Your Questions

Hello.

Do you think that there will come a time when you retire from book writing altogether?  Your fans hope that you won't but is it a possibility?

Thank you.

Andrew S., Leeds.

Sharpe's Story is of interest to anyone who loves those books.  I have all the stories (except the latest) on my kindle, and hope that you will eventually release this book on kindle as well?

As a sailor, I also enjoy the maritime stories as well - I list Stormchild as my favourite.

 

Mark Blaydes

Hi, I have read all of Sharps including the short stories and I’m looking forward to his next book. I just finished the Starbucks series.  Any chance Nate will March again? Thanks,

Bud

 

Hello

Thank you for keeping Sharpe alive; I always knew he had more adventures that you could write about.  I've read every Sharpe book and novella and about every 5 years or so I re-read the lot. Will you be uncovering more Sharpe stories?

Incidentally, your books prompted me to delve into the Peninsular war, Wellington and others from that period.  So thank you for that too.  It's been a great education.

Laura Butler

Dear Bernard

I was just curious what you (and Sharpe) made of Sir John Murray and the Siege of Tarragona which seems crazy looking at it https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Murray,_8th_Baronet

Geraint

Greetings Mr. Cornwell,

 

Firsthand, congratulations on your books, and recently the movie; Seven Kings Must Die. I just completed binge watching the series; The Last Kingdom. I will be collecting your books. My son (studying Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M), is an avid reader, it is what we both most have in common. His passion is philosophy, science and mathematics. I mention this because I consider myself a Christian, raised to trust in God. I realize that religion is ultimately the choice to the individual, and we should respect that. In viewing The Last Kingdom, really touched my heart, even though it seemed Christians fought against paganism, the loss of life, and the pain to lose those we love is the same.  I am not catholic, but I respect those who are. My question to you, what is your view on USA, a country with the freedom to choose religion or atheism, do you see this as a blessing or a curse? If united we stand, divided we fall, religion vs political views would affect future generations.

Thank you.

Grace De Los Santos

hello Bernard

Hope you are well.

i loved hearing you and the other Sharpe fellas (and lady!) on Radio 4 the other day! i knew about Paul McGann breaking his leg, but didn't realise how much filming he actually managed  complete. i've seen pictures of him in Rifle Green , with Mutton Chop! i've never seen any footage though. it would be intriguing to see how he did it! Maybe less SHOUTY! than Sean!

listening though, did make me wonder about a few things...

in the Films Simmerson seems to turn GOOD! he goes bonkers , and becomes a sweet old gentleman, but at the end he's back in uniform. i love the bit where he wishes "Richard", "A safe journey home" and a handshake!  i understand that the TV versions are a different continuity to your novels, (iand those heartless TV scumbags, couldn't just leave Lucille alive!), but they are still YOUR creations, so how do you feel about one of your greatest rotters being redeemed, and do you think that that version of Sir Henry will have changed or go back top being...well, Simmerson again?

i also got thinking about Jane.

i thought that Sharpe's Assassin was going to  be about her , sending some Assassins after Sharpie so she wouldn't have to give him his money back!

do you have any thought about what happened to Jane after Waterloo though? i always wonder at her fate...

Speaking of Simmerson, i was wondering about the Colonels of the South Essex. i know that it goes, Simmerson, Lawford, Windham, Leroy, Girdwood, Ford, Sharpe,, D'alabord,, but....i was rereading Honour recently and you imply in that that Leroy has just returned from England, after he took that nasty would at Badajoz, and thats when he becomes Colonel, . Thats about a year since Windham died though, so.....is there another Colonel of the South Essex we've not met yet, between Windham and Leroy?

i'm aware that we might be finding out in Sharpe's Command , so please don't tell me if its a Big Secret!

looking forward to Command and reading about Sharpe (as you put it on Radio 4)  "duffing up the French" pity our footballers can't duff the French up quite so effectively...

Regards as ever

Matt Copley

Kendall

I'm currently reading Cat Jansen's River Kings  which I know you enjoyed, "An astonishing and compelling triumph" according to you! i cant argue with that!  i''m loving it too! in your review, though you say the book taught you more than a dozen others.

the only thing is you've finished Uhtred, so its too late to use River Kings!

so, i was  curious about whether you've read any non-fiction books AFTER you've written a novel, that would have changed something, in Sharpe or Uhtred of Thomas of Hookton, in either a minor or major way, had you read first and wrote second?

Kind Regards

Matt in Kendall

Hi there!

Quick question--how much of the dialogue by say an Arthur Wellesley is plucked from letters/texts and how much is made up by you?

Best,

Kwame

Hello Mr. Cornwell.

As much as I have enjoyed your Saxon Chronicles, it was really a joy to return to the hero that I grew up on, Richard Sharpe.  I am throughly enjoying Sharpe's Assassin, and I expect to equally enjoy Sharpe's Challenge later this year.  I have a few questions:

1. Are you finally going to tell the story of Sharpe at Albuera?
2. How about Rolica and Vimeiro? And Moore's march into Spain just before Sharpe's Rifles?
3. You once said that you would never, never, never write the story of Sharpe's baptism of fire in Flanders. Are you holding to this, or is there a chance that we will read this story?  If you can write a successful Sharpe adventure in the aftermath of Waterloo, Flanders should be easy for you.

Regards,

Alan Kempner