Your Questions

Q

How can we have your some books with translated Turkish edition in Turkey ? Best regards. Kuruoglu

Submitted January 13, 2012

A

Some of my books have been translated in Turkey, but maybe not for a few years? I'll see what I can find out - thanks!

Q

I'M really a fan of your Sharpe's Novels and have read the Grail Quest to. But Sharpe is my favorite. I'm not quite happy with all of the Sharpe movies cause some of them have nearly nothing to do with your books. But why I write to you is one point I still wonder about: in Sharpe's Sword Sharpe is badly shot in the stomach. What happened to the bullet? In the novel is only said that it was not removed but the wound closed. Was it removed after Sharpe was taken from the Deathroom?

And now another question - I'm just curious. What happened to Jane, Sharpe's wife? I hope that the Seachest full of coins that Sharpe and Harper got from Cochrane in Devil made Sharpe rich again. Thank you for Sharpe and the Novels.

Kerstin Krüll

Submitted January 13, 2012

A

Wow, I don't remember. I do remember that a combat-experienced doctor 'designed' the wound for me and described the possible recovery. I have a suspicion the ball is still inside him.

Jane? I suspect she was shunned by respectable society; on the whole I think her subsequent life was miserable, poor thing.

Q

Hello Mr.Cornwell, I am in the middle of reading the Saxon series and am really enjoying them. I was wondering how many more books are you going to write with the series. Was Death of kings the last?

James Wixwat

I have really enjoyed reading your Saxon series about Uhtred and was wondering if there would be further adventures?

Evelyn Jupe

hi I live in the UK and first read your books while serving in Afghanistan; the saxon stories and have enjoyed reading them. I have just finished the death of kings. Is there another one to come if so when? I'm starting the arthur stories now. Thanks for the nites of reading while I was in Afghanistan, it made the tour go more quickly. Thanks again - look forward to more reads. Paul Stockton

Submitted January 13, 2012

A

There will be more to Uhtred's tale, although not this year. Not sure yet how many books will be in the series - at least a few more!

Thank you for your service in Afghanistan Paul!

Q

Dear Bernard You have said your next book will be about Poitiers but I wondered if you had ever considered Verneuill which was called the 2nd Agincourt and broke the back of the Franco/Scottish alliance for the rest of the Hundred years war.

Also I have to ask as you have written 2 books on the American Revolution and you have done the research so thought you might know, I was curious why is Tarleton so hated in the US. No other British commander in the AR is so hated as he is whether its the phrase Tarletons quarter (but he did take prisoners though)or films (the Patriot) in which he shoots little children and burns people in churches and even today on history message forums you have people saying he was a war criminal etc yet reading about him he seems simply just a Sharpe like figure who liked a fight nothing more yet he is seen as basically a Nazi with a British accent why is that as no other British commander is that hated. Yours sincerely Geraint

P.S If your looking for a good read can I recommend Death or Victory by Dan Snow on the 1759 siege of Quebec for fact or for fiction Lion of Macedon by David Gemmell on the life Greek general Parmenion.

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

I have considered it . . . . even visited the battle-site . . . and yes, it's an extraordinary battle so it's possible that one day I'll decide to write about it!

I think the Americans hate him because he's too like them! They want their British opponents to be hidebound, pompous and arrogant, and Tarleton was certainly arrogant, but he was also fiery, impulsive, brave and (on the whole) effective - very effective. The Patriot is just rubbish, but he made a convenient villain. The revolution is largely legend now, and populated by stereotypes, and Tarleton simply doesn't fit the mould.

Q

At times in your Saxon Stories you mention Uhtred as wearing Serpent Breath on his back to achieve a faster draw, however it is actually impossible to draw a large sword from across the back, as demonstrated by this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IocQ_DZVAU0&feature=relmfu. Joe

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

He's using a Katana, and I don't know how that affects it (never having drawn one) - the Spanish had a fashion for wearing swords on their backs in the eighteenth century, so it can't have been a hopeless proposition! Not as useful as being at the waist, I agree. I think Uhtred only wore it there when he was encumbered by too much other gear!

Q

Dear Bernard, I have two quite contrasting questions. Firstly, from an historical writer's perspective, when you've decided that a particular period and/or place(s) appeals to you, do you seek out as much information on that period as you can or do you try to seek out the key source of information for that time and work from there (i.e. the Saxon Chronicles for the Uhtred stories)? I'm often overwhelmed by the amount of information readily available and wonder what your strategy is in order to get right to the heart of the detail relevant to your future story without being bogged down by all the rest.

