Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard, whilst I think that Daragh O'Malley is great as Pat Harper in the TV series of Sharpe, he doesn't seem to be quite the hulk that Harper is in the books. Ween I first started reading Sharpe (many years ago!), I visualised Victor McLaglen as Harper, as he epitomised the big Irishman to me. When you first start writing a book, do you have actors in mind for the characters? (BTW - I did a search on Victor McLaglen before posting this to ensure I spelled his name correctly, and found out that he was actually born in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and so wasn't actually Irish! Here endeth today's useless piece of information!) Incidentally, I've just finished 'Sharpe's Havoc', and thought it excellent. Thanks for giving me so much enjoyment. David Coates

Submitted April 22, 2004

A

No! Not my job! That belongs to the Director and Producers. I rarely base characters on real persons - actors or otherwise. Victor McLaglen would have been terrific, you're right, but I thought Darragh O'Malley did a wonderful job.

Q

With the 'Sharpe's' books set in Europe during our recent disagreement with France etc, is there much difference between the USA and UK readers in their perceptions and 'Involvement' with that period ? Jon Pearce

Submitted April 22, 2004

A

Don't know! I suspect UK readers are slightly more involved, inasmuch as it's their history and names like Waterloo and Trafalgar are more redolent, but US readers constantly astonish me by their involvement and by their knowledge of Britain's history. Mind you, US readers rarely understand the joke - what's the difference between the French and toast? You can make soldiers out of toast.
Sorry.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I just read the first chapter of "The Last Kingdom" in your "What's Coming" section, and I think it rises above even your usual excellent standards. I am no longer so upset that you shelved the fourth Thomas of Hookton adventure! So how long will this series go for? Is this the first of another trilogy? I noticed that it specifies the the UK release will be in October. Will the US release be later? I hope not! Please print the cover for us to see when it is available. One more unrelated thing: You mentioned that you might write two short stories about Sharpe at Rolica and Vimeiro. I disagree. I think they are worthy of a full-length novel, and I hope you will write it when it is time to tell the story. Sincerely, Alan Kempner

Dear Bernard, The Harper Collins website in the U.S. carries no mention that I can find concerning 'The Last Kingdom' or any projected U.S. release date. (I understand it is to be published in the UK in October.) Have they mentioned anything to you about when 'Kingdom' will be published in the U.S.? Is it a 2005 publicaiton? Finally, are you giving any consideration for a U.S. book tour for Kingdom's publicaiton? Charles

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

Sorry about the 4th Thomas of Hookton novel, but the story somehow seems finished. So you have The Last Kingdom instead and yes, you will get the cover as soon as it's ready. How many in that series? I'm guessing 5 or more, but I don't know that for certain yet. I'm told the US publisher is waiting for the New Year to issue the book - why? Don't know, seems daft to me, but that's their business, not mine. In the UK the book is published in the first week of October this year. Your comments on Rolica and Vimeiro are duly noted! Too soon to know if there may be a US tour in 2005.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I am an avid reader, and have enjoyed all of your novels. I am sorry to hear that you will no longer be writing stories of Thomas Hookton, I felt that the first two novels were laying the foundation for another extended series. As a matter of fact I was extremely surprised at how abruptly the story line was wrapped up, the poor fellow never even learned how to use a sword properly. I understand a new Sharpe's story will be published this year, though I look forward to reading it, I reservations about reading further novel about Sharpe. I have read many authors who have written novels set in the Napoleonic period, Alexander Kent 'Richard Boitho' Patrick O'Brien 'Aubrey', Richard Woodman's 'Drinkwater', C.F Forester 'Hornblower', all excellent stories and characters. However, I can't help but feel that many of the later books in these series, lacked character development, plot line and were generally weaker then earlier books. For some of these authors, I feel they have over done it, there is only so often you can go to the well and expect to come back with another great story about the same old characters. As a result the over all work is tarnished by later books that are lacking. Therefore, my question is this when will mister Sharpe finally be retired? I would hate to see him go out like some tired old sports star, that never knew when to quit. I am positive that some of your other fine characters have tales and stories that need telling. I would love to read a follow up to Gallows Thief, and another Starbuck's novel would not go amiss. Thank you for the many hours of reading enjoyment. Doug

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

Don't know when Sharpe will retire, although I do know there will not be a new Sharpe book next year. A follow up to Gallows Thief is a possibility.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, 1. I don't know whether you have seen any of the 'Lord of the Rings' films (though someone probably told you about Sean Bean's sneaky reference to Sharpe in the first film :-) Both the second ('The Two Towers') and third ('The Return of the King') feature a scene in which a cavalry charge breaks through tightly-packed infantry with lances something which the Sharpe books have emphasized is impossible. The movies offer some limited explanation: the bad guys fail to hold their lances steady when the sun shines in their eyes, or simply out of nervousness. Is this plausible? Under what circumstances, if any, can cavalry overrun prepared infantry, aside from: a) troops being in line; b) troops panicking and fleeing, as the Spanish did in 'Sharpe's Eagle'; or c) a freak incident like the one at Garcia Alba described in 'Sharpe's Sword'? 2. It is established that Sgt. Deron (aka Marshall Pot-Au-Feu) was a historical figure, who led the army of deserters. But was he really Marshall Soult's cook at Oporto, or is that an invention? Michael Lee

