Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have been following your Saxon series from pretty much the first publication of "The Last Kingdom", and I have loved reading history unfold through your very witty and personalised form of writing. However, when are you going to end this story? I was extremely disappointed with your most recent addition "The Pagan Lord", which while maintaining a great deal of the humour of the previous books was seriously lacking in real plot of character development. Why did you publish what is basically a complete repetition of the past three books in the series, but condensed? Why did you not wait until there was more material to fill out the story and drive it to its ultimate conclusion? I feel very much that you have spun this concept out beyond its original proportions and the depth and scope of the writing is suffering as a consequence.

kind regards,

Louise Hemfrey

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

What am I supposed to say to that? That I agree? Well, I don’t. Or did you hope that it would be an epiphany to me? Oh my God, I wrote a ‘complete repetition’ of the last three books!  I don’t agree with that either. I try very hard not to short-change my readers, and the plot of The Pagan Lord had a lot of new material (Uhtred’s first return to Bebbanburg for one).  I suspect you’re tired of my books. That happens. I have favourite writers I read voraciously, but sometimes overdose on them.  I suggest you read someone else, really!

Q

Mr. Cornwell,
We're seeing an increased interest in a more history approachable literature, lately. I'm not talking about Historical Fantasy per se, but something like Historically 'friendly' Fantasy, one writer of this kind of literature being George R. R. Martin. Why do you think this kind of literature is widening it's range of readers?

I've read in your 'Writer Advice' you didn't like the first third of "The Winter King" because you should have made the characters 'busy'. How would you do that, if you don't mind me asking.

Clearly I'm a fan of yours, but I have to thank you for having introduced me to an 'older' author that inspired me to start writing. Forrester is in my bookshelf and in my list of inspirational writers, by your side closely.

Thank you for the attention,

G.G. Leonardo
(Rio de Janeiro - Brazil)

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

I hope because they tell great stories, as George does!  There’s possibly an element of escapism there too? And, of course, readers are fascinated by a created world which, because it belongs in no real time or place, allows them to identify with it more readily. Those are my ideas, anyway!

I wish they’d been busier!  I’ve always felt I spent too much time creating the background world and not enough getting on with the action!

Q

Just finished reading the Pagan Lord. It was an awesome book just like those earlier in the series. My favorite parts were the interactions between Uhtred and his son and all the moments where he tries to teach him how to think in war.

I noticed that there were a lot more references to Rome in this book and was wondering if there are any plans for Uhtred traveling there in the upcoming books? I know Rome at this point in history is not what it was...but perhaps the Vatican?
Dani

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

It’s a possibility – King Alfred visited at least once, and we know other Saxons went there. Rome at this period was fascinating, a place of ruins with ‘wolves in the Forum’, so yes, there’s a chance!

Q

Mr Cornwell,
First I would like to say that I am a huge fan. My entire family loves reading your books. I am from a very small town in Arkansas, but I have traced my family back to Dorset England, where they left in 1634 to come to America aboard the Ark & Dove. My family and I follow the Old Religion, based on the Nine Noble Virtues. Growing up and living in the "Bible Belt" we find it very refreshing to read something that is written from a different point of view.
My question to you is this: Why do you think that Christianity became so widely accepted? Our own religion survived, but has become so wrapped in myth and superstition, it is obvious to me that our ancestors didn't forget the old ways. Growing up in the hills of Arkansas; I was never taught to be humble, or to turn the other cheek. But I was told that we were Christians. Do you think that the old ways were passed down secretly? And then somewhere along the way people forgot that they used to be a religion? They just became the way we were supposed to act? The 'blood fued', the family honor, the respect for nature, the land wights and always standing up for yourself; these are a huge part of the 'hillbilly culture'. But none of these are considered Christian virtues, they are however a big part of what made the Germanic people who they were. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thank you for the hours of entertainment that you have provided, and please keep it up.
Sincerely,
Robbie Ashmore

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

I’m going to be lazy and give you this web-page: http://www.omnivoracious.com/2013/12/the-path-to-christianity-by-bernard-cornwell.html That explains one or two of the reasons why Christianity spread in Europe.  There were other reasons too, I think. The pre-existing pagan religions rarely offered a life after death – the worshippers of Isis evidently had that promise, but we don’t know too much about their beliefs. Christianity did have this fantastic promise that we’d all live happily ever after in heaven (except those of us going the other way), and that seemed to have a great appeal. It was also a very inclusive religion, appealing to women and slaves (a better life hereafter).  But the main route to conversion was the one I describe in the article – that Christianity cleverly targeted the rulers and left it to them to force their subjects into compliance. And yes, I suspect your ‘hillbilly’ culture owes a lot to more ancient folkways, good for you!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell
I am a great fan of your writing. As a Norwegian I must admit that the the Warrior Chronicles are my favourites as they have a link to Scandinavian history. Can ask what is Your next book project, and are you planning on writing another book in the Warrior Chronicles series?
Best regards
Kent Erik Kristiansen