Secondly, as a fellow (expat) Englishman living for quite some time away from the 'motherland', I'm extremely interested in how you've dealt with living overseas as an English writer, and one who is obviously passionate about British history? From a personal point of view, how have you managed the distance / disconnect from England over time, given your focus on England in so much of your work? From a writing perspective, have you felt disadvantaged not being in the UK on a full-time basis to do the research, soak up the environment, and so on? I've been away 9 years now and wonder whether I'm best placed 'watching from afar' or whether it would pay to be located 'in amongst it all'. I really am quite keen to learn more about this second point, particularly your experiences, whether you have opted for British publishers or US-based ones (ditto for agents), and whether you've found yourself to be quite happy writing from a distance away. I'd be more than happy to talk over email if easier than through this website. Do keep up the good work. I enjoy your writing immensely - long may it continue. Kind regards, Russell

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

I've been reading history since I was a child, and all that reading contributes to what I do. However - when thinking about a new book I'll spend some months reading in a very concentrated way, though how long and how much depends on the book. As for facts versus story - my job is to tell a story. I'm not an historian. If you want to know what happened in The Peninsular War then read Professor Charles Esdaile's wonderful history, but my job (far more than his) is to entertain you. I do try and stick as closely as possible to the history, but where changing it would make for a better story, I change it; but, very important, I confessed my sins in the Historical Note.

Oh I'm totally happy writing at a distance, as were those most English of writers C.S. Forester (California) and P.G. Wodehouse (Long Island)! Distance might lend enchantment (which is the largest risk of exile). I don't feel at any disadvantage because I spent the first half of my life in England (or Ireland) and British dialogue, manners and history is etched into me! There might be a disadvantage if I was writing contemporary novels - things change at a great rate and I'm sure mistakes would creep in (I read a book recently which had US style fire hydrants in London's streets, that's the kind of error I mean), but history? That really doesn't depend on geography. My primary publisher and agent are in England, but that's really an accident - though a happy one because the books are so Anglo-based. Exile wasn't really a choice! Unless rejecting the blonde was a choice, and it didn't seem so at the time, nor does it 33 years later!

Q

Dear Bernard, To begin can i express how much of a fan(sorry couldn't think of a better word) of your writing i am. Specifically the Sharpe and Starbuck series. I have not yet found my round to your more "mythological" based books but hope to in due course. I presume that you are often asked if you are going to add to either of the Sharpe or Starbuck books and i have read about your reluctance to write more about starbuck because of replication (for want of a better word) of Sharpe. I would like to ask if you have plans or if there are any plans for a "Sharpe Origins" book. Young scamp on the streets of London trying to stay alive kind-of-thing. I dont think it fits with the current Sharpe books, but it might be an interesting story.

I would also like to ask if you would ever address more recent events such as "The charge of the light brigade", from which we obviously have the wonderful poem by Tennyson but I'm not such if we have any real modern analysis/popular knowledge of the event. That or "Zulu" Anyways Thank you for the years of joy that i have had and will have reading and re-reading your tombs. You both inspire to write and to think. Yours Graham Todd

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

I really don't want to take him back in time again - it throws up far too many problems of continuity, but I am tempted to deal with his early years in a series of short stories - and that might well happen.

For some reason I just can't get interested in Victorian campaigns . . . I don't know why. I visited the field of Balaclava once and marvelled at what the Light Brigade did, but it left with me no desire to write about it. Sorry!

Q

Hello Bernard, I hope you enjoyed the new year celebrations and I am looking forward to reading what you produce in 2012. However, my girlfriend Helen and I would like to know if you have any plans to visit the UK (especially the north of England) during the course of this year? James Moss

James Moss

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

I imagine I will be in the UK in 2012- keep an eye on the Diary page of this website!

Q

I was very pleasantly surprised you answered my question (kind of). I know you are busy - but just wondering if have had a chance to read a novel called "Shantaram," and what you think of it. Thanks again for your own writing and novels! Jay Sheth

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

Sorry - haven't read it and, worse, this is the first I've heard of it. I'll find out more.

Q

Hi. Love your work. I've read heaps of your stuff and I will re-read all the Sharpe novels in chronological order as soon as I've finished my Patrick O'Brian's. Have you ever considered writing about the civil war, the wars of the roses or even some conflict more contemporary, e.g. the Spanish Civil War? I think that would be fascinating!

Ali Rae

Submitted January 10, 2012

A

I've considered many things, but can't possibly get to them all!