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

I should think it's pretty well impossible for cavalry to break into properly prepared infantry. It happened at Garcia Hernandez when a horse was killed and slid along the ground and its weight broke open the French square. Horses (I'm told) are reluctant to charge home into formed infantry (they're not idiots), but of course squares did break. If you fill the square with ranks then a horse plainly can't keep going inside - it will eventually be brought to a halt by sheer compression of bodies. When the first Eagles were taken at Waterloo the French were in column, but they must have been breaking apart under the impact of the horses - and a marching column obviously had spaces between the ranks which gave the horses room. Deron was an historical figure, but I assigned him to Marshal Soult - pure invention.

Q

When you wrote the Grail Quest series in your research did you come across any sources for the Holy Roman Empire? I mention HRE because the Crossbow Men who fought for the Frecnh came from one of countries under the rule of HRE. It amazed me that The HRE didn't take more of active role in the Hundred year war then sending those Crossbow men. Vanguard

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

I guess because the HRE didn't have a dog in that quarrel - which was a fight between England and France over territory that was a long way from the Holy Roman Empire - and the Genoese crossbowmen were all mercenaries, so fought for whoever paid them - they weren't sent by the Emperor, but hired by a paymaster. I'm sure the HRE took advantage of the war! Best read Jonathan Sumption's marvellous two volume history to discover more.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Sharpe's Escape - especially as it was delivered to me earlier than the date on the Amazon site and took me by surprise! I admit I was shocked at Lawford's behaviour as regards Sharpe and Slingsby at first but then it does fit in with his later behaviour in Regiment though I had still thought he appreciated Sharpe more since this was just after Gold where he comes across much nicer! I did like Leroy's comment about waiting forever for an apology for Sharpe! I have a few questions though. How come the Ensigns serving under like Illife are always unlucky? Obviously it's not just being a junior officer because Price survives and all the other officers were Ensigns once too! But the same thing happened to Illife as to Denny, Matthews and MacDonald - I suspect being Sharpe's subordinate is something of a curse! I've been left wondering what happened to various people at the end of the book - Slingsby, Sarah, Vicente, Ferreira and Bullen. Will any of them appear in later books or are they just going to "disappear?" Lastly, I was wondering how old Price is when he first appears in Sharpe's Battle? He's definitely one of my favourite characters so I hope he appears in later books. I love the conversation he has with D'Alembord at Waterloo - especially where he's buttered the Colonel's sash! Looking forward to your new book when it comes out, as always. Marie.

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

It's a sort of bad joke - when I killed my first Ensign (Sharpe's Gold) a woman in the publishers expressed shock and horror, so she now gets a dead one in virtually every book. Such is fate. What happens to other characters? Some will inevitably fade away, others might return in later books - as Price will, I'm sure. The series isn't finished!

Q

I am re-reading the Sharpe novels again after watching the dvd's. I know the TV series took some poetic license with the books but, will you ever write about how Sharpe & Harper meet? Obviously that first meeting would not be warm & friendly based on how they are in Rifles. Also, when does Sharpe give Harper the volley rifle & where has Sharpe been hiding it since Trafalgar? I just received my Sharpe's Skirmish & Sharpe's Christmas in the mail last week. I was so excited to finally get them & was even more suprised when I opened the envelope & the covers. Thank you!!! I called my father immediately ( he is an avid fan as well). And thank you for this website & your dedication to your many fans, and of course the books. I, too, am requesting you to visit the SF Bay Area, Just know that summer here is not in June but starts in August and ends in October. Thanks again, Christine

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

I think their meeting is as fully described in Sharpe's Rifles as it ever will be, and, if my memory serves me right, Sharpe gives Harper the volley gun during the interval between Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold - so it isn't the same weapon that he uses at Trafalgar (there were several hundred made!).

Q

Bernard, Once again you have come through with another excellent book in "Sharpe's Escape." Heck, I was even enjoying myself with Sarah when they were escaping from that warehouse. By the way, is there any way you can make our child of the gutter, Dick Sharpe, a Knight of the Garter? Maybe he can end up in Mexico fighting as a General with General Zachary Taylor. Just a thought. Thanks again for the wonderful writing. Phil

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

I think Sharpe ought to end up as Sir Richard Sharpe (though I doubt he'll be a member of the Order of the Garter), but does it happen? Don't know. Not yet, anyway. But he'd enjoy the joke.

Q

Many thanks for Sharpe's Havoc which I've just read in a day (everything else I was supposed to do somehow didn't happen!). One tiny quibble - why have you gone back to describing him with black hair? I'm sure I read somewhere that you said you'd stopped. I can't be the only person who reads them with Sean Bean firmly pictured in my mind so it confused me somewhat!! But thanks for a wonderful story and am now waiting for Escape to come out in paperback ...... (hardbacks are much harder to read in bed or the bath!). Val

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

I've always pictured Sharpe the way I originally described him, but I do now hear Sean Bean's voice as Sharpe when I write the books.