Your Questions

Q

I had a question I forgot to ask. When writing books, two through however many books in a series, how difficult is it to fit in background information from the previous books for the benefit of the person who has picked up a book in the middle of a series? It seems there must be a fine balancing act between informing the new reader and boring the person who has been there from the beginning. Mike Cincinnati, Ohio

Submitted May 9, 2008

A

I'm not sure how difficult it is, but I do know it's necessary and so I try to keep that essential information as brief as possible! It isn't something I think about . .. .just have to do it, but try very hard not to overload the reader with information, so you don't retell whole plots, but merely explain the character's circumstance if it has a bearing on the new plot.

Q

Hi Bernard, I was just wondering if you used the excellent book Agincourt: The King The Battle The Campaign. By Juliet Barker? Nick Grant

Bernard Hope you are keeping well. An earlier posting asked for recommendations re historical fiction on the Crusades. Robyn Young's two books, Brethren and Crusade are both quite good on the above subject. Have you come across her work before? If I can ask a second question in relation to Azincourt. I have read Juliet Barker excellent book on the above, Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle, and your recommendation. Have you ever meet Juliet and did you use her book as one of the references for your own book? regards Steven

Well, Mr. Cornwell many thanks for your great Warlord Trilogy. I'd been trying to find a painless way into Arthurian Legend for some time - and these books are it. Derfel joins a long list of my favourite fictional characters that includes Holden Caulfield, Bertie Pollock and all three of the guys from Three Men in a Boat - not forgetting the dog, Montmorency. I have questions, which are, by any chance do you have any plans to do for the Crusades what you have done for Arthurian legend? If so, on what kind of time scale? But, if (as seems more likely) not, can you recommend some decent Crusader-related fiction? All the very best and once again many thanks for the enjoyment your books give. Kind regards John Lewis

Submitted May 9, 2008

A

I met Juliet Barker maybe 10 years ago? She's a very impressive lady, and I used her book constantly . . . it lay open beside me for the whole time I was writing Azincourt!

I do not have plans to write about the Crusades and I have not read Robyn Young's books - but it seems I should! She's been recommended numerous times now!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a huge fan of your work. So much I am writing a dissertation on your Sharpe Novels for Northumbria University. I would like to ask you a few questions relating to the comparison on film and text: 1. What are your feelings towards the huge difference in your book Sharpe's Gold and the film?

2. Do you know the reasons for Josephine's smaller role in the films? Was it because Teresa was thought to be more entertaining for the TV?

3.In Sharpe's Eagle the film why is there a focus on Leroy and the American slave trade? (as this is not in the book)

4. I read your introduction to Sharpe's Eagle and understand why you wrote Sharpe. Was it your intention to write a male fantasy novel in the same respects that James Bond is a male fantasy? Thank you for your time and please don't stop writing! Joel Kelly

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

There is a huge difference between the book Sharpe's Gold and the film, but the screenwriter did have a problem. As you may know Paul McGann was first selected to play Sharpe, but had a dreadful accident while filming and was unable to continue (he's now happily recovered). The production was forced to make a huge insurance claim (and replace Paul with Sean Bean). They had been working on Sharpe's Gold - but on a script that followed the book much more closely. Legal advice told them they could not film that original script because the insurance company might then claim that their losses had not been so grievous, so a new (and weird) script was devised.

I honestly have no idea. It's a question that should probably be directed to whoever wrote those scripts. I take no part in the writing and try to keep a big distance between myself and the production!

Because the script-writer wanted that! I have to emphasize that I'm not involved and, moreover, don't want to be involved. I have my work cut out writing books and don't want to be a part-time interferer in the TV production!

The real intention was to write Hornblower on land, and Sharpe is really modelled on Hornblower . . . not in character, but in genre. Bond, I think, is more fantastic, and while I'm not claiming that Sharpe is a realistic picture of a Napoleonic soldier, I do try to make the background of his adventures as realistic as possible.

Q

Dear Bernard, In regards to your next Uhtred book after Azincourt I wondered if it might involve the battles and actions around Chester at all or the Scots invasion of Guhtred's Kingdom?????

On another note if the Viking books are about the formation of England have you ever considered Edward 1st and the formation of Britain????

And in regards to Azincourt will there be more books in the series (Read the excerpt and loved it) and any chance of Nick Hook taking on Joan of Arc at all??? Yours sincerely Tony

P.S You have said you have considered the war of 1812 how about the real life James Fitzgibbon and the bloodyboys seems very Sharpe like person to me.

