Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell
I am a massive fan of the Sharpe series, it was partly the reason for me studying history at university. Although the TV production of Sharpe with Sean Bean were great I was wondering if there was a possibility of Sharpe appearing on the big screen so to speak? Certainly your novels are better than JK Rowling's and I long to see a Sharpe novel produced without the budget restraints of the previous series. This may sound fanatical but surely such Sharpe films would serve public interest/knowledge better than the recent Pompeii or Noah films? It is a period of history I feel is sadly neglected in current cinematography. Are there any possible films in the pipeline?
Regards
Thomas Stackhouse

Submitted April 14, 2014

A

Thank you.  No plans for Sharpe on the big screen at the moment.

Q

Dear mr Cornwell,
I am a great fan of your work, especially Saxon Stories. What strikes me the most is the theory you presented: that the very idea of political entity called England was once reduced to a few square miles of swamp guarded by few men loyal to Alfred the Great, who forged that idea. Do you really think that without Alfred there might have been no England? I know that Danes were powerfull but the idea of England as part of Denmark is mind boggling.
Miroslav Subašić

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

I find it extraordinary that all England’s future was condensed to the Somerset levels, but so it was, and if it had not been for Alfred’s victory at Ethandun then history would have been very different! So yes, I think we must give Alfred the credit. He never achieved a united England, but it was his ambition and he imbued his successors with the same ambition. As for England being part of Denmark? Well, that happened! Cnut united the two countries and, for a time, England was a Danish possession (though this is all to happen long after the Uhtred stories).  Danish influence never ran strong in southern England, but it was all pervasive in the north, as witnessed by place names and the extraordinary number of loan words that entered the language – which is why you start your day with eggs instead of yren. It’s arguable that the England which William conquered in 1066 was an Anglo-Danish construct (and remember that William was himself descended from Hrolf, sometimes called Rollo, a Norseman who conquered what is now Normandy in the early 10th Century).

Q

I have a question as an aspiring writer. You wrote a story about one of Sharpe's penultimate adventures first (Sharpe's Eagle). Were you worried at the time about being able to follow up on that with equally interesting stories?

Thank you so much for your wonderful books.

Grace

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

Eagle is quite early in the Peninsular campaign and at the time I had no intention of writing any books about Sharpe outside of that campaign – so no, I wasn’t worried about subsequent books – I think there are ten (at least) which describe the Peninsular actions after Talavera. I certainly had no idea that I’d write about India – I’d never visited and I don’t like writing about places I haven’t seen, so the India books came much later and after a couple of visits. There are really two Sharpe series and I like to think they’re dovetailed together, but really is bodging carpentry. My fault!

Q

Will the Waterloo book be published in the US?
William

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

Yes, I believe the publication date for the US edition is May 2015.

Q

I've read the Grail Quest series and saw in the question and answers that you did not currently have plans for another book in the series. I just wanted to say that I would also like to see more of Thomas's story. I hope you will consider it soon.
I am excited to see that another book in the Saxon stories is due out this fall/next January. I am currently reading that series while waiting for more Thomas.
I really enjoy your writing and am glad I found your books.
Jessica Brainard

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

Did you have the chance to read 1356?

you will find Thomas there!
Q

I absolutely love your books.  I also like to read series books in order but I am having difficulty finding all the Sharpe's books.  How important is it to read each of the Sharpe's books in order, will I miss important information if I read them out of order?
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.
Susan Dill

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

I generally recommend reading the Sharpe books in chronological order (not the order in which they were written!).  You can find the correct chronological listing of the series here:  http://www.bernardcornwell.net/books-by-bernard-cornwell/,

but certainly there's no harm in reading them in any order you choose!

Q

What are you thoughts, or have you ever thought about turning The Saxon Series into a television show, much like Game of Thrones?  I could only imagine it would do as well, if not better than, Game of Thrones, and would captivate the same general audience.

Thanks for your time!
Zach Harbold

Submitted April 11, 2014

A

Thanks!  I would be happy to see it happen; but to be honest, I don't give it much thought.

Q

Hi Bernard!

I've often wondered about the tenuous alliance between Britain and Spain following Napoleon's invasion of the Peninsular. We can all understand why Spain felt utterly outraged at this act of betrayal by a former ally, but certainly British troops ransacking Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo (alongside others perhaps) threatened to end such an unnatural alliance? What made the Spanish people tolerate such behaviour from their new allies? Was it because their hatred for Napoleon came first, or Wellington's lengths at a civilian-friendly policy proved effective enough, or both?
Robert Douglas

Submitted April 10, 2014

A

Both. The hatred for the French was visceral and overcame their distaste for the British, but it was always an uneasy alliance. Spain was (is) a proud country with a distinguished history and it galled them to be dependent on an ancient enemy. Wellington, well aware of how sensitive Spanish feelings were, did his best to alleviate the irritation; thus he banned overt displays of Freemasonry (the Freemasons were violently anti-Catholic) and, as you point out, ensured that his men paid coin for their supplies.  It was never easy. It took the Spanish a long time to swallow their pride and appoint Wellington as the Generalissimo of their forces. In the end it worked, but it’s notable that when Wellington invaded southern France at the end of the war he refused to take Spanish troops across the border (though he took the Portuguese) because they couldn’t be trusted not to take revenge on the French populace. I suspect the alliance was a forced marriage and both sides were relieved when it ended!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Let me begin by saying, that, like you, I fell in love with CS Forester's work then found my way to you.  I've read all of the Sharpe's books and am a particular fan of the Saxon stories. I finished the Pagan Lord and now must wait anxiously while you conger up the remaining adventures of Uhtred.

I have written my first novel and it is historical fiction.  It's set in England around the time of the 3rd Crusade (well trampled ground I know) and is targeted for young adults. I believe it will specifically appeal to boys, who it seems have become an overlooked audience these days. My research into YA historical fiction finds it heavily weighted towards a female audience with romance as the major theme.  I am writing for the young men who will someday enjoy your books, so I have a male protagonist and I'm heavy on battle scenes and light on romance.

Do you have any thoughts about this market niche? Are there agents who would find a book like this appealing?

Thanks so much for any advice and please keep the books coming!

Sincerely,

Wayne Grant

Submitted April 10, 2014

A

I’m sure there are agents who would find it appealing, but I’m so out of touch I don’t really know who they are. I’ve had the same agent forever (and he’s not taking new clients, we all grow old) so I have no need to look beyond him. One way to find an agent is to look at The Bookseller and read the columns that tell of new contracts and seeing if there’s an agent who is handling books aimed at the same audience . . . I fear that’s the best advice I can offer!

 

Q

Thank you for providing your loyal readers with hours of entertainment.  I have thoroughly enjoyed your books and they have often allowed me a very welcome respite while serving from the desert to the bottom of the sea, and everywhere in between.  I have particularly enjoyed your stand alone novels and I think your handling of Francis McLean's psychology and character as a Commander was hugely insightful.  Given that, I wonder whether you have ever considered tackling one of Victoria's small wars and characters such as the oft misrepresented and stereotyped Gough, Napier or Havelock.  Wishing you and yours a very good health and many more prolific years writing.
C. Burns

Submitted April 10, 2014

A

I really can’t explain it, but I have a prejudice about Victorian Britain so I think it’s most unlikely that I’ll write about it. It’s an unreasonable prejudice, but there it is, I just don’t enjoy the period!