Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I read Sharpe's Story last week. You said, that they were publishing the Sharpe books. Do you know if they were selling a lot of books or if the Frenchies didn't like Napoleons worst enemy. Thanks Christian

Hello I'd like to know when your lastest books "Burning Land" and "The Fort" will be translated in french. A french fan who is in wait !!!! Thank's for all. Arnaud Valeix

J'adore vos livres mais ils ne sont malheureusement pas tous disponible en français! Quand paraîtra "le fort" en version française? Y a t-il un espoir de voir les "starbuck chronicles" édités en français? Bien à vous, Ronald VD.

A

A number of my books are published in French translation - including some Sharpe books. I don't know the French publishers plan, but I do believe they will continue to publish more! (Although I believe Starbuck and The Fort are not on the list...)


Q

Hello Bernard, I've read quite a lot of your books now and I'm currently really enjoying "The Fort" and I sincerely hope you write more titles based on the AWI period. Like many others, I'd really like to see the next chapter in Starbuck's life in print, but I was just wondering if you've ever thought of a book or a series set during the Crimean War? I'm sure they'd be fantastic! Another interesting period I'd love to see you write about is the New Zealand Wars (a long shot, I'm sure). I'm sure you're a very busy man, but please keep up the excellent work. Thanks, Jamie

A

Well, the Crimean War just doesn't hold much appeal for me, sorry! New Zealand? I think it should be written by someone with a far greater knowledge of NZ. I have visited NZ twice, and like most people fell in love with the place, but two visits aren't enough to make me familiar with the background.


Q

Hi Bernard, As regards to the Starbuck Chronicles, you've stopped at book 4 'The Bloody Ground' and haven't written another instalment for some time. I really enjoyed Sharpe's adventures, and the epic Warlord Chronicles - but it would be nice to see a 'Book 5' of Starbuck some day. This is perhaps because, as a Briton, it's a case of familiarity breeds contempt (eventually) and delight in the histories of other cultures, other distant wars. I'm just wondering what the reason is: to do with lack of time owing to your other projects, whether you've grown disinterested in the series, or even that the Confederacy - what we all know, really! - loses the conflict thus placing Starbuck in a difficult position by 1865. Or are you thinking about ending taking Starbuck beyond US borders...? P.S I've written an amateur gamebook for the Fighting Fantasy Website. P.P.S Not sure if I'm descended Archibald the Wrathful of Scotland - in case you're wondering!

Robert Douglas

A

Oh, I think it's involvement with other projects! But I do hope to return to Starbuck one of these days.


Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I currently finished to read the Burning land and all Saxon Stories, then, I have a question... Uhtred will get recover Bebbanburg Castle?? Because he say during all history that he will get... But, in one of the books, sword song or burning land, he said: "And in that moment I realized that I would never see Bebbanburg".

Lucas Burgie

A

Don't tell anyone, but I think he will recover Bebbanburg. Maybe.


Q

Mr. Cornwell After reading many of your books I took up the Arthur Books. The first thing i noticed was that you maintain the same detail level you did with the Sharpe series, or Redcoat. How was it possible? And how much of the Arthur Books is fictional and how much of it is real? I understand it is not a short answer question, but yet i would like to have an idea of how much of Derfel's world is real, Yours sincerely Joao Aguiar

A

I'd like to think that much of Derfel's world is 'real' in the sense that early sixth century Britain was brutal, riven by civil war and religious strife, and, by our standards, horribly primitive. I guess I'm saying I hope the background is right, but that said we really do know almost nothing about the characters of the period and the events they lived through. About the only fact that historians accept is that there was a battle of Mount Badon and that it was won by the native Britons against the invading Saxons, but no one knows where it took place or who the leader was on the British side. It's very unfashionable to talk about the 'dark ages', but I think that term does apply to the Arthurian period, not because they were unenlightened, but because the record is so thin. We just don't know. We can make assumptions, we can expand on the few thin clues, but most of it is guesswork - historians don't even agree whether there was a man we call Arthur, let alone the rest of them. So what I tried to do was take the legends and put them back into a realistic setting, but I confess the magic kept leaking into the story whether I wanted it or not!


Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell. I am Canadian, and have noticed that there is a space in time in which Sharpe could be involved in the inception of the War of 1812, and even possibly be a part of the burning of Washington, DC. Has he ever traveled to North America? I would really like to know if you are planning to publish a Sharpe novel which could include this. Thanks. Gallows Thief was the first of your books I read, and is the one that I recommend others begin with. Funny what gets you started on something, eh? Jud Ranger

A

For reasons described in Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe never will fight in the USA.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, my favourite Sharpe story of all is Sharpe's Ransom - I was wondering if it would be possible for a future Sharpe novel to explore more of his life in peacetime France?

A. Williams

A

Maybe another short story? I'm not sure I see a full length novel in that setting . . . but who knows?


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thanks as ever for putting your great talent on paper and letting the world share it. I would like to ask you if you've read "Sir Nigel" by Conan-Doyle? Apart from many of your works it is my favourite book of all. The medieval period and the setting is a subject close to my heart. Permit me to say in observation that your main characters tend to be the common man whereas "Sir Nigel" is born into nobility, but there are parallels such as the settings, learned details and dark humour. Also the basing of a great story set around known facts and dates. I love the way your characters tend to be earthier and easier for us to relate to. Conan-Doyle's novel is a roistering good yarn full of courtly speech and high values somewhat camouflaging the barbaric acts committed in the name of God, King and country. I'm not writing to ask you to perhaps write something along the same lines, but I am fascinated by "Combat des Trente". A moment in time that didn't decide the path of a nation or change the course of history but won fame and honour for those that fought in it. It is a shame to my mind that you've not squeezed it in at some point. Sir Robert Knolles was there and I've read mention of him in your books. You are a great writer and I rank Sir Arthur no higher. I grew up literally opposite Pevensey castle a massive fortalice steeped in history and haunted by lives come and gone. To stand within the Roman walls on mid-summer eve is truly an awe inspiring experience. It sounds a bit odd but then I was living next door! Anyway enough of my twaddle and thank you again for years of enjoyment not to mention excitement and I for one wouldn't be surprised to hear of a knighthood to go with your O.B.E. May your pen never run dry!

Ben Pocock

A

I'm constantly being made to feel guilty (deservedly so) because the only books I've read by Conan Doyle are his Sherlock Holmes . . . absolutely nothing else and I obviously should remedy that! I shall try to take a look very soon, and thank you for the kind words and the suggestion!


Q

I smiled when I read the reference to Thomas of Hookton in Azincourt. I loved the Grail Quest Series and even though I would like another book in the series I agree that the story ended in Heretic but thanks for the nice wrap-up for Thomas in Azincourt. My father first read Vagabond, something I still tease him about, not sure how one does that - he said it made more sense when he next read The Archer’s Tale. Anyway he told me about your books and that is what started my reading of historical fiction. Love your novels and now my father told me to read some Simmon Scarrow. Also I recently finished The Fort and like many Americans grew-up believing that Revere was a hero. I also loved Redcoat and wonder if the War of 1812 is worthy of a yarn???

Also, when not writing what do you read? Any favorite authors or novels stand-out? Thanks - Kevin

A

I have researched bits and pieces of the War of 1812, but right now it's not high on my list,

What books do I read? A list that could go on forever! I have always been particularly fond of the books by George MacDonald Fraser . I read a vast amount of history. I like good mysteries and detective novels - Ian Rankin, John Sandford, PD James, Dennis Lehane. I could go on and on and on...I'm a HUGE fan of Stuart McBride, who writes Scottish noir tales - police procedurals - but with enormous wit and a very dark imagination....there are many others I enjoy as well!


Q

Looking forward to reading your books. I haven't started yet. I just got No Law in the Land. I think that's the title. Looking for audio cd's and have you done any? Thank You, Gina Holder

A

Sorry, you must have me confused with someone else - I don't have a book with the title No Law in the Land.