Your Questions

Dear Bernard, I have been a long time fan living in Rhode Island and am quite proud that you are an adopted New Englander. I am amazed by your vivid and detailed descriptions of hand to hand combat - throughout the ages that your characters inhabit. You accurately depict the beauty (as a well-choreographed type of dance) and the savagery of hand to hand (man to man) fighting. I know you to be a kind and gentle soul, so I do not think that you are secretly a third degree ninja black belt assassin! So how do you work out these fight scenes? Do you envision each step, thrust, and lunge in your head, taking into account balance, feints and parries? Or do you call your lovely wife over and say "Honey, if I lunge at you in this manner, and you turn this way, and then I feint like this, are you off balance or can you counter this way?" I know that you are a great reader, but like dance, fencing and the like, one can not learn these arts just through reading. Just curious from Rhode Island - but if I ever see you in a dark alley, I am giving you a wide berth, and just in case you ARE a third degree ninja black belt assassin!
Randy

Dear Sir, I am not THE Keith Allen, thankfully, but an inferior namesake. That now taken care of the question is What is a KONKA in old Danish or Viking? I have been asked this by a colleague who, knowing I am a fan of yours (and have almost all of your books, two are out of print) thought I might know the answer. Google doesn't show anything. Regards and looking forward to more stories. Keith Allen

Hello, it seems that the one thing I love the most about your stories is also the thing that most disturbs me. How real they feel. In particular, the way men like Sansum and Alfred rise to the top in almost every climate. Meanwhile, the Arthurs, Uhtreds and Derfels of the world... Sir, does your knowledge of history offer a suggestion of when this became so? Sorry if I sound naive or perhaps even bitter about this. I am not. I just wonder if given the choice of being noble and just or a bastard of sorts world leaders tend to choose the latter. Please shed any bit of light on this that you may care to. Sincerely, John

Dear Mr. Cornwell may it be possible that somewhere in the (hopefully near) future all of us have a chance to read about a meeting between the three children of Sharpe?? Sonja

The last line in the Sword Song says "and so Uhtred and his story will continue". Is this a hint that you are going to grace us with future books about Uhtred? Thank you for all the hours of entertainment. Frank

I just finished "Sword Song." Thanks again for a wonderful adventure. When can we expect the next installment? Is this series going to become as long as the Sharpe series? I certainly hope so. I keep hoping that in the next book Uhtred does not loose his hand. Thank again. I am looking forward to, "...and so Uhtred and his story will continue."
John Eaton

Hello! My name is Lindsey and I have only recently been turned on to your books. But this last week my life was consumed by the Warlord Chronicles, I ignored my friends, forgot to eat, smoked way too many cigarettes, and felt utterly bereft when I was finished. Until of course I did a little research and found out just how prolific you are! I cannot wait to read more, thank-you so much for your stories. And for your inspired character development, in the women especially I was impressed. I find that females in historical fiction can come off as a little one dimensional, fairly enough considering the time period and lack of rights, but yours are unerringly believable, complex, real people. I'm not hardcore in my feminism, but I find myself irked a little when every woman in a story is a sweet, obedient pushover or a total death bitch without gradation. There's a quote that particularly stood out to me. It was in Latin, Guinevere's description of Arthur from a book of poetry: "I hate, I love, It hurts." Do you recall where you found it? You've probably been asked before, I apologize if it's a repetitive question. But it's rare that so few words can be so apt and I keep thinking about it. Thank you again and great website!
Lindsey Craig

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I cannot stress to what extent I savour your books. I discovered the Pale Horseman in November of 2007 (at Barnes and Nobles). Much to my own pleasure, I have taken a fervent liking to reading your novels. I'm not sure if it's Uhtred of Bebbanburg, an amazing protagonist by the way, or the time period in which the story takes place, that makes me so eager to read. I am an avid fan of history (all history) Every time I pick up your book, it's as if I were willingly jumping into a time machine, where a world of history, culture and chaos was awaiting me. The best parts of my day are when I take the train to go to and from work. There is no better time to read to read your novels. It's become a routine of mine. I finished the Pale Horseman rather quickly, and the proceeded to devouring Lords of the North and Sword Song. I was deeply saddened when I realized the Sword Song was just released in January of 2008. I imagine I will have to wait a whole year before I can read what happens to Uhtred. Perhaps, Alfred will he finally reward Uhtred properly for having succeeded despite his cousin's lack of trust, respect or military prowess. I am finding it more and more difficult to wait for Uhtred to finish this blood feud that started long ago, when his uncle cowardly took over his father's land (and wife) and tried to have him killed. I am aching for Alfred to release Uhtred of his oath so that he may roam to the north with his wolf pack of Finnan, Rypere and Sihtric and find Ragnar Ragnarson. An epic battle is on the verge of happening, I can sense it. The time for Uhtred and Ragnar to stand together in the shield wall will come again. This is better than any movie.... really! Which brings me to my next point. Will this Anglo-saxon saga ever become a movie? It's a gold mine of an idea. I'd buy the series. I've already cast everyone in my mind. :) Now, finding myself waiting for the next of the Anglo-saxon tales to come out, I have begun reading the Sharpe series, which is also amazing. I can't believe I haven't heard of any of this sooner. Pretty soon I will have read everything you have ever written. :) Keep going! I tried putting my appreciation for your work in words, but even there I believe I fell short. I have never enjoyed reading this much! I remain, very humbly, one of your most appreciative fans. I look forward to everything that is to come.

Charles Millet

Mr. Cornwell, You are one of my favorite writers, and I was introduced to your books by my grandfather. I find a lot of parallels between Derfel and Uhtred. Did you use one character to inspire the other? ps- I just finished Sword Song, and I feel like it left me wanting more....300 pages is not enough!!
Caleb Spence

Why don't you write a story about Guthlac? I promise not to sue. Robert Hickling

If my reviews in LIBRARY JOURNAL reach your eyes, you knowing I'm not merely flattering you when I say that I greatly admire your books. I have just finished rereading Forester's Hornblower books for the umpteenth time, and it has occurred to me that Hornblower's son, Richard, was an army colonel in 1848, and that it may be time for someone to chronicle his career. Did he serve in the Crimean War?
Kent Rasmussen