Your Questions

Dear Bernard, I have an idea in my head for a novel set during the South American Wars of Independence but not sure which books would be a good place to start for research. Could you recommend any that you may have used when writing Sharpe's Devil? And what do you know of Britain's position on it, particularly in the early years when Wellington was in Spain? Were Britain supportive of San Martin, Bolivar and O'Higgins or supporting Spain?
Rhys Wood

Hi Bernard, I'm just wondering if the Warlord Books were ever made into films/tv series which actor would you choose (if you could choose anyone at all) to play Derfel? Cheers for the excellent books, looking forward to Azincourt and seeing you at your talk in Durham! Nick

Dear Bernard, I'd love you to write more Sharpe books, they're just great.
Did you chose using Sean Bean as Sharpe? Great choice if you did chose. Thanks for your time. Jack

Hi, Mister Cornwell I have read nearly every you have read. I like the Sharpe stories and the Starbuck stories. In the book Rebel you introduce a character named Patrick Lassan. He is a french officer, but he tells Starbuck in Copperhead I think that his father was an officer in the British rifles. My question is, is Sharpe Patrick's father? I eagerly await the next book in the Starbuck chronicles.
Michael Curran

Greetings from cold Canada! First off, let me start by saying how much I enjoy your books. Over the last couple of years your books have given me something to do both when the rain is coming down as well as when the sun is shining! So I thank you for introducing me to worlds gone by and for making the imagination run wild. Just a quick question about your upcoming book "Azincourt" and its release date. If you could answer, it would be highly appreciated. I live in Canada and get 99% of my books through www.chapters.ca. On the website it says that Azincourt will be hitting stores in Canada around October 20th. Is this release date accurate?? I'm just wondering as the book will be released in the United States nearly up to 3 months later! Sincerely, Jamie

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just finished The Sword Song. I know that Uhtred will be back. Can you tell me when? Tulio Cavalcanti de Albuquerque

I have read the Saxon stories with great interest and enjoyment surely "Sword Song" can not be the last in the series, can you please tell me whether or not there is more to come and if so when? This is a fantastic series and would hate "sword Song" to be the last. Many thanks in advance. Martin Pearson

Dear Bernard Cornwell, or whomever is reading this (as I know that a busy writer must not have time to screen through fan mail). I am from Brazil, so let me start by apologising for any mistakes in my writing. I am fascinated with your style of writing and I have been purchasing your books whenever I see them here, which is not so often. Last book fair I bought the four books from the Saxon stories and after reading the forth book I just had to search for a fifth one. My question is this, will there be a fifth book (couldn't find any mention to there being one), or has the story really ended? Thanks for the attention. Thalitta Vital

I was hoping a new 'Lords of the North' sequel would be published this year. I hope you have not finished with the series as I am looking forward to seeing Lord Uhtred regaining Bamburgh from his treacherous uncle. Please add to this fine series. In the meantime I look forward to reading 'Azincourt'. John Hillson

I just finished reading Sword Song. I must say I'm very impressed. It was just a coincidence that I bought the whole "Saxon Stories"-series while I was staying in Bangkok this summer. I was looking for some non-fiction books and the book store had a 3 for 2 offer so I found 1 non-fiction and I saw "The Last Kingdom" and "Lord of The North" and bought them. Then after checking wikipedia I saw that I actually didn't have all the books, so I checked several book stores and found the remaining books, and as you know I'm finished reading. The first 3 books was read in 2 weeks, but after getting back to Norway it took some time due to work and "normal day". I would say I like the historical background and I've read Ken Follett's "The Pillars of The Earth" and "World Without End" and those books are as well as yours very interesting and well written. I hope you continue your "Saxon Stories"-series and I hope a new book will come soon. As you probably have seen I'm very interested in the Viking age and the middle ages. I was wondering if you might have other similar books to recommend. Best regards Hakon Naper

Hello Cornwell, I am a big Brazilian fan of your work and as yet not been released all their books in Portuguese (Brazilian), I am just reading the excerpts and summaries in English or Portuguese (Portugal). Because I have all books in Portuguese. I love the series of Sharpe, I was very excited about the series of Grail Quest, and I have a question: - The character Tomas of Hookton (Grail) is relative of Nicholas Hook (Azincourt)? Thanks Luis PS: Sorry for my "robotic" English.

Mr. Cornwell: Thank you for the hours of pleasure that your books have provided. I have introduced you to the fire station, and am thus spreading my addiction. I would agree with you; the Arthur books are probably my favorite series. The simple integrity and strength of Derfel are a great creation. I have only one problem. Is there any chance of getting him out of that monastery before he dies? It breaks my heart every time that I read it. Paul Sowers

Dear Bernard - obviously Saxon Chronicles all 4 are brilliant and can't wait for the next one. However, having just finished the third and final book of the warlord chronicles, I feel lost for words. For me Derfel is the ultimate character representing honour and bravery. I don't think anyone (real or fictional) has ever been so honourable. Let them make a film trilogy, would be fantastic - Lord of the Rings is nowhere near as good. I know you said Arthur has been laid to rest, but surely there are enough years unaccounted for in Derfel's life as he continues to struggle for law and justice in 6th Century Britain, for you to write one more book. Galahad, Ceinwyn, Gwydre, Morwena, Percival, Nimue, could all surely feature - please write at least one more and make a lot of fans extremely happy. Darius

Sir; I,m reading through the Sharpe series for the third go-round. And it is every bit as good as the first! Just finished "Sharpe's Revenge", and I am struck with how much Gen. Calvet could be a stand alone character. Had you ever considered giving Calvet his own run? Heaven knows, you keep your plate pretty full of writing projects as it is, and likely don't need a new foray for a while... but it would, I'm sure, make for some great reading should you feel like giving Calvet at least one book's worth. Maybe sometime? --Best regards, Terry