Bulletin Board

Mr. Cornwell, may I say how refreshing it is to discover that you actually enjoy communicating with your readers! Some authors (I'll name no names) seem to regard us as nothing but inconveniences and pirates! I am a tremendous fan of the Sharpe series (having a lifelong addiction to the Napoleonic period) and just wish I could afford to buy the books when they come out rather than having to wait on the second hand market. Thank you for your creation of something so solidly readable and believable. Steve Smy

I just finished reading " A Crowning Mercy" and I think it is such a beautiful story. The ending was such a surprise . I loved this book so much. Just wanted to let you know. Jakki Hamzah

Hi Bernard, you don't need to answer my e-mail. I just wanted to tell you that your book is a huge sucess in Brazil. I am a journalist and enjoyed it so much that I became a gread admirer of Arthur´s legend. I hope you have many other stories to tell and I will always be waiting to read it. Thank you for being such a talented writer. See you. Cristina Cople

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I have just finished "The Enemy of God" and am beginning "Excalibur" today. While I've enjoyed Sharpe's adventures immensely, I was astounded by the sequence in "Enemy of God" that leads from Dian's murder to the end of the novel. When I first began these books, I thought, "Ah, an anthropologically accurate Arthur story. This'll be interesting." Well, it's been much more than interesting. Thank you for putting so much time, craft, and good storytelling into these excellent novels, which have now become some of my favorites. All the best, Matt Genne'

As a matter of interest, I have been reading your novels for years, and the early Sharpe books were read in the gloominess of a Chieftan tank, in West Germany. They kept me going through hours of boredoom, while waiting for the next simulated attack against Russian forces, stuffed in some wood. Yoyr words took me from a world of rain, hunger, cold and mud to one of distant dreams. You don't know how much you help us Seventh Armoured lads (Desert Rats), survive the turmoils of the Cold War. This is a simple thank you, and please keep writing. Steve

Hello Bernard! First of all, I would like to thank you for just being you, an author. (I'm glad you didn't just keep all those stories in your head!) I love your works, even though I started reading your books only last month. I just discovered you! Your 1st book I read is 'The Archer's Tale' aka 'Harlequin'. (Why the heck must there be two titles for such a unique book, I have no idea!) And you know what? I instantly fell in love with Thomas Hookton (In case, you're wondering, I'm a single--and lonely--29 year old girl.) He's such a strong character, and an enigma. Quite a loner, like myself. Thank you again for sharing him with me. Right now, I'm reading 'Vagabond'. Thomas and Robbie was visiting Hookton, the place where it all began. Between times, I go visit the bookstores to find any of your books that I can find. (I'm a collector, you see?). I just got hold of "Heretic', 'Redcoat', 'Stonehenge' and 'Crackdown'. I can't wait to get my hands on the 'Sharpe Series' and 'Starbuck' and read ALL of them. God, I wished I had discovered you sooner! Okay. That's all for now. I won't keep you away from your works. Go get them! Adromir
p/s : Just to let you know, I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where your books are quite rare and precious. Searching for them is like treasure hunting!

Mr Cornwell, As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail, I have been re-reading Gallows Thief and was reminded of another of those stories I've heard that explain phrases in the English language. The last one I mentioned about General Hooker you put me right on and again I'm not sure about this one though it sounds plausible. Back in the days when hangings took place at Tyburn, prisoners were transported from gaol (Newgate I presume) in two ways. Either a lone prisoner walked or by wagon if there was more than one. On the route was a tavern where the generous landlord would give a lone prisoner a last drink. 'One for the road'. If however the cart stopped at the tavern the landlord would refuse because 'They were on the wagon'. True or not it's a good story and thought I'd share it. Regards as ever, Nigel James.

PS I assume that the riflemen, that saved Sandman's foraging party in Spain, were Sharpe and Company although you never mentioned them by name. Nigel James

Dear Mr Cornwell, as a massive fan of yours I'd just like to know whether the Warlord Chronicles are going to be made into either a small mini series or a film trilogy. As Tim (Bulletin Board 25th Oct) has done, I went to see the King Arthur movie and was very disappointed and then recommended your books to two of my friends that went with me. Since then one has read A Winter King and says that he thoroughly enjoyed reading it and is now reading Enemy of God. As well I'd just like to say thanks for the great books and keep up the good work. James Brough

After reading most of your new book, I was struck by some similarity with your Arthurian trilogy, which are some of my favourite books. I think that at the same time you must have thought the same, because you have resurected Arthur on the first page of chapter six. Slap on the wrist for your proof reader? I did notice a couple of spelling mistakes that would not get picked up by a spell check. As a Wessex man I think I will enjoy this book as much as your previous ones, although I would argue the probability of a crude anchor holding at the mouth of Langstone Harbour. Look forwards to the rest of the series unless you need an observant proof reader. Regards Mike.

I just wanted to say that I find Sharpe a fantastic character. Your novels are suberb. I can not tell you how much I have enjoyed reading the Sharpe series. I found them through a history professor I had a few years ago and from then on have not been able to put them down. I love the action throughout each chapter and historcal notes at the end of each book. Sharpe's Prey, was magnificent, I had no idea any of that happened. Anyways, well done, just wanted to express my appreciation. Jake Beckstrand