Your Questions

Q

I would just like to say hello and tell you that I enjoy your writing immensely. I have had many days at work, extremely groggy and cloudy-minded due to not being able to put down one of your books the night before(and on into the morning) :) I would also like to ask one question: Any word on Nathaniel Starbuck? That series was the first of your work that I read and I still read them. Just wondering if there was going to be a continuation in the near future or if you have decided to retire Starbuck to work on other gripping reading? Thank you for all the hours of entertainment you have provided, Daryl Graham

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

I am working on other projects at the moment - but I do hope to return to Starbuck at some point.

Q

Please could you tell me, is Sharpe based on a real character as I understand that he is according to my local radio station in Leicester. It is reported that the character who Sharpe is based on is buried in Leicester. Dick Leslie

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

Sharpe is utterly fictional - based on my imagination.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I enjoy reading your books so much. After I finish reading them I can't get them out of my head for weeks! My absolute favorite is Stonehenge because I have never read anything like it and I also love the Warlord Chronicles and Grail Quest series. I was very disappointed to read that you decided not to write the fourth Thomas of Hookton book and I can only hope you change your mind. Now that I'm done acting like a dorky fan I would love to ask you a question. In Heretic, I was wondering why you didn't mention what happened to Jeanette and Mordecai. I was just curious about their fate. Thank you very much for your time, I wish you all the best. Jill Levraea

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

They do rather fade away, don't they? Sorry. Maybe I'll pick them up in a later book one day.

Q

Hello again, Mr. Cornwell. Here's another question for you: In Redcoat, do you ever specify which regiment Sam Gilpin is serving in? I have thumbed through my copy and can find no reference to it. Sincerely, Alan Kempner

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

I don't think I do - I don't remember - but as the inference is that he must have belonged to one of the six battalions that donated their light companies to fight at Paoli's Tavern I probably avoided a specific reference so I wouldn't be trapped by whatever that particular battalion subsequently did.

Q

Hi, do you know if your series on Sharpe's War is available on video/dvd? I don't have cable etc so I didn't get to see it??? cheers! Rob Widdowson

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

Not yet, but they promised to let us know when it is available - so we'll keep you posted.

Q

One of your readers this week mentioned the Kenneth Roberts books - which I'm sure you have read. Can we persudae you to write about Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers. Ther is some great material in his life which Roberts had only time to explore in small part. He's a fascinating character. Hope so Thank you for splendid stories. R. Nash

Bernard: A few years ago I contacted you via letter regarding your Civil War series of books. I thought I tried hard to not sound critical, but mentioned that during the Civil War regiments were more the common useage than the term 'battlaion'. It seems that ever since then there have been no further additions to the series. Please jump back in! Also, why not write a series on the American green jackets? Either Rogers Rangers of the French & Indian Wars or Berdan's 1st & 2nd US Sharpshooters? A lot of people from the UK and the US vacation in Jamaica and many British troops were sent there back in Sharpe's time. I just recently returned from there myself. I am looking forward to SHARPE'S ESCAPE !!!!! Very Best Regards, Roger Norland

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

You can try and persuade me, but I'm so stacked up with projects that I don't know how persuadable I'll be. Another one for the long finger? But thank you for the suggestions.

Q

Dear Bernard, I am very much looking forward to 'Sharpe's Escape'. Having re-read 'Sharpe's Siege' this week it seemed curious that Sharpe reveals he is incapable of hanging people, it is "his weakness" he says. This, of course, was the death awaiting Hakeswill before he was saved by the actions of his good old mum! Is there an intentional link between Sharpe's self - confessed weakness and the fate escaped by his enemy or am I just making things up!!!!?!!! Hope you are well. Best wishes, Berj. P.S. 'A Crowning Mercy' was great!!!

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

I hadn't realised Sharpe was so squeamish - he doesn't seem to mind disembowelling people, so I can't think why he said that! I don't think there's any link. Was he being ironic?

Q

As someone who is an avid reader of ALL your books, I notice that on the cover of "WATERLOO" it states that this is Sharpe's last battle. I now see that "SHARPE'S ESCAPE" is to be published later this year.

Whilst not complaining about his continued exploits, I am somewhat confused.

Can you please tell me if Sharpe has a lot more problems or will he be retired soon

Thank you for the pleasure that your work has given me, long may it do so

M.G. Morris

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

You may be confused if you do not realise that the Sharpe books published in the last few years are written out of chronological order. Sharpe's Waterloo (published in 1990) takes place in 1815 - Sharpe's Escape (to be published in April of this year) takes place in 1810. I don't believe Sharpe will be retiring this year - or next.

Q

This is just a short note to thank you for the many hours I have spent with your fanstatic books. What about a series on one of South African wars? John Buckland

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I can never get very interested in them, I fear. Someone else can write the series perhaps?

Q

I loved the ending of Excalibur, mostly your interpretation of the entrapment of Merlin and the duel between Arthur and Mordred. Is there evidence that voodoo like rituals which Nimue performed to make Ceinwyn ill took place during the Dark Ages? Thanks. Andreas Azzopardi

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I can't think of any direct evidence, but I think it can be inferred from anthropological studies and, of course, from the prohibitions uttered by Christians.