Your Questions

Hello there Bernard,

I have been a reader of your books for years now, first following Sharpe through Spain (you skipped my birth town San Sebastian, though, where the redcoats didn't behave so kindly after they won and would have only be fear to show their human nature and how they reacted after suffering so much to take the place, but I am digressing, sorry, didn't write to talk about Sharpe) and afterwards following the shield-walls. I had not read your the Arthur Books because that story has been told so many times in so many similar ways that I think many people of my generation has been oversaturated.

Still, I got into this web and I read it was your favorite work, so I went to Amazon and got them.

There are many things I have enjoyed in the reading, as usual, and things I have enjoyed less, as usual, I cannot but congratulate and thank you overall once again, but there are two things I would like to comment on, since this is a story you particularly care for.

This in not a trilogy. This is one single story I understand has been divided for commercial purposes only. I guess that is a free choice for both the writer and the editorial, but I think it is somehow a cheat. You cannot read just one part, you cannot alter the order. It is just a rouse to charge three times for one story. It is no doubt legal, but I don't think it is honest.

Nevertheless, knowing that beforehand I freely chose to buy the three books and found what I consider a mayor problem or concession in the quality of the story which is only at the service of this commercial division of the book. You repeat yourself a lot, explaining certain things that take place in previous parts to keep in the loop those people that are going to wait years before reading the succeeding ones. This is not only unnecessary for those of us who read the story straight away, it is annoying. We are not dumb, we remember. We do not need to be reminded of obvious important facts just because they happened in a previous part. Least of all, we don't need to be reminded twice, both in the second and in the third parts, of things that happen in the first.

I understand and can even share the idea of publishing one story in installments for those fans who cannot wait till the whole tale is written (though I am not one of them) and can understand those recapitulations, if there is a year or more between the publication of the parts, but after the whole story is published, it should have been rearranged in a single book and all those unneeded repetitions should be erased. Moreover if you have a special feeling to this story in particular.

Well, that is about it. Thank you for your patience and for your books.

Have a nice day,

Alberto Cobos
Eibar, Basque Country
Spain

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I and, it seems, rather a lot of others are intrigued by the stone you mentioned was in "Thunresleam" in the Saxon Chronicles books. I was quite keen to go take a look, but didn't want to get all the way there to find it was an invention! I searched and found that a whole bunch of people were discussing a stone that MIGHT be the one you're talking about, but nobody's quite sure!

Could you provide a conclusive ye or nay as to the stones existence and, if it does exist, tell us a bit more about what to look for?

Thanks very much!
Luke Nyland

So I started recently reading your books, I like much your style of narrate the stories of different angles and then merge them. I have already read Azincourt(L'enfer should die!), The Fort(Now I hate Revere), and I'm currently reading 1356. So, I noticed all your books are a narrative on English side of history. Of course, you're british. But what about a book in reverse? On French side of history? Challenge Accepted?

From your newest brazilian fan,

Divilly.

Dear Bernard,
I have just finished Gallows thief and can honestly say I was enthralled throughout the book. The characters were fantastic and I could not help but think there would be twist in the tale and you did not disappoint. As I read the Fort not so long ago I was wondering if you were planning to do any more one off books in the none to distant future There are so many stories in history that are hard to get hold of a novel of that event, coming from Norwich I would love to see a novel on Ketts rebellion but they seem to be few and far between. Keep up the excellent work.
Terry Coulton

Dear Bernard,
I'm a big fan of your books and have read many of them with great pleasure. Recently read The Pagan Lord - stunning. I'm now reading Simon Scarrow's newest Roman book Blood Crows. As a writer of historical fiction myself, I still can't put a finger on that elusive thing that some writers have that makes the reader feel forced to read on and on without wanting to put the book down. There is something about your writing compared to Scarrow or Iggulden which is so much more compelling and I have no understanding why that is. Is it voice? Is it character development? Can't put a finger on it. Whatever it is I really could do with a bit of it myself!

Best wishes to you and hope you continue the Bebbanburg chronicles. I for one, will 100% buy them.
Fred Nath

I seem to remember you making a television series revisiting places from the Sharpe novels. Do you know if that is available on DVD?  Tried searching but have no idea what it was called. I would like to visit some of the battle sites. I really like the historical notes at the end of the Sharpe novels.
Thank you for time and fantastic books,
Rob Humphris

Dear Bernard
I have just finished the latest book by Adrian Goldsworthy (Napoleonic war ) and the new book kean's company by Iain Gale.Both are very good but all they made me do was yearn for more Richard Sharpe. I have read all your comment regarding your current project on Waterloo and possible future plans but could you give all your Sharpe fans hope and tell us approximately when you plan to fit the next Sharpe novel into your busy schedule?
An avid fan.
Regards
Michael Attias

 

Will you be writing any more Sharpe books? Is there any chance  the Sharpe television series may be reprised?
Love your work and have read almost all of your books. looking forward to The Pagan Lord.
Thanks for all the enjoyable reading.
Richard

Mr. Cornwell,

I loved your series on King Arthur.  Have you ever thought of doing something similar with the legend of Robin Hood?  I've read a sampling of "hood fiction," and, while enjoyable, I'm left wanting.  I need a Cornwell book (or three) on the subject to satisfy :-).

Cheers,
Dan

Mr Cornwell

Firstly thank you for all your books, although Sharpe is obviously the best known I personally enjoy the Warrior Chronicles / Arthur books the best.
I may be behind the times and missed or not read the correct information, however is there any plans / chance that either of these series would follow in Sharpe's footsteps and be made into films?
Regards
Russell

Read the Pagan Lord this weekend. Utterly brilliant - although I'd expect nothing less. Probably my favourite of the series so far, can't wait for the next one. Thank you!

I fear my dreams of closure on the Starbuck series are nowt but a forlorn hope now... but as a storyteller, does it not bother you that you left one of your (best) stories unfinished? Do you perhaps not enjoy the character/history of Starbuck as much as the Anglo stories? Or is it hard to find the motivation to pick up where you left off after such a long gap?
Phil Dean