Your Questions

I just finished the Saxon Stories and I loved each one more. I didn't even want to start reading the next because I didn't want to finish the series. How many more do you plan on putting out and is there an end for Uhtred? Also I hope there is some sort of film put out depicting 9th century Britain that incorporates Uhtred. If you need any actors I know almost all their parts by heart.

Kurt

Well. If you enjoy writing historical novels over your sailing thrillers, how about a historical sailing thriller, ala Patrick O'Brian, say about the Mary Rose, or the Spanish Armada from the Spanish point of view?

Lloyd L. Thoms Jr.

Dear Bernard, Thought I'd just drop you line to thank you for your excellent books, and particularly the Sharpe series. After spending years borrowing them at the various libraries near where I have lived, I finally got frustrated and have been buying them in batches from Amazon. The last batch will arrive shortly. For some reason, I find Sharpe terrifically readable, and re-readable--which makes owning the whole series even more satisfactory. I've always been a fan of Napoleonic history, and your books prompted my recent reading of Elizabeth Longford's book on Wellington, and another entitled Napoleon and Wellington. Both were very readable and enjoyable. Thanks again...your books have given me many hours of pleasure. I am the General Manager of a combined radio and television operation in the small city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada (very sunny, very flat, lots of wheat, gas and oil, cattle and cowboys). If you have time to answer, I'd love to know if you have any plans to write about Sharpe's early years--childhood to recruitment. I know you've touched on these topics, but I want more (aren't fans annoying!) Have a great day... Dave Sherwood

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading your book 'Azincourt' and I'd just like to say that I have never enjoyed reading a book so much. I just hope that as with the 'Sharpe'(which I have also read) novels, this is turned into a film, or at least a 3 part mini series. It's about time we(the English) start celebrating our achievements against the overwhelming odds we have had to endure throughout the centuries. Do you think this film will ever happen??? I for one hope it does. Keep up the good work Mr Cornwell, and thank you. Regards Mark Parker

I just finished reading your extant Saxon books. I was struck by the marked contrast between your sometimes painfully detailed descriptions of arms, armor, and warfare and your total lack of love scenes. I really appreciated the moment of tenderness between Uhtred and Gisela in Sword Song (after Aethelflaed's wedding). I think these softer moments of love are a good complement to the harshness of warfare and politics. Do you have an authorial reason for not writing love scenes? If the four Saxon books are not wholly representative of your writing in this regard, then my apologies.
Chuan Q. Ho

With the benefit of hindsight what changes would you make to your previous books? Have you killed characters too early or had them perform acts which perhaps forced your hand re plot twists later on?

Andy Houghton

Re Azincourt page 157 Lady of Falmouth I'm interested in where you got the name "Falmouth" as the Cornish town didn't exist until the 17th Century.

Ian Paton

Hi. I just want to thank you for being the only author I'm aware of to be bold enough to strip all the Hollywood garbage (insufficiently strong but printable) out of the Arthurian legend. When will they realise that plate armour sufficiently light to cover the whole body and still allow movement wasn't invented until the middle ages? I know you don't want people to give you ideas for stories, but what if I gave you a signed affidavit to say you can use the idea? I'd just so love to see your take on what I'm thinking about!

Simon

It is good to see that you are still up to your antics. You have an impatient reader on your hands, good sir! When I saw that "Burning Land" is soon to come, I nearly pulled out my hair. 2010! What will I DO with that time?! Perhaps I will take up basketweaving until it comes to pass. That is a lie. I will keep up my own writing, and perhaps send you something when it becomes published and safe for handling. It is good, I think, to pass on work to one's peers. Even better if they are ruthless should someone fail utterly! In reading "Lords of the North" (and to a lesser extent "Sword Song"), I found that the battle details became a little hazy in comparison to the prior Saxon Tales. Is there a particular reason for this, or did it just pan out that way? Understand that it is in no way a complaint. If anything, it reinforces the feeling that the events are a recollection rather than straight storytelling. I have always found your books more intriguing than most for the simple fact that it doesn't quite seem like plot work. More a sequence of events, as one might expect to experience in a real life setting. The sense of surprise is constant. The extent of your research intrigues me. How is it that you come across resources which seem to be far more intricate and detailed than most in your field? I didn't mean this to become a praise fest, but alas. I hope the upcoming years will show us more of what lurks in that head of yours. -Torr

I have read each of your Saxon stories books probably a dozen times. They are my favorite books ever. I am fairly well educated (upperclass standing at a US top university, 3.9GPA). I was wondering if you conduct beta testing, because if so I would love a chance to read the Burning Land. I literally do not think I can wait until Jan 1, 2010. Obviously I expect the answer to be no, and either way would like to congratulate you on writing what I consider to be the greatest fiction of all time!

Brian Goldstein