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

I'll know when I start writing it! I really don't know at the moment . . . I have to finish Azincourt this week, then I'll start the research for the next book, and until then? No idea!

Yes, but whether I'll ever have time to write it??

I haven't thought that far ahead! I'm sure he'd enjoy lighting the fire, though.

Again it's a possibility . . . no promises!

Q

Hi Bernard I know you say don't give ideas for books but I have to ask... Have you ever thought about a book or series of books about Alexander The Great??? Cheers Dave

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

No, no plans for Alexander the Great.

Q

Hi, I've long been a fan of the Sharpe novels and I was wondering if you could place Sharpe in the modern world what would he become? A soldier? A farmer? Or is there only a place for him in the 19th century? Many Thanks, Steve

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

I imagine he would be in the SAS or maybe the SBS? Those outfits seem tailor-made for him, and I'm sure either would welcome him. He'd probably be cashiered, though.

Q

I just wanted to urge you to release the rest of your books to the amazon kindle. As a traveler, I rely upon the device for my reading. I would love to be able to continue the Sharpe series using the kindle. Thank you for all the pleasure your books have given me.
Andrew Piper

I recently bought an Amazon Kindle (electronic book reader) and I came across your books in their downloadable form. I love your work, but I wish more of it was available for the Kindle. The Sharpe series is particularly frustrating, because some of the books are available but others are not (the first book, for instance, is not, but the next ten or so are and then its sparse after that). Do you know if all of your books will be made available for the Kindle any time soon? I also loved the Saxon books, by the way (which are all available, at least so far). Jon Avner

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

Until I read your question I had no idea such a thing as a Kindle existed! So I don't know! But I will pass your question on to my agent who looks after such things. Thank you!

Q

Can I ask a question about the meeting with Jane Gibbons in Regiment? In the film Sharpe pulls Harper down as the coach passes on the road recognising the occupants as Simmerson and his 'niece'. Am I missing an episode from the original tv series where Sharpe met Jane earlier, and so in Regiment knew who she was - also was there not an episode where Sharpe gave the Knox gun to Harper, as his eyesight waned? I wanted to read these books covering same, but am not sure which books they are in? Why is the later series of Box DVD's different from the original series and can I get any missing episodes? Please help. Regards Julie Rigby

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

Oh, my God, I can't remember. He meets Jane in flashback in one of the first three books? As for the films, I have no idea, sorry.
Nor did I know the boxed DVD's are different from the original series. But I do know individual espisodes can be purchased through this link: http://www.sharpefilm.com/buysharpe/.

Q

Dear Sir, I spend a lot of time down at the Cape. Will you be at any of the Libraries again or performing on stage? Sincerely, Newton Saarinen

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

No libraries as far as I know. Stage? Yes, three performances at the Monomoy Theatre in Chatham. Check the posting on the Diary page of this website for details.

Q

I am a huge fan of the Sharpe series. You are an excellent writer. I was saddened by the recent death of George Macdonald Fraser, as I am also a big fan of the Flashman series. Are you as well? Mr. Fraser died without ever having explained Flashman's role in the American civil war. I know I am not supposed to suggest book ideas, but I really believe that if anyone were to tackle this, YOU would be that person. This would undoubtedly entail much legalizing, to be able to do it, but I suggest that the result would be worth it. Just a thought. Thanks so much for your books. Sincerely, Lee

Mr. Cornwell, I just want to thank you for all of the wonderful books that you write. I started with the Sharpe books, the Arthur books, the Archer books(Grail Quest.) I also like Tim Powers, have you ever read any of his stuff? It's very good. From reading your historical fiction, I got into George MacDonald Fraser. I also love his stuff. He will be sorely missed. I wonder if there is some other writer who could finish his 'Flashman' books. Someone who writes historical fiction and knows a little about the British military and American civil war? Hmmmm. Anyway this site is very good. I have not read the Sharpe books in a few years and I think there are a few new ones that I have to buy, along w/ the cookbook. If you are ever in New York, let me know. I'm a Police Officer in the theater district. Sincerely, Thomas West

Submitted May 6, 2008

A

I can't write the Flashman tales! I'm not nearly clever enough for that.

I haven't read Tim Powers, but I will! Thank you!