Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, As fan of yours books, I'm pleased to wish you an Happy New Year. I'm a Frenchman who lives in The Netherlands. I saw all the Sharpe that the BBC did, on the Dutch television (in English). I always hoped my father could ever see it on the French television (and as always in France dubbed in French). Today I heard it won't be possible because you refuse to let the series appear on the French television. Is it true ??? It makes me so curious that I have you to ask why ??? Many thanks for your answers and for all your books. Laurent

Dear Sir, I have just finished reading the Starbuck Chronicles which I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked learning more about the Civil War, especially from the viewpoint of the South. I also think that Starbuck is an interesting character, perhaps more so than Sharpe. I have quite enjoyed watching Sharpe on TV and now think that Starbuck would be an excellent subject either of a film or a mini series on TV in the mould of Roots, for instance. If the right actor could play Starbuck, and the battle scenes be handled correctly eg showing the huge loss of life and avoiding the lack of realism that many adaptations achieve, this could be a huge success. So my question is, have you any plans to film Starbuck and have you retained these rights? For the record I live in the UK just outside Colchester. I see you used to live there too. I travel to the States around 1 month every year on business, including Boston and NYC. Kind regards and Happy New Year, John Butcher.

Hi Bernard, just to say thanks for filling in my 'bait time' with your superb writing, although the other lads can hardly read they love hearing what happens in Sharpe's life from me and the apprentices have all got a fascination with Ferragus! I just wanted to ask, among the young working class in England, well, Cumbria, there seems to be a stigma attached to reading...I get called the Professor from my mates because I read paperbacks.....do you think there could be a way of getting them to have a go so I don't have to relay it to them all the time? Sorry if it's a shit question but Ive had a few pints this after. It is New Years day! All the best mate...keep up the good work! Scott Clague, 29, glass cutting supervisor Workington Cumbria

Bernard, Are you doing a book tour for 'Pale Horseman' in U.S.? In particular, the San Francisco Bay Area? Curious ... Best DW

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have read all of your books and think they're fantastic. I am also a huge fan of Flashman and see that you are too. Given that you have met George MacDonald Fraser and have dedicated your most recent book to him I think you are the best person to help put an old rumour to rest - is George MacDonald Fraser actually a woman? Kind regards, Will.

Dear Bernard, Pardon my bad grammar. My excuse is that I'm Swedish ;). I've been enjoying your Arthur series so far. I'm only at Enemy of God so I haven't finished the series yet. I also bought the Last Kingdom which seems equally interesting. I have never read your Sharpe books (for some reason they didn't make a big impact in Sweden). Since I'm a fan of Hornblower I think I might enjoy them as well. Now to my questions: First Question: Paralell to your books I'm also reading the books covering the same topic by Jack Whyte. His version focuses on the last days of the Roman era - rather than the post Roman period which your books start in. Have you ever read his books and if you have, what did you think of them? They were good enough that I decided to buy a ticket to Newcastle just to see Hadrianus Wall, mabye they'll have the same effect on you :). Second Question: I read a few of the suggestions for future book topics in your bbs. One that never came up. Have you thought about the period around the Black Plague? I can't really think of that many good books covering that era(not counting Dante and the like). Actually, one of the better was a book called "Doomsday Book". Which really was more of SciFi than Historical Fiction but the description of the era was one of the best (most believable) I've ever read. Just something to ponder on for future topics :). Good medieaval fiction can't arrive soon enough. Thank you for reading this. Best regards, Marcus

Sir, I have been wondering, why did you first start reading the Horatio Hornblower series, and, what happens to the seven-barreled gun that Harper gets after Waterloo? I have been curious, did you ever research the languages for the books, or did you just use a few words?
David Lamaster

I'm a devoted Sharpe fan and could bore you and everyone else with reams of heartfelt praise, but I would rather cut to the questions, so: 1. I've been browsing the "Your Questions" pages hoping to find out something about the fate of Capt. Frederickson, and was very disappointed to see your response to the one "Sweet William" question posted on the site. It was very devastating to me the way he dropped out of site with no mention of him by any character in the subsequent books. Please, save me from this haunting image of him lying on a bed in a dark room sucking death from an opium pipe ... 2. On another forum there was a discussion of your stories in which one of the participants disputed your "contention" that the French referred to the British as "Goddams", due to the frequency with which the British soldiers seemed to use that term. He insisted instead that the nickname they actually used was "Godins". He spoke so authoritativley that I had to wonder if there was somehting to this. I've done a little internet research without coming up with anything besides this wikipedia entry -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_goddams. Could you shed some light? Bob Barrows

Dear Mr Cornwell, I became a fan of your books aged 15 when my father was lent some of the Sharpe episodes on video. My father had previously read most of your books and I have since devoured the entire Sharpe series, followed with a brief period reading through Hornblower (I am now hooked on military historical fiction) and I am now mid-way through the Starbuck chronicles. I enjoy drawing some comparisons between the two series (Sharpe and Starbuck both reject their backgrounds, Sharpe and Harper have a similar relationship to Starbuck and Truslow - one that is not considered socially acceptable, and I see similarities to Rossendale and Washington Falcouner - allies that fall from favour with the hero and the reader.) I have a few questions. Firstly, with the introduction of Sharpe's adventures in India, was it intended that Sharpe - who was originally said to be a sergeant when imprisoned in Seringapatam - become a private? Secondly, do you intend to complete the Starbuck Chronicles? (Having not read the Bloody Ground yet, I'm not sure what kind of ending there is, but I'm told that the characters are left open for another book.) Thirdly, having most ends tied up throughout the Sharpe novels, there is one character who fades from view - Captain Charles Morris. Sharpe swears vengeance on both him and Hakeswill for the flogging he receives in Sharpe's Tiger, but aside from a mention of him becoming a major in Sharpe's Company, he never seems to get what's coming to him. Will Sharpe gain his revenge? Finally, has anyone suggested to you making a film from the Starbuck Chronicles? Being an Australian, I'm not sure what an American response to this would be, but I see it as a most vivid portrayal of the lifestyles and battles of the civil war. I would also like to say keep up the good work - there are few authors whose work I enjoy as much and I am waiting for the release of the next Sharpe novel with great anticipation. Matt Newham

Derfel escaped the death trap. And was saved by the gods? Merlin? Who knows. I want you to know that I am in love with Derfel. He reminds me of one of my own. I, of course, have never written a book, I understand just how hard it is. My problem is that this story won't leave my mind. The more I try to forget about it the more it grows. Did Derfel remain in your mind for a while? Or did he jump out at you? I hear of your Sharpe books, but I refuse to read them until I read the next two Arthur books. Sorry for being such a clique of a fan. Martin