Bulletin Board

Q

Dear Sir, it is very refreshing to see an author having a forum such as this in order to communicate with his fans. I am sure you do not need to do this as your books will sell just as rapidly. Myself and (I am sure the rest of your fans) do appreciate your time. thankyou. Looking forward to the Sharpe Convention and hope to see you there and meet other fans. I believe that your favourite creation has been the Warlord Chronicles I wholeheartedly agree and would love to see a trilogy filmed, directed by Peter Jackson. Any ideas for who would play Derfel? Chris Pollack

A

Don't have a clue. Do you have any idea?


Q

I have collected almost all of your Sharpe novels and the Grail Quest all of which are great reads. I am hoping to get some signed when you are next in the UK. Do you have any dates planned? Regards, Martin Dilger

A

I expect to be in the UK for the release of Sharpe's Escape in early April. As soon as we know the exact details, they will be posted to the Diary page.


Q

Mr Cornwell, I have been a big fan of your writing for a long time now, and I must admit that my favourite books were the Starbuck Chronicles. I have read that you have sent him on an extented vacation to concentrate on Sharpe and his adventures. You also mentioned that this was in a way the fault (forgive me for that is not the right word to use) of TV. Perhaps you could try and influence those that made the Sharpe tv series to try it out with Starbuck. I realise that poor Nate is not as dashing and daring as Sharpe, (at least in the beginning) but they are fine stories and I for one feel that they would grace that television screen (or the big screen for that matter). Please let me know if you have any inclination as to when Starbuck will fight again. Gareth Jameson

A

I wish I could give you a time frame Gareth, but I don't want to make any promises I can't keep.


Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, My name is Mario and I'm one of your many Brazilian readers. Thanks for having given us the Arthur Books - I just loved them and I can tell you that finishing the third book made me very sad. After leaving Derfel, I'm now - almost one year later - in the company of Thomas of Hookton, and enjoying it a lot too. Hope I can see them both in the big screen soon. While it doesn't happen, please don't stop doing that great job. Best regards, Mario


Q

I love your Grail quest series, I hope this is/will be a long running series. I can't get enough of the adventures of Thomas of Hookton. Love you man, happy new year. Barry W. Harshfield Jr.


Q

Just read Gallows Thief which I thought excellent. But then I have read all of your books. Well done. I was interested in your comments about the number of folks who were hung in the late 18th and early 19th century. A direct ancestor of mine and his father were both hung drawn and quartered for opposition to the Hanovians ie during the Old Pretender ( James 3rd ) and Bonnie Prince Charlie ( Charles 3rd) rebellions. Both were called Thomas Syddall and executed, of course, 30 odd years apart. The latter Thomas Syddall along with James Dawson, Francis Townley and George Fletcher were hung drawn and quatered on July 30th 1746 at Kennington and their bodies, except for the heads, interned in Nelson's Burying Grounds which is now St George's Gardens. Such was the public outcry over this form of execution that this was one of the last carried out. I suppose the whole event proved that the Duke of Cumberland had more men even if his father had a lesser right to the throne. Keep up your standards. All the best for 2004, Derreck Siddell

A

Sorry to hear of the terrible fate of your ancestors - but thanks for supplying the interesting tale.


Q

Sir, I am delighted to see that you have continued to write the Sharpe series. I started reading your books in the deserts of Saudi Arabia back in 91' and have continued to read, and to my wife's dismay (since I spend more time with Sharpe than her), reread them time and time again. I sincerely ask that you do not stop with this series. I was truly troubled when I read Sharpe's Devil and found his adventure over but was pleased to see you go back and fill in the gaps. Please keep up the good work. You are truely as talented a writer as Sharpe was a soldier. Thanks, yours truly SSG Stewart 2bn 75th Inf RANGERS

A

The series is not complete yet - as you may know, the 20th Sharpe book will be published in April -Sharpe's Escape (possibly good news for you, but bad news for your wife?).


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I first stumbled on the Sharpe novels a few years ago (any book with Sean Bean on the cover was bound to catch my attention) and have been a great fan ever since. Having run out of Sharpe novels, I've recently read your Warlord series which I loved. I don't agree with your comments about rewriting the first third of the Winter King- for me, you made Arthur's world come to life. Likewise your wonderful Grail trilogy - I'm thrilled to read you're doing a new Thomas of Hookton novel as he's a great character too. I also think you create great villains - my favourites would have to be Guy Vexille (a compelling portrait of a fanatic) and the inimitable Hakeswill. I know you killed him off but is there any chance he might make another appearance - he's much too good to waste. Thanks for all your wonderful work and may you write many more novels, regards Isabel Robinson

A

Thanks for your comments - and I agree, I should never have killed off Hakeswill. Perhaps he has a twin?


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell - I have just read your FAQ and would like you to know that I have read all of your series, and agree strongly with you that the beat was the Arthur series. While I enjoy the others, the Arthur trilogy was just magical - no pun intended. Thank you. Donald McCall


Q

Just finished reading Sharpe's Havoc. I throughly enjoyed the book. What a page turner. Looking forward to finding more of the collection to read. Sir, you keep me up reading and I went to bed late. Thank you. John Armstrong