any more novels involving Romans in Britain stories on the horizon?
Peter Smedley
No plans for the Romans.
I am eagerly awaiting your next warrior book and will be tapping into my Brit friends to get my hands on a copy in October!
I enjoy reading the comments & questions from other readers, taking extra delight when someone tells you they weren't readers before they encountered your books! Naturally everyone is pestering (nicely) you to write more, either to add to your existing series of books, or to take up a new era in history. Your answers indicate you are working diligently on projects and hint that you hope you have enough time to complete everything you have hope to write, and that led me to wonder about your early years. Were you always compelled to write, and when were you first published? I'm curious to know if, looking back, that these days you are wishing you had written more so you wouldn't so far behind! Having said that, it's obvious you still find joy in researching & writing, and I sincerely hope that remains the case for you. Thank you for filling many hours of my life with wonderful characters, stories and history. I wish you many more years of fruitful endeavors!
Lyn Morris
Oh it does. Yes, I think I always wanted to write, but I also wanted to be a test pilot and that never happened (too blind). Life is full of accidents. I would never have become a writer if I hadn’t met the American blonde and been refused a work permit. So if I’d met, say, a Scottish brunette (dream on) who knows what would have happened? I was first published half a lifetime ago, when I was 35, and no, I don’t regret not starting earlier. A writer needs a certain amount of experience before he or she starts to scribble, and mid thirties seemed about right. But it’s all luck. Remember: Wyrd bið ful āræd!
Dear Mr. Cornwell
Every so often I square off with one of my co-workers on whether or not it is appropriate to read the ending of a book first. This debate has even prompted me to write a refutation paper on the subject for my writing class. As one of your biggest fans, your input on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Do you believe that the ending of a book (or any story) should be read first, or should the book be read from start to finish absent of any spoilers? And, of course, explain your reasoning.
I know you are a busy man, making any input from you all the more valuable.
Your Fan,
David
We write them to be read from start to finish. If we wanted you to read the ending first then we’d begin with the ending. Simple, really. On the other hand, you’re free to read a book any way you like! So there is no rule, but I’d hate to read the ending first. It takes away the joy of the journey.
I am trying to find out about Rothschild/Wellington story you tell in Sharpe's Rifles--is it wholly fictional, simply inspired by Rothschild/waterloo connection? Do we know of actual letters of credit btwn Wellington and Rothschild? Any references you could point to?
Thank you,
Claire Green
I’ll be honest, I can’t remember because I wrote the tale so long ago, but my (bad) memory tells me the story was true. But a reference, sorry, lost in the mists of time.
Dear Mr Cornwell,
First of all thank you for the incalculable reading pleasure that your novels have provided over the years. On this fine St Patrick's day I was wondering if you could possibly give some inclination as to what the Norns may have in store for Uhtred's loyal friend and brother in arms Finan the Agile, one of my personal favourite characters from all your works.
Is it possible that we may see a voyage to Ireland to take belated revenge on those who enslaved him all those years ago? I was also wondering what became of his wife and children who were briefly mentioned earlier in the series. Allowing for the passing of time his children must be fully grown by now if they still live.Best wishes,
Tom
I wonder too! In fact I keep planning a voyage back to Ireland, but somehow it never happens (it was supposed to happen in the book I’m writing now, but they get no farther than Wales!) I’ll keep trying, and thank you!
Dear Mr Cornwell,
A cousin of mine is doing research into our family genealogy and has traced back on one of my Grandmother's, whose maiden name was Sharpe and claims that an antecedent, whose name was Sharpe, was in the Army and The Rifles and on his discharge wrote his memoirs. She is claiming that this distant relative and his memoirs was the inspiration for the Sharpe books. She is currently refusing to put any flesh on the bones of this hypothesis for us. As I am just embarking on the Sharpe series (I have read everything else) and came here for the reading order I was prompted to ask the question. Is she right?
I have thoroughly enjoyed everything that I have read and I think most especially the Saxon Stories and offer my heartfelt thanks for many hours of entertainment and the resurrection of my interest in history.
Yours aye,
Dave Green
Sorry! I am not aware of your Grandmother's relative. Sharpe comes wholly from my imagination.
Dear Bernard.
I can't tell you , how very much I enjoy ALL, your books. In fact, I am forever looking up to see if there is anything new, or, I have missed one.However, my absolute favorite books,are about Richard Sharpe, and his 'merry' men..I have re-read all of his 'tales', over, and over again.
I remember hearing from somewhere, a few years ago now, that you may..and I say may, start enough 'update', story, or story's, on what happened to him after the end of the last series..
Dare I hope for such a pleasure?I now live here, in New York, coming from London/Bedford, UK, in 1981.. I do miss the good ole English pub, and going 'nuts', for my team Crystal Palace FC..
I wish you success for ever Bernard... Take care..
Alan.
There may be another Sharpe book or two in the future.
Hi Bernard,
I read my first Sharpe over 20 years ago and have read everything you have done since with relish. From Gallows Thief to Stonehenge and all points in between.
I am in the middle now of re-reading Hornblower (just up to The Happy Return) and I wanted to ask if Forester was an influence on your work.
He too dips in and out of different historical periods and seems to be a writer with varied interests.
Michael Davidson
I have quite a fondness for C. S. Forester. I read Hornblower when I was a kid - ten? Eleven? Long time ago, anyway! and the inspiration for the Sharpe series came from that series.
Thank you for all your excellent series.
What is the translation of the phrase that ends The Pagan Lord?
Seamus Beattie
It comes from an Old English poem, 'The Wanderer', which is very beautiful and rather sad, and is the thoughts of an exile wandering the earth. In the original the phrase would have sounded something like 'wyrd bith ful arade' which is English, believe it or not, and is usually translated as 'fate is relentless', but I preferred inexorable. If you can find a copy then you'll find the quote at line 5.
what happened to sergeant obadiah Hakeswill when he was put in with the tigers?
regards
quinnton Leon Wormald
He couldn't be eaten! Says so in the scriptures!