 

Hello! I have been a fan of yours since the first book I read: Excalibur, then read the entire series. Recently I started using audible.com and began the Saxon Chronicles, listened to them all (some twice) and of course most recently The Pagan Lord.
Sorry, however, for all the waiting I cannot in my right mind accept the ending  of Uhtred, so very ambiguous. I suppose I am hoping there will be another book with Uhtred in it, I have heard stories and rumours that you will be writing another book. Is this something we can look forward to? If not...then I will simply hunker down and accept the infinite darkness that Uhtred slipped into. AND to think...no mention of Valhalla other than him gripping his sword tightly! Thank you for the wonderful books you have written.  The Saxon Chronicles should truly be made into a wonderful series or movie.  It is GREAT!
Thank you
Warm Regards,
Diana J

Mr Cornwell,

Pagan Lord is excellent, finished in 2 days. I appreciate you are very busy but please, please, how does it all finish. ?
When is next anticipated ?
Thanks for some great reads.
Neil James

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

I am writing the next book of the Warrior Chronicles now.

Q

I've been revisiting my old friend Richard Sharpe during the recent cold snap and just spent an hour online trying to find out more about Nancy Merrick who took 37 minutes to die when hanged in Madras, as mentioned by that wretched Capt. Torrance in Sharpe's Fortress. Can you shed a bit of light as to why she was hanged? Or is it all made up?

I was introduced to your novels by my mother, who died in 1986, missing out on so many of your more recent novels. My favorites are Sharpe and Uhtred but they all read well. What I enjoy most is that they are just as enjoyable a read the 4th and 5th time around as when I 1st bought them.
Katie McDonald

Submitted January 17, 2014

A

Oh dear, I can’t remember, sorry!

Q

It's been a number of years since you have written a new Richard Sharpe book and I was wondering if you would be doing one for the missing years, between Sharpe's Prey and Sharpe's Rifles of how he got to French and the battle in which Moore died. With a name like mine, I just had to love the Sharpe books, but I have also enjoy all your other books as well. Thank you and please keep writing.
Kevin Sharpe

Submitted January 16, 2014

A

Not sure when the next Sharpe will get written, but I don't plan to go back in time again so the next one is likely to follow Sharpe's Fury.

Q

Hails! I enjoyed the 4 books of the warrior/Saxon chronicles but it's impossible to find the burning land, death of Kings or the Pagan Lord written in french. So do you know if these books are translated in french and editor Michel Lafon will edit them one day? Thanks in advance if you have a little time to answer me.

Bernard Fort from France.

i'm a french reader, i come from Belgium and i love the warrior Chronicles. I bought the first four volumes in French and I look forward to the continuation(suite). A translation of your books is planned?
Thanks
Heyns Xavier

 

Good morning Mr Cornwell,
I am a big fan of your books, i began the reading of the saxon stories, and i like it very much. I am very surprised to see that the last books : The burning land, Death of kings and The pagan lord, are not edited and traduce in french. Is it a choice of your editor, or a problem with your french editor? Are these books will be traduce in french in few time?
I pry you to excuse the poverty of my english expression.
Thank you very much for your future answer, receive all my congratulations for your work especially for the saxon stories.
PE

Submitted January 16, 2014

A

I understand my agent is working on this, but we still do not have a definite date for the French publication of these books.

Q

hallo you,
my husband is a big fan of your books. because we live in germany the question now is - when will be a german translation of the 7th book???? the last we have in germany is "der sterbende könig"......??
with many greetings from germany
mariah

Hello,i got an question about your new book The Pagan Lord. When it will release in germany i cant wait;D for it!!!!
Tobias

Submitted January 16, 2014

A

I believe you will have the German translation of The Pagan Lord in June of this year.  Hope you enjoy it!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell,
I have read the Arthur Warlord chronicles and Alfred Warrior chronicles, I enjoyed these stories so much 4 stars.
I was wondering if there is going to be any more stories about Uhtred?
Or any other stories between Alfred and 1066?
My intentions are to read books in historical date order, my next historical period is 1066 which I am going to read Hereward (1062), What Fates Impose (1066), Hereward 2 (1067), Sworn Sword (1069), The Splintered Kingdom (1070),            The Knights of the Hawks (1071) & Hereward 3 (1071).
Hereward - James Wilde
What Fates Impose - G.K. Holloway
Sworn Sword,The Splintered Kingdom,The Knights of the Hawks - James Aitcheson
Then I will reading your novels during the 100 year wars, unless you have any other suggestions, books of yours I may have missed .
Mark

 

Is a sequel to Pagan Lord due any time soon?
I have really enjoyed the series also the Grail series.
Regards
Rod

Submitted January 16, 2014

A

I am writing the next book of Uhtred's story now.