Great action writer

[Calgal]

I am a huge Bernard Cornwell fan. I first encountered him on TV when Masterpiece Theater did the Sharpe series, what, about twenty years ago? Stellar.

Over the years I have read the Sharpe books, constantly amazed how convincingly he handles battle.

Later, I read the Grail Quest series, where he did a fine job on an earlier time period.

His Stonehenge, 2000 B.C. is equally convincing.

He creates great villains, believable Dickensian characters who complicate already difficult situations for his heroes. His heroines, alas, are cardboard, mere foils, but the authentic-seeming adventure more than makes up for this.

[Grasshopper]

I'm more of a fan of his character development. I tend to skim through the hot and heavy of his battles as in most books I read. I still really like his books, regardless.

[Alaric]

He's my favourite author for both of those reasons. :)

[Cuchulainn]

Cornwell can do no wrong.

I can't think that anyone would disagree that he is one of the top historical fiction writers out there.

Sharpe is his best, followed by the Grail Quest. Then the Saxon series followed by the Arthur Series. The Starbuck Chronicles are great, but I'm not all that into the subject matter, so those novels rank low on my list.

no one ever talks about "Gallows Thief" despite the fact that it is Cornwell at his best: it's a story told in the nineteenth century, not about the ninenteenth century.

By the way, good to see you found this site Alaric.

[EC2]

Gallow's Thief is my absolute favourite Cornwell to date Cuchullain. I couldn't put that one down. I enjoy Sharpe, and the Harlequin series. The Uhtred ones are not half bad either. I wall-banged Stone Henge and couldn't get into the Arthur ones - a case of not believing in the worlds created and not actually caring - especially with Stone Henge. But Gallow's Thief. 10 out of 10.
Hasn't he written one with his wife too? My dh got hold of it I think but wasn't keen.

[Alaric]

He wrote A Crowning Mercy, Fallen Angels and Coat of Arms with his wife, yeah.

[Volgadon]

BC has a gift for writing action, definitely.

[lindymc]

I arrived late in life to the Bernard Cornwell fan club, but he is now a real favorite and I agree with all that's been said so far. I especially like Cornwell's supporting casts. I just read the Saxon series, and love the characters that are Uhtred's friends: Leofric, Pyrlig, Steapa, Beocca the priest. Even his enemies in some ways are to be enjoyed: Guthred who betrays him, Erik who fought him and then asked a favor, and of course King Alfred who constantly frustrates Uhtred and also me, the reader.

[chuck]

BC..I've been reading him since the 80's....I was a bit bored with "Stonehenge"...."Redcoat" is one of my favorites.... "Gallows Thief" is brilliant......If you haven't checked out his website....It's must for BC fans....Can't wait for "Azincourt" .......

[annis]

"Azincourt" is out! Couldn't wait, so I've ordered a copy from British online bookstore, Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/showbook.php?id=0007271212)

[Douglas W Jacobson]

Hi Everyone,
I'm also a big fan of Cornewll's and especially the Sharpe series. It's a real talent to create a character like Sharpe that develops a worldwide following.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bernard when we served on a panel together at the 2007 Historical Novel Society Convention in Albany, NY. He is a very entertaining speaker with terrific command of an audience. He's got a great sense of humor and, best of all, a measure of modesty about his work. In his own words, "After all, I'm just a storyteller!"

Douglas W Jacobson,
Author,
NIGHT OF FLAMES: A Novel of World War Two

[Swampy]

I'm a fan of Mr Cornwell too!

Just finished Azincourt which I really enjoyed and would agree with other posters that Gallow's Thief and Redcoat are really good one off books.

I have read the Grail series and the Alfred the Great Series, but believe it or not have yet to get round to reading a single book from the Sharpe series. I've seen one or two of the televised episodes and maybe its the image of Sean Bean as Sharpe that sticks in my mind. Not that there's anything wrong with Sean Bean, but it makes it hard to imagine Sharpe as anything else!

[rex icelingas]

Just wondering If anyone thinks they should perhaps have a TV spin off series of any other of BC`S books

Earl Uhtred? Arthur ? Thomas of Hookton?

Another question: do you think he should possibly carry on the Arthur story with Derfel Gadarn`s further adventures as i thought the trilogy ended a little open(and rather sad)

[Margaret]

My turn finally came at the library for Agincourt/Azincourt, and I read it in about two days (well, maybe three). I thought it was exceptionally good and have posted a review at http://www.HistoricalNovels.info/Agincourt.html. Every page is infused with the results of Cornwell's research, but without ever getting the reader bogged down in a story-halting history lesson. I love the way he gets not only the technical details, but also the psychological details right. Of course, this is an unsparing depiction of brutal warfare, which is not for every reader - but I found it impressive the way Cornwell manages to convey the sense of triumph the English felt with their victory at Agincourt without ever glorifying or glamorizing the warfare itself.

[robinbird79]

I enjoyed his Arthur series as it made it seem much more possible that he could have actually existed (and I'm a bit of a romantic...it would be nice to find out there WAS an Arthur).

After seeing the mention of some of BC's other books, I'll have to look them up and try to get my hands on them, especially the Agincourt one. :)

[This charming manc]

I'm a fan of Mr Cornwell too!
Just finished Azincourt which I really enjoyed and would agree with other posters that Gallow's Thief and Redcoat are really good one off books.


A great call there Redcoat is definitely one I wished he had followed up on, I hope he returns to that mine at some point.