Your Questions

Q

It goes without saying i have read all you books sve the Arthur trilogy. But i was wondering, im a great fan of Forester, how Hornblower and Sharpe would get on. They seem very different but are both great men. Teddy Chabo

Submitted June 2, 2005

A

I suspect they'd like each other, but also suspect Hornblower would consider Sharpe a bit underhand at times. They'd like each other's efficiency, I think.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Congratulations and thankyou. I have just finished reading 'A Crowning Mercy' and I not only think it's one of the best books you have written but is one of the best books I have ever read. I wasn't going to read it when I saw it was classed as a 'romantic novel' but curiosity got the better of me, and I am glad it did. The ending, despite my efforts to try and figure it, was surprising, exiting and breath taking. I cannot wait to read 'Fallen Angels'. Can I ask you a couple of questions please. How much input did your wife have into the book and how different do you think it would have been if you had written it by yourself? As a reader I felt anger and despair each time Campion was trapped or beaten and joy and pleasure when she was on top and seemed to be winning. Do you have the same feeling when you are writing a novel or are you too aware of the rest of the story that you don't feel it like a reader? I am about to start 'Fallen Angels' but I have noticed it is set 160 years on from the first book, are the two novels connected? I doubt very much that we will see Sir Toby or Lady Campion ever again but once again thankyou for a brilliant novel. Barry Evans Kirk Sandall, Doncaster

Submitted June 2, 2005

A

Judy put in lots . . . but we were so tangled that it would be hard to quantify. And yes, I do feel as the reader feels (I hope). Some passages are incredibly hard to write because of the feelings they provoke, and very hard to revisit - I have never been able to re-read the death of Derfel's daughter. I should add that I don't get these emotions writing Sharpe! The books are connected in that the characters of A Crowning Mercy are ancestors to the characters of Fallen Angels.

Q

Mr Cornwell , I have read and enjoyed all of the Sharpe books. Given Sharpe's close friendship with Patrick Harper it would seem a shame if their adventures did not take them at least once to Ireland . I'm sure Sharpe's legendary diplomatic skill would go down well there ! Is an adventure on the Emerald Isle for our two heroes likely ? Regards , A biased Derryman

Submitted June 2, 2005

A

Is it likely? I dunno - but never say never!

Q

BC you said that you spent to much time trying to build a world and not enough on the story when you wrote the Winter King. Have you ever considered writing a revised edition of the Winter King like Raymond E. Theist did with his first book Magician? It would give you an excuse to write about Arthur. Ali

Submitted June 2, 2005

A

Nah, not really. And I doubt the publishers would want me to, and it isn't that unreadable (I hope!).

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, Just in the middle of reading Sharpe's Waterloo (almost finished it) and just wanted to say how good it is. One of the best Sharpe books in my opinion - with Regiment being your best. Just one thing about the book - Ensign Christie who saved the colours while being hacked at by the french is said in your book to be a sixteen year old but when I typed his name into a search engine it said that he was recently promoted from Sergeant-Major. So I was wondering if you had used 'poetic liscence' when writing that part or whether the site he was mentioned on is wrong. Secondly, could you please describe how a battalion of marines was spread out on boats - for example where did the majors and Lieutenant-Colonels go if the Captain of the Marines was usually the senior marine on board a ship? Once again, thanks for the hours of pleasurable reading and I am really glad that I decided to pick up the Sharpe series. Lewis. P.S. Can't wait for the next Alfred book.

Submitted June 2, 2005

A

Siborne, who collected so many first hand accounts of the campaign for his book, says he was an Ensign, so I don't know! Maybe the website is wrong, perhaps Siborne is, perhaps I am?

Marines were usually quartered between the ship's crew and the ship's officers - a sort of guard against mutiny. Officers, of course, all slept in the aftermost part of the ship - including marine officers. The stern of a ship was the best place to be because ships were incredibly smelly, and the wind usually came from behind.

Q

Will there be more stories to follow the title: "The Last Kingdom"? As always, you write entertaining stories. RH

Submitted June 1, 2005

A

Yes! The next book in the series is The Pale Horseman. Click on the 'What's Coming' link on this website to reach the book page for this book - and to read an excerpt.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My whole extended family is eagerly awaiting the next Sharpe book. I believe I read that the next book would be out in late 2005 or in 2006. Now I read it will not be out until 2007. Are we talking about the same book or am I confused? Do hope it will be soon as some of us are in advanced years and can't wait too long! You may be amused to know that some of the expressions and exploits from Sharpe have become part of our family language and allusions. Sincerely, Roberta Parker

Submitted June 1, 2005

A

I suspect I am the confused one. I did think there may be a new Sharpe in 2006 - but it now appears that it is much more likely to happen in 2007. I do hope you'll be able to hold on until then!

Q

Mr.Cornwell When is The Pale Horseman coming to the US? The first one was really good, and what is your favorite series that you have written? David Dorsey

Submitted June 1, 2005

A

The Pale Horseman should be available in the US by the end of January, 2006. My favourite series? Hard to say - I am hugely enjoying the tales of Uhtred at the moment.

Q

I merely wish to know whether you ever plan to turn the warlord trilogy into a set of films? Marlow Upton

Submitted June 1, 2005

A

I'd love to see it happen! But I'm not a filmmaker so it's up to someone else to do it - and I fear it may be just too expensive to do.

Q

Dear Bernard, I have to confess to having only read your work for the first time in October last year. Since then, however, I have managed to read the entire Sharpe series, the Archer trilogy, and have just finished The Bloody Ground, bringing the Starbuck Chronicles to a close. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your books and am about to devour the Arthur series. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the countless hours of enjoyment that you have afforded me. I have only one question though, and that is that Starbuck, after Antietam Creek, seems trapped in limbo, even though we have been assured that he will march again! Have you any plans to extend Starbuck Chronicles any further? I do hope that will be the case... Kind regards, Andy

Sir, I have greatly enjoyed the Starbuck Chronicles and would like to know if you will be continuing the series? Thankyou, Ron Zuch

Submitted June 1, 2005

A

Yes I do hope to get back to Starbuck someday; I'm just not sure right now when that might be...