Bulletin Board

Hello Bernard, just writing to comment on the question posed by FM of Norfolk about writing Sharpe in the first person. I think this would be a great idea when the Sharpe series comes to a reluctant end. Especially as you get asked many questions about Dick Sharpe's and Pat Harper's previous and post histories. Perhaps this story or hopefully series ( if you're not too bored of them by now) could take place when the great friends meet after 1830? When they haven't seen each other for a decade. I'll leave the locations up to you lol. Dublin would be good though and London. Maybe touching on early Victoriain grumpy old men etc. Anyway I aplogise if I'd try to influence you in any way, but I'm sure your huge army of fans including myself of course, would like this to be written ( no pressure mate lol) It would be a great chance to tie things up although it could be very difficult with all your avid fans out there. Anyway many thanks for all your work that have kept me entertained and long may they continue. Best of health to you and yours, Fondest regards Lee

The superstition regarding Friday 13 as being unlucky has nothing to do with the Knights Templar. Fridays and the number 13 were considered independently unlucky (my seacaptain father would not sail on a Friday if he could possibly get the ship under way at 11.59 pm Thursday!). The first mention of Friday 13 being unlucky (or doubly unlucky) dates from Notes and Queries for 1913. According to the urban myth web page (www.snopes.com) the association with the Knights Templar is a recent invention. Kate

I just wanted to thank you for some of the best reading I have ever done. I am gradually working through everything, and honestly I can't put the books down until I've read them. All good wishes Leo

What is with all these people wanting Starbuck to change sides? Do that many of your readers think us Southerners are evil? Let him remain a Rebel to the end. JW

Dear Bernard, I have recently finished reading your Aurthur Trilogy & I have to say I couldnt put the books down! This led me to read Stonehenge, and I am now about to start on The Grail Quest. I have yet to meet a match for Derfel & his band of friends (& enemies!) in all the books I have read, but I am sure that The Grail Quest will keep me page turning, & loving your characters, the way your books always seem to do. I am so glad that I picked up The Winter King! Many thanks for your wonderful imagination, Natasha.

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am just writing to thank you for the hours of entertainment you have given me. I first read one of your books when I was 13, Sharpes Battle, and now I am 33 and I think I have read nearly all of the books you have published. I am an ex-soldier and served for 10 years on the Coldstream Guards and I particularly enjoy military history. Thanks again and keep writing. Brett Scobie

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to let you know that I think you are a wonderful author and I am at the Library right now and have just picked up Sharpe's Escape. I am trying to read his books in order as much as I can. I want to try and buy the whole series. I just finished reading Gallow's Thief, so I am not confined to just Sharpe, although he is my favorite. I first found out about him by watching some of the PBS series (which I also want to buy). We live in such a complicated world and I truly find vicarious adventure in your novels. I've had adventure when I was younger, in Vietnam (I'm 53) and also worked on a wagon train in Arizona with Cuban convicts (a rehab program) and am also a recovering alcoholic who should have died a long time ago. I will ultimately read everything you write and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your writing. I have written short stories, one about a young man growing up in the west (it is Christian oriented, I am a Christian) and have had one short story and one poem published. God willing, maybe one day I too will be able to write books that remotely accomplish what you do. Once again, thank you for filling gaps in my life with your adventure stories and wonderful style of writing. Sincerely, Bill Fagerstrom

Sir you have done it again, your new book, the Last Kingdom, was grabbed off the shelve at W.H.Smiths in Beverley, East Yorkshire, shortly theirafter a fight ensued, between my darling wife and myself as to who would read it first, after much discussion, I won (not very gentlemanly, but you'll see why), so when the rest of the shopping was unpacked, fire on and ClassicFM on the TV, A nice cup of tea, and off I went, transported to the age of Alfred & the Norse, 15 cups of tea, 3 loo breaks, (food consumed with head in book) I turned the last page, 8 hours later. A fantastic read, we just love your work, now my wife has to put up with my Grumpy old man image until your next book, sorry if I seem to go on, but dare not ask you to hurry the next book, that would mean a drop in quaility, and that we would hate to happen, but if you need someone to proof the next book, I would do it for free, (beg, beg) My wife say a 42yr old should not beg but who cares , carpa diem (sorry if my latins a bit rusty) regards Neil Graham

Dear Mr. Cornwell. In a November 8th posting, Paul Varbedian complained about how you didn't end Sharpe's career at a higher rank. I feel that if you had done so, it would have seriously limited the adventures he could have had. As a senior officer, he would be sending his juniors out on desperate missions, rather than going out on them himself. Even at Waterloo, as a lieutenant-colonel, he was more of a spectator and less of a participant than in his previous adventures. His just sitting back and letting others take the risks would have been boring both to him and to us, your readers. So for my money, you did it right. Alan Kempner

Mr. Cornwell, I have always enjoyed reading historical fiction. I appreciate the great deal of research you put into your novels. I only recently discovered just how much work it is, as I have ventured to try my hand at it and thus far have written about fifty pages. Your use of imagery allows me to really see your settings and characters. I know that that is what any good writer hopes to achieve, but you have a talent. I teach High School English, Social Studies, Visual Arts and Physical Education at a small rural school in Northern Nova Scotia, Canada. Since moving here two years ago I have discovered its rich historical past, so it is that that I'm using as a backdrop for my attempt at writing. I just wanted to say that you are an inspiration, and I look forward to any of your new works. Sincerely Rob Barrett