Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I have several threads to pluck. May I begin by commenting to the reader from Canada who wanted some intriguing historical fiction on the Seven Years War, or the French- Indian Wars, as they’ve been called in the lower 48. For my money, the premiere historical fiction writer of early American history was Kenneth Roberts of Kennebunkport, Maine. I don’t know if his books are still on the shelves, but his book 'Northwest Passage' certainly fits the bill: Major Robert Rogers led his men through hell and back to carry out an attack on the French and their allies. Roberts also writes about the cesspit of the North East wilderness as Benedict Arnold led his 'Rabble In Arms' from 'Arundel', Maine up into Canada and back again. He also tells of the French ill fated excursion down to Haiti in the book 'Lydia Baily'. To be fair, he also told the Tory side of the American Revolution through a loyalist named Oliver Wiswell. I haven’t found an author so able to suffuse the reality of a campaign into the reader so well as Roberts until I read Sharp’s Eagle.
Next, I, like many other readers of 'Pagan Lord', am hanging off a cliff wanting to know if Uthred makes it back alive! You have mentioned 'The Empty Throne'; however, I could guess there’s hope because the book is in the first person. Just whom is Uthred talking to anyway, the guys in the mess hall at Valhalla? It’s logical that he is relating his memoirs to one of his sons before he dies, who is taking it all down for posterity.
I really wonder about all your readers with military experience, especially officers who have to “lead” men, if there’s any who can’t empathize with Sharpe. How did you acquire your military acumen?
Speaking of Mr. Sharpe, I know that you are friends with Sean Bean. I think it would be neat if they put 'Gallows Thief' into production and cast Bean in the lead role as Logan. It would give him a different type of character to portray, and I believe he would pull it off nicely.
Some of your readers don’t like Starbuck, and I can’t agree at all. The tragedy of the Civil War is in some way a part of every American who knows and appreciates their history. While I normally consider myself a Yankee, I troubled of late to understand that the war spelled the end of federalism and the beginning of the slow advancement of a central autocracy. I think that many in the south saw this and fought for the dream that started in Philadelphia. While Starbuck is an adventurer, I think he understands this, too, as he fights for Virginia. I appreciate your intrest in the American experience, and I wish that Starbuck would march to Fredericksburg with or without Sharpe’s arrogant son.
It’s a pity that someone else must write about the War of 1812, since your have your plate full; however, we do know that there were green jackets there.
Though you probably wish for respite from the labors of writing, I’m guessing there are muses that quietly torment you as they did C.S. Forrester, as when he tried to furlough Hornblower. That irrepressible character would return and tell about his exploits, which drove the poor man back to his typewriter. I hope that Starbuck, Sharpe, Uthred, Thomas of Hookton, and Logan will all come around now and then to get you caught up on what they’re up to. May you ever be blessed with work.
With great respect,
John May