Your Questions

Dear Sir.

2 People whom I would have considered to be complete opposites have something in common that surprised me.

Some years ago Noel Gallagher (the main songwriter for Brit-Pop band Oasis) was on a chat show.  The conversation went something along the lines of.....

(Jonathan Ross) "You've had a fantastic career and obviously your  best work is What's The Story Morning Glory"

(Noel Gallagher) "NO! Definitely Maybe, is my best work, What's the Story Morning Glory, pays the bills!"

Then (here's why I say complete opposites) Mel Brooks in his commentary for Blazing Saddles said "30 years on even though I consider myself to have done much better pictures, through cinema, rentals and purchases, this film still pays the bills".

Now the reason I was initially surprised is because I would say those 2 pieces of work are probably the ones that most fans associate with the 2 creators/artists.  As a creative genius yourself, can you actually relate to what those 2 gents say?

And if so, how would you measure what you consider to be your best work?  Is it possible for somebody like yourself, who has done so much, to actually say?  "Yes that was the very best I've ever done".

Forgive me because before I heard the 2 people I mentioned above say it, it had never occurred to me that you don't necessarily  say "it made me the most money therefore that is the best I've produced.

I'd imagine it's difficult, if not impossible?  I know from my point of view speaking as somebody who's had the good fortune to purchase Sharpe on numerous occasions for myself, my family and friends, I can read for example Sharpe's Gold, decide this is the best one in the series and then get totally bowled over by the next one in chronological order and decide that is the best (and so on as i continue reading).  So as somebody who's done so much more I wouldn't even dream of asking you to give one piece and say "that's my best".

Lee

Hi.

Thank you for the best set of books ever .

I do and yet should I not adore the character of Ultred.

There is just something about this man that I would like to "know" in real life, Now that is scary.

But Thank you for bringing him into our reading lives.

 

My question. is

Will you ever do any writing with just  A warrior Queen or Lady Warrior in.?

I feel its the one thing that is now missing.

You may have written one already, but Ive not found one.

Can you let me know if there is one. Or if you have contemplated writing a soul Warrior female book.?

 

Other thing is. Please tell me this is not the last Uhtred book?

Please No!

Looking forward to receiving mine next week.

You are one amazing Author.

Regards

 

Gwyn Penny[Mrs]

G'day Bernard.

Is Sharpe's father Sydney Carton from the Tale of Two Cities?

LOVED the excerpt from The Empty Throne.

Chris

Dear Bernard Cornwell,

I can honestly say that until a few years ago I never picked up a novel to read for my own pleasure.  I've done a lot of reading in college and graduate school, but never for my own pleasure.  However, when I got married 6 years ago, my wife got me into books on tape, and I quickly learned to love those audio adventures.  A few years ago we were about to leave on a long car trip, so we stopped at our local library to pick up a book on tape.  I ran in quick, grabbed a book on tape that looked mildly interesting, and jumped back in the car.  The audio book I grabbed was "The Last Kingdom."  It was one of the best decisions I ever made.  I was immediately drawn in, and we quickly worked through the entire series on audio book.  When we were done, I decided to give the Sharpe series a try.  I loved it even more.  We went through the first couple of books on audio tape, but then to my horror I could not find Sharpes Fortess anywhere on audio tape.  But I had to continue the series, so I bit the bullet and started reading it in print.  To my surprise, reading it was even more enjoyable.  It was quicker, and I could do it much more often.  I have now finished reading the Sharpe Series (which was a sad day) and am on the second book in the Starbuck Chronicles.

I am a Lutheran pastor, and one of the things that really interest me about your books is the religious and Christian figures: monks, priests, pastors, preachers (my favorite is Father Pyrlig).  Is there a particular reason on your part for having these religious figures?  Do you feel it’s an important part of history, or is it something you take special interest in?

I’m excited for the many adventures to come.  Keep writing or soon I’ll have nothing left to read.

 

Peter Rimmereid

Wisconsin, USA

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am perplexed by the way tenses change in your Waterloo book and wonder what you were trying to achieve.  What should I make of a sentence (p. 218) that reads 'The Duke knew the Prussians were coming, he would never have offered battle otherwise, but as his army is worn down  and the fighting goes on, he knows he needs ...' ?  I find the need to supply corrections so stop the flipping from past to present a blight in what is otherwise a very interesting book.

 

Paul

Hello!

Love the Uthred books! May I although have a saying about the content?

In the book "the pagan lord" the symbol of th mercian flag is described to show a white horse symbol. But that is the Kentish flag. Mercia has a double headed eagle. This was later to become an early Iluminati symbol.

Best regards

Bertil Wickman

Hi, I pre-ordered the empty throne and completed it as soon as I got it and I was wondering or rather hoping to find out if there will be a book nine and if you have started writing it or if it is finished and when it may be released in the UK?

 

Kind Regards

Matthew Barnett

I'd like to thank you for the talk at Apsley House, and signing my book and ticket,1 question I did not get to ask was.

What inspired you to write about the Napoleonic wars and Sharpe ? All your stories have given me a great insight into the history of this period,and I'd like to thank you for that.

Regards

Eric Brierley

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I like to let you know how much I enjoy your books, especially the Saxon Stories.

Not all your books are translated in Dutch so I started to read them in English. I manage quite well and I'm happy with that.

I take the liberty to ask you one question: what is the difference between Norsemen and Danes, mentioned often in 'The empty throne?'

Thanks again for writing these great books and best regards from Amsterdam.

Gerard Witte

Hello !

I have read Arthur story and the first four of Saxon Chronicles and the three first Grail Quest in French. I loved all of them and I wanted to read the followers, but there are no translations in French. So I read the others in English, though it was a little difficult at the beginning, (thanks to Reverso !) I would like to know if it's your own choice to refuse french translations or if it's french editor's (stupid) décision ?

With your books, I discovered History of Old England and I like it. I read many historic books, about France of course but other countries too, and I am very interested by knowing english point of view. Our history is very close.

Besides, thank you for your respect to french characters.

I have read The Empty Throne the last two days and I wait the next !

Thank you for many hours of pleasure !

Emmanuelle Léger