frankbarnard.com

Extracts from a recent email exchange…

—– Original Message —–
From: Konstantin Ishimov

Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 7:39 PM

Subject: Thank you for your book!

Dear Mr. Barnard

I am writing this letter to express my sincere interest to your books. I have read Blue Man Falling twice and it seems to me that I would do this once and once again.

One of my relatives fought in WW II as a fighter pilot of the Red Army. He first met Luftwaffe in the sky of Ukraine in July 1941. Unfortunately he was badly wounded in the late October 1942 and commissioned. He worked as an engineer on the air engine manufactory in the city of Ufa. I remember quit well his short stories about war in the air. Your story is so real and true that I easily can imagine you in a tight cockpit of a fighter.

I am a former military surgeon of Russian Army. I have ended my career this year. You are certainly right about human feelings during the war. The difference between war on land and battle in the sky is not very significant but some of my patients from Air Force, bombers, certainly told me that they were extremely alone in danger.

Thank you very much indeed for you excellent language which is so live and colorful!

I am looking forward to read your next books!

Yours sincerely,

Lt.colonel (Res) of medical service
Konstantin Ishimov

—– Response —–

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 1:12 PM
To: Konstantin Ishimov
Subject: Re: Thank you for your book!

Dear Lt.Colonel Ishimov,

My warm thanks for your most interesting communication, and also your comments about my novel. It is good to know that you think I have been successful to some degree in placing the reader in that ‘tight cockpit of a fighter’. That was certainly the objective, particularly for the younger readers to whom WWII is more remote by the year and becoming history. Attempting to summon up the ‘human feelings’ experienced in combat is a challenge, but a worthwhile one, although regrettably those feelings are still being experienced by young men today.

May I congratulate you on your retirement and wish that you enjoy much enjoyment in the years to come, including reading novels, but not all of them of course mine!

Finally, I wonder if you would permit me to add your remarks to my website, frankbarnard.com? I’m sure it would be of great interest to others,

Kind regards,

Frank Barnard

—– Response —–

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 8:42 PM
Subject: Thank you for your good wishes

Dear Mr. Barnard

Thank you very much to your kind answer. I have been surprised with your knowledge about my retirement which was signed only two month ago!

I would be happy to help your website with my little and rather awkward comment with your corrections if you find it possible.

Your language is so confident, colorful and correct that I find it as an example of true English. I really enjoy reading your books.

May I wish you to find more and more readers of your excellent novels not only in Europe but throughout the world. I believe that you do your work as an author and as peacekeeper too.

Thank you for good wishes!

Yours truly,

Lt.colonel (Res) of medical service

Konstantin Ishimov