Your Questions

Hi Bernard, A quick question if I may, about how you give your text that final polish (to get the flow just so, the dialogue completely natural etc etc). I have an image of you striding up and down your office, sheets to hand, reading aloud. Is this the case or do you simply read from the computer screen and change/rearrange a few sentences/words here and there. Read again and change a couple more things. Just curious as to how you actually do it? Regards Willie

Have just finished The Fort. As with all of your books I read the Historical Note first. Why did Penobscot ring such a bell with me. It took ten seconds when I realised that the fiancee later husband of Major Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan MASH 4077 was Leut Col Donald Penobscott (extra "T"- legal reasons? or is Penobscott a known surname) MASH was a Korean War comedy/drama written in the late 80's but everyone knew it was really about the Vietnam War. To quote "we were literally in Korea but figuratively in Vietnam" (The Complete Book of M*A*S*H) As Vietnam was not one of America's finest hours did the writers of which there were many decide to have another dig at American failures ?. At least we can perhaps be assured that Hollywood would not dream of making a film or TV drama about Ft George. They are quite adept at altering history e.g. U531 and The Patriot which so incensed Prof Richard Holmes that he made a programme about the American War of Independence.

Keith Robjent

Dear Mr Cornwell Another Sharpe Brevet question which, you're probably sick of them now. Sharpe's Regimental rank towards the end of the series was Captain and he was an Army Major by account of his brevetting by the Prince Regent. My question is: Why did Sharpe never become a Major in the S. Essex? He achieved his Regimental Captaincy (following his Lt->Capt->Lt Gazetting debacle) in Company by process of dead men's shoes. He could have achieved the rank of Major in the same way, or failing that bought the commission as he was a rich man by this point. Regards Richard

Dear Bernard I've been a long time Sharpe Fan, so firstly I have to heap more congratulations on you. My mark of a good book is whether I can read it again - and I've read the whole Sharpe series 3 tines ! I'm confused on one issue though. Is there not a book which shows Ensign Sharpe's introduction to the rifle and his promotion to Lieutenant ? This would appear to be a missing book in the series between Sharpe's Trafalgar and prey. Warm Regards mark

Thank you for writing great novels. Your imagination is exquisite. The adversity or confrontations that your characters run into seems terrifying. Do you draw from your own personal experience, such as bar fights or school yard brawls? I ask because I relate your characters to my rugby and football team mates, some are ruthless some fear a fight but can still perform well in a match. Do you crave for the chance to go viking, or keep those fantasies in mind for your novels? KK

One of the reasons I enjoyed the Sharpe books was the fact that Sgt. Harper enjoyed birds so much and they were described so appropriately (e.g., proper habitat and actions), and it was so sad when he ceased his birdwatching. Was there any particular reason why this change in character happened?

Doris Falkenheiner

Thanks for the hours of enjoyment, and at such a reasonable cost! in particular your stories based in the "Dark ages" do hold my attention, and Azincourt has been entered on my, very limited, "to read again" list. Can`t say Sharp is my cup of tea, but if I`m honest a cup of tea is also not my cup of tea, if you get my drift. Ray Bryant had Warriors of the Dragon Gold published in 1987 with regular reprints, no point in mentioning the storyline you will either know it or not. If you are familiar with "Warriors of the Dragon Gold" I wonder if you had any information about Ray Bryant himself? He did have a first novel published in 1966 (just managed to find a copy)but nothing else as far as I know. When first reading Warriors of the Dragon Gold in 1987, I expected to find a follow up but no such luck, Internet searches for info. re. Ray Bryant produce a surprising total lack of information which has of course, increased my curiosity. I have contacted the current publisher and The Historical Novel Society but neither could provide illumination. This message to you is a long shot, but if I don`t ask....... and it does seems a shame that the author of such a notable story should go unrecognised. It`s starting to become a bit of a quest, I suppose the voices in my head will arrive sooner or later, now`t as queer as folk, eh! t is as if Ray Bryant without success

Mike Thompson

Hi Mr Cornwell firstly I'd just like to say Thank You for writing such wonderful stories :-) I'm glad my birthday's in September as it co-insides with the release of The Death of Kings so guess what i want for my birthday :-) would there be a possibility of a British signing tour it would be a pleasure to meet you & certainly make my birthday a very memorable occasion Best Wishes Helen

Dear Bernard, I am just finishing a re-read of your wonderful Saxon stories and am glad to see Uhtred `rides again' [Death of Kings] in time for Father Christmas to fill my stocking ! I sincerely hope this is not the last in the series. Do you ever visit the UK and perform book signings Bernard ? Many thanks. Paul. Liverpool, UK

Dear mr cornwell. Thank you for your response to my previous question. I was wondering if you plan to come over to the uk to do any book signings when death of kings is released.

David Fox

Hi Bernard I am a huge fan of your books and have read most of them, my favourite being the Arthur novels which have been read and re read a number of times. Azincourt is also a fantastic novel, you have a great ability to her round the romanticism of knights in battle and bring out the realistic harshness of what it must have really been like. I am looking forward immensely to the next Saxon book and wanted to know if your planning to visit England once it is launched to give talks and signings as. Many thanks, Simon

hey, my name is Gavyn, I'm 17 and from south wales :) this is just a little thank you :) i have just finished reading the Winter King and Enemy of God, i have just the 3rd book waiting for me on my book shelf, and i cant wait to read it but i thought that i would take the time to send you an email. I love those books, i'm getting a bit to into them that i'm just sitting on my bed all day and reading them, i love the fact that there not like the normal Arthurian tales, your stories make them sound a lot more believable, as if your telling what actually happened in them times. your books has inspired me to go out and look at some of these druid sites that still remain and to go to Angulsy. also did you go to any of these places you mentioned in your books as research ? thanks again i look forward to reading the third book Gavyn x

Hi Bernard, I think it is somewhere in Sharpe's Siege, where Fredrickson is struck by the resemblance between Sharpe and Captain Killick, the American privateer. Is this a pointer to Sharpe's parentage? Regards Willie

Regarding the "Sharpe's Father riddle", is the answer to the riddle "American"? It's difficult to explain how I came up with this answer, so I thought I'd just ask first whether or not I'm correct. Thanks.

Richard