Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I start reading your books with the Gallow Thief, which I found very good. Then all the others ,and I must say that I have a little preference for the Arthur series. I think it a very interesting and original way to present the legend. I love the way you write, the pace, descripton and most of all the carastères. You paint the evil ones like no one else, and the bad ones are very important in good novels. Your hero also are very polite; quite, and utterly volent,very realistique. I just finished Bloody Ground you just can't let Billy Blithe(don't know the spelling in audio books) live, it's too unfaire. Being french (a frog and a dancing master)I appreciate that Sharpe returned to Normandie and married a french woman. Finally I would love you writing about the Crusades. Have you ever thought of it, especially the start of the invasion?(a very good book by Hamin Malouf Crusade through the Arabian Eyes) thanks again for all your books ,merci encore. Thomas Saliot

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change? Thanks for your kind message.

Q

Have read all the Sharpe books, I personally think "Enemy of God" the best book I have ever read - had everything. One question is there ever to be a follow up to "Gallows Thief" as this looked to be the start of a long series? Steven Williams

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

A follow-up to Gallows Thief is a possibility, just not sure when...

Q

Just pre-ordered 'Slaughteryard' but there is no background description. Is it too early to ask which series? Great that there's something else to come. Roger Gaspar

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

It's a stand-alone . . so no series . . . and we just changed the title to AZINCOURT. Not Agincourt, Azincourt, which is the French spelling.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Are there any plans to film one or more of the Warlord Chronicles series? I've never read a more exciting trilogy. I think it needs to filmed. Sincerely, Julie Jannuzi

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

No plans for it, but thanks for your kind words!

Q

The time of the Peninsular and Napoleonic wars seems to be one that has struck a chord with both writers and readers alike. I winder what the chances are of Sharpe and co meeting the likes of Aubrey and Martin or even the Mallinson characters (Hervey) in passing or even in the same actions? Although the former are naval the latter being in cavalry regiments who appear to have been in places such as India at around the same time the question does have to be asked.
Neil White

Excellent books, all the Sharpes magnificent, I am reading them back to back again! The Aurthur trilogy wonderful. Any chance of just one more Sharpe book where he meets up with a certain Horatio Hornblower and kills lots of Frenchmen, gets the girl, wins a few battles against all odds, shows up an incompetent English officer etc etc. or will the Forester estate not let you use the name? Keep it up, do not think of retirement please. Best wishes, Merry Xmas. David Skipper

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

I suspect the copyright difficulties would prevent this. I shall name no names, but an historical novelist recently had his main character meet the main character of another series by another author, and the second author, and both sets of lawyers, became rich. So the answer is no!!!!

Q

love your Arthurian legend books. I read them in a month along with your Uhtred of Bebbanburg books. I just have one question. Why haven't you had your Arthur books made into a movie? It would be an amazing set of films. Just the shield wall scenes would be great not to mention the twists and turns in your plots. Whenever I'm reading your book I expect the expected and the unexpected and then boom! something I never saw come just comes out of nowhere. Thank you for your books and I can't wait for the next book in Uhtred's story.
Artem Yepishin

Submitted December 20, 2007

A

I'd love to see the books made into films, but I suspect they'd be too expensive to make.

Q

I had the pleasure of hearing you speak at Topping's in Bath last night and thoroughly enjoyed your interesting and witty talk. There are two questions I didn't have the nerve to ask you then and would like to do so now. Firstly, you spoke with great disdain of the Puritans of the world(and rightly so), yet it could be said you live in the home of the American Puritans - how do you cope?Or is it worse here?

Secondly, how has the arrival of the Internet changed the way in which you do your research and has it made your research easier/faster to do? I thoroughly enjoy your work and have recently managed to turn my brother on to you also- he was there with me last night having bought Sword Song on the day of publication in the UK! Please don't retire just yet - we are anxiously awaiting more of all your wonderful stories and characters. Kind regards Genevieve Payne

Submitted December 17, 2007

A

I wish you had asked it! I suspect puritans are inescapable. I do notice a huge difference between those countries which were strongly influenced by Presbyterianism (Northern Ireland, Scotland, New England) and those which blessedly escaped that ghastly creed (England), but England is presently governed by Scots . . . . so the Presbyterian fascination with sin prevails. American puritanism is annoying, and usually demonstrates itself with an ineffable sense of moral superiority, but I married into it and I endure it because the alternative is worse!

They used to say that if you gave a million monkeys a million typewriters then eventually one of them would produce a Shakespearean sonnet - it isn't true - they came up with the Internet. The problem is checking the authority behind the website. I've been tripped up more than once, so I use the Internet as the last resource. Some sites can be trusted, but it's incredibly hard to know which . . . . I really prefer using books.

Q

Dear Bernard While wishing you a very merry Christmas and Happy new year. I was wondering after reading the little book short story book that comes with Sword Song and your comments about Puritanism on whether you will ever write about the English or should that be British civil war???? Btw I hope you are not to annoyed if I say its kind of ironic that a person who hates puritans lives in New England where they supposedly settled too??? On another note you mentioned Starbuck supporting a lost cause despite losing. Have you ever thought of getting him to Hoods campaign in Tennessee since that seemed to represent a lost cause more than anything else??? And finally will you be writing anymore book reviews in the future?? Anyway merry Xmas again Tony P.S The Noble Revolt by John Admanson is a big tome but an excellent read

Submitted December 17, 2007

A

English Civil War? I've considered it, have done some research, think about it, but lord knows where I'll find the time to do it. One day, maybe?

Won't know about Starbuck until I get back to him.

I'm quite busy at the moment so not sure if I'll get to any more book reviews any time soon.

Q

One of the early Sharpe books found him with a fortune of jewels aboard a ship bound for England. In the next Sharpe book I read he was broke. What happened? It has been some years since I read the book but I was not able to find the explanation. Did I miss a crucial part of the Sharpe story? Your novels are great adventure and have been with me on many travels. Thank you. R. S. Cope

Submitted December 17, 2007

A

Did you read Sharpe's Prey? The answer to the question about the jewels is in there.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, This is formal i know, but we have not been formally introduced and to call you Bernard seems too familiar. I just had to contact you to say that i am so glad that you have kept Uhtred going in Sword Song, it was like coming back to an old friend. I read so fast and get frustrated when i have to wait for the next instalment!! Please tell me that there will be more books in this series, keep Uthred alive PLEASE. I am only on page 81 at the moment so, as yet, i do not know if he lives or dies at the end of this book. When i pick up your books i am hard pressed to put them down.I am not so interested in the Sharpe series as this time in history is not my favourite, however i did enjoy the televised version with Sean Bean playing Sharpe. I just basically wanted to say "Job well done!" and keep up the good work. The only question i have is, will you be writing another book to follow Sword Song? and what other ideas/series do you have in mind to write about? Thank you for reading this. Jenny

Submitted December 17, 2007

A

Yes, there will be more to follow Sword Song. Well I have plans, but for some reason I am horribly superstitious about revealing them! Hope you won't mind.