Dear Mr Cornwell, I first started reading your books with the Warlord trilogy which re-ignited my interest in British history (for which I am deeply grateful). Recently, when reading The Last Kingdom (which is excellent by the way) it occured to me that, once again, you've chosen a character who is between cultures. Both Sharpe and to a lesser extent Derfel also fall into this category and, from what I know of them, I suspect the protagonist of the Starbuck novels will be in a similar vein when I get round to reading them. I am curious as to whether this is a concious literary device for examining these cultures through their differences or whether this is perhaps reflective of your own status as an Englishman among Americans or some other personal experience? I realise this is a potentially personal question and will, of course, not be at all offended if you choose not to answer but would be very interested to get a further insight into your character creation process. Thank you for your time. Ed Prior, Warwickshire, England.
The short answer is, I don't know. Not very helpful. I certainly don't consciously choose to use 'outsiders' as heroes and heroines, but I suspect you're right, so there's probably some deep psychological reason for it, and that's surely best left unexplored. At least by me! I don't think it has anything to do with living in the States - Sharpe was probably in my head long before I came here, and the natives are extraordinarily kind and welcoming. I suspect it has a great deal to do with being adopted by The Peculiar People, and that's an area, on the whole, I avoid like mad.