you are trying to raise your sword, to strike above your head, I think the back makes most sense. I am pretty sure Uthred (who is very clever character) would have worn the sword in a way which he could draw quickly. After all if they can do it in the movies :-)
Scott Baxter

Dear Bernard, in response to the question from Lutz about Uhtred wearing his sword on his back. I seem to remember that Uhtred did this as it was easier to draw and downstroke when in the shield wall. I haven't read the Saxon stories since Lords of the North came out; guess that's my weekend task. Jon

Mr. Corwell: someone suggested that I read your Sharpe India books, and having done so am most impressed (started with the second). Somehow I never came across them, although I wrote a history of the Indian army back in the 1960s (The Indian Army: Its Contribution to the development of a Nation). I'm revising it, and found your description of the operatons of the army to be most helpful in putting an image to the social and political environment that I once researched (in the India libarary, among other places). I look forward to "Tiger," I visited Tipu's fort for the first time a year ago, hope to get to Assaye one of these days. best wishes, Stephen Cohen The Brookings Institution, Washingotn DC (and former professor of Indian History/Politics at the U of Illinois, USA)

Not much a question but a respond to an answer you provided me on an earlier question! I would like to say - dankjewel ;) - for as the answer was short, it gave me ( yet another!) light on the complex history about Arthur. However I managed to finish my research and passed :) Thanks a lot again for inspiring me to a fun, but endless ( There is so much speculation about Arthur!) research. Perhaps a nice fact is that next to Arthur being a pagan, it is also believed he was faithful to Roman religion, which leads to Mithras :P A fun puzzle! Thanks again :) Elbereth