Your Questions

I note that following 'Command' you are unlikely to follow with a further Sharpe, not immediately at least. At the risk of seeming impertinent could I ask you reconsider? 'Assassin' had heavy hints from both Wellington and Sharpe that the latter might return to the army. What a pleasure it would be to us all if Sharpe was allowed by his creator to reach general command. You might follow O'Brian and imagine an 1815a or even b and c...

Regards

David Lovibond

Happy New Year from the USA, Mr. Cornwell! I'm delighted to read through the "Your Questions" section of your website. I came here having found this website by accident, and set my mind to ask you a question on the off-chance you might answer it, before realizing that I too am familiar with the film adaptations of your work. I finished to see all of The Last Kingdom earlier in 2022, having been so impressed with the visual device of place names transforming between languages, among so many other pleasures in the plot and the production. The history of linguistic change, especially in the UK, is a particular source of intellectual fascination to me. (And then, suddenly, "Sharpe," I think, "Sharpe... why am I picturing Sean Bean?" After I send this question, I'm off to reacquaint and probably finish those films too.) But none of that is my question.

Something about the name Eohhere draws me to use it in my own first attempt at a novel, but I can't work out how to pronounce it. Any transliteration with phonetic spellings I've found tell me absolutely nothing. Do you know of either a film featuring this name, or an interview with a person so named, that I might give a listen? Alternatively, how many syllables does it have and what does it rhyme with? Which syllable gets the accent?

Thank you for all you do -

John

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell,

Long a fan of the Saxon stories, I recently read two of your books that describe very different times and places:  “The Fort” - US history in the 1700’s and “Fools and Mortals - England in the 1590’s during the time of Queen Elizabeth.  And I was blown away by your ability to bring so many different characters to life.  I am somewhat familiar with Shakespeare’s plays as I studied English at UC Berkeley in the 60’s, but did not know the challenges faced by players and playwrights during the 17th century.  I suffered the cold and wet of Richard before he met Silvia and was over-joyed when he finally could play a “man” and begin to receive the respect of his brother and to receive more money for his efforts,  By the way, was Richard really William’s younger brother, or another figment of your incredible imagination?  Thank you, thank you, for your wonderful books and I will definitely read more.

Sincerely,

Sue Witter

Are you working on any new novels not including Sharpe series???

George Anthony Asprakis

Dear Mr Cornwell,

First let me say that your books are extra ordinally awesome, and I have been a fan of Sharpe since I read the first ever Sharpe novel.  Not to say but the others are great also.  I was wondering if you ever intended to write more in the Starbuck Chronicles, although I understand the Saxon Tales and Sharpe have been extremely popular.

Best wishes

Bill Drisko

PS wishing you and your family a very Merry

 

Hello! So, I just finished the Starbuck series. Bravo, brilliant! However, one thing comes to mind and has lingered to the point I feel like I must ask. In advance let me say, it is my understanding that you’ve opted to leave Nate off to his fate- as each reader imagines it. But, I don’t believe we’ve seen this character at his lowest, we haven’t seen him beaten. We’ve seen him ride the initial swells of Confederate victories, of course. In the “little story” we watched as he struggled personally, rallying, overcoming, and while I won’t saying reaching triumph, I will settle on contented acceptance. But we all know this isn’t the real story, and I feel it’s a disservice to the character not to follow through the unavoidable failures. Can his department, thus story, truly be complete without it? Admittedly, as a reader I could give an ending myself, but we both know yours would be much better! So, will I know it’s almost a hopeless cause, may I subtly urge you to led the Great Starbuck through failure, if not for the readers alone, but also for good ol Nate! The “big story” must bring something to the “little story” that isn’t the tragedy the South felt of it’s cause. Oh, but if this really isn’t you’re thing, thanks for the entertainment this far!

Rebecca Pfeifer

Good morning, after watching the series several times and reading the books. (Much better) I’ve read Sharpies story in chronological order and picked up some mistakes. I’m sure you know about them but I’ve just for my own sanity put it down to Sharpe not remembering the facts correctly! Haha

Anyway, Is Sharpe’s story done? Any plans on a remake or new film? Rewatching Sharpes enemy after reading the book… realised the series wasn’t great compared to the original. I guess it was a budget thing so couldn’t get the numbers.

Anyway, thanks for having this here. It’s nice to be able to write to someone who you admire.

Warmest regards

Mark

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

First I would like to say that I really enjoy all of your writings. I have a question dealing with The Last Kingdom series. I seem to recall in one of the books (not sure which) Uhtred talking about arm-rings and Thors hammers and there importance to warriors. He spoke of taking them off of notable enemies he has fought and vanquished. I swear I read that in one novel he had the hammers of the vikings he's defeated integrated into the bottom links of his chain mail to be imposing to his enemies (just like arms full of arm-rings). Please clarify if I have read this correctly. It has become quite a debate between a friend who has also read the series and I. Thank you so much for your time. SKAL!

Michael

I have a great interest in the Napoleonic period and love researching the various actions and campaigns. I also love reading the historical fiction covering the period.  On the fiction side I have read the Sharpe books and watched the Sharpe Dramas. However, I noticed the next one might not be available until 2023 and it made me think of future Sharpe novels. You probably have had other suggestions sent to you, but I hoped this one might interest you because it involves an allied foreign battalion of German, Italian, French, and Polish deserters, who were given baker rifles. And who better to teach them how to use the rifles than Sharpe? It is a smaller action than the main battles of the Peninsular War and a rare defeat for the allies, due to a variety of reasons, but it involves a very interesting mix of  nationalities and characters,  I wrote a two part article about the action in Miniature Wargames magazine, Issues No 298, February 2008 & Issue No 300, April 2008,  entitled Fuengirola 1810. Some of the characters involved make for some great reading and the action has also been covered by author George Nafziger in Poles and Saxons of the Napoleonic Wars (pages 104-109) and also in an interesting article in The Journal of Military History, Vol 64, No1, January 2000 by Thomas M.Barker.  Sharpe would have a field day with the allied commanders and who knows what he would make of the 'foreign' rifle battalion. Anyway, it is just a suggestion and I look forward to the next Sharpe novel.

John Walsh

As well as eagerly anticipate the release of Sharpe's Command next year, may I be so bold as to ask what you're thinking about regarding a book after that? More Sharpe? Something else?

Michael

Hi Mr Cornwell,

One of my favourite characters in the Sharpe series has always been Frederickson, I Always wanted to know a bit of his background. Like Sharpe he doesn't seem like a typical officer from that time ( a gentleman) was he also raised from the ranks ?

Looking forward to the next Sharpe adventure

Jack