Mr.Cornwell please tell how you pronounce Uhtred,is it like oo-tred or something else,also what is the corect way to pronounce La Roche-Derrien, thank you. Andy Boatman
Oootred is good! La Rosh Derry-en. OK?
I've just finished reading "Sharpe's Rifles", and I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading your books. I finished reading the Thomas of Hookton series, and not only learned more history, but found new admiration for the bravery of the soldiers of the past. It seems to me that your research is immaculate, and that you have a passion for the subjects you write about. I used to feel that Dorothy Dunnett was my favorite historical fiction writer, and I'm curious if you've read her works, especially the "Lymond" series of historical novels? Your fan, Andrew
I have, and loved them! A long time ago, though, and I should renew my acquaintance!
Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you very much for creating Sharpe!! I have a couple of questions, how far would someone have got with escapades like Sharpe's in the real army? Even though most of them start of with some official sanctioning I suspect that they would have ended in Court Martial and a firing squad?
Secondly, what do you think Harper would have made of the current situation in Ireland? Many thanks, Simon.
One would devoutly hope so! Mind you, success breeds a great deal of immunity and, of course, by saving Wellington's life, Sharpe has earned a good deal of latitude! But I suspect he would have been stamped on quite hard in real life (though he's a difficult man to squash!).
Harper would be a Republican, of that I've no doubt at all (and quite right too!). I have no idea whether he would have joined the Provisionals, my own feeling is that he would have been a 'sticky' (Official IRA), but that could be wishful thinking.
I saw that you are going to do a book on Agincourt. Any chance that will be a series? Also, you make reference to Longinus's lance in the Grail Quest series, any possibility of combining Agincourt and the Lance together? Thanks. Jared Ober
Agincourt certainly won't be a series . . . . a one-off. At least, that's what I plan, and I doubt it will change. Longinus lance? Well, I'll think on it! Thanks
Mr. Cornwell My uncle gracefully gave me 500 books from the back of his garage. Among them were quite a few of the Sharpe books (Rifles onwards). After months of them sitting on myself looming down at me, I finally read one at random - Sharpe's Regiment - then Rifles, Company, and Eagles in that order. Regiment is my favourite so far due to it's more diverse plot and more detailing part of what can happen outside the army. But to my point - I'm not here to praise endlessly . After Eagles I went down to my local bookshop and found that they had all the new Sharpe DVDs on sale, so I bought the Rifles/Eagles DVD. I hate to say this... But I was disappointed with it, Sean Bean will grow on me - but I felt it diverged far away from the plot - it felt too brief to me - only touching on everything and giving little climax at all, if any. Do these series get better ? I'm 14, short on cash so not keen to buy more unless I can have my image of Sharpe restored to its former glory. I adore the Hornblower teleplays yet have never read the books - maybe I'm biased? Thanks -Hugo, a worried fan.
Sorry to hear you were disappointed with the film. The films do differ from the books...I'll have to leave it to you to decide!
Hello, I guess you get this a lot but I am a MAJOR fan of your work especially the Sharpe series. ever since the second grade, I have wanted to be an author. One thing I think is particularly great about your books is the originality of the characters. So I was wondering, how did you think of the character Richard Sharpe? Will McMahon
Richard Sharpe was born on a winters night in 1980. It was in London, in a basement flat. I had decided to marry an American and, for a myriad of reasons, it was going to be easier if I lived in America, but I could not get a work permit and so, airily, I decided to earn a living as a writer. Love makes us into idiots.
But at least I knew what I wanted to write. It was going to be a land-based version of C.S.Foresters Hornblower books. The character of Sharpe? Wholly from my imagination.
Bernard, Hello again. It has been a while since I have written but I continue to work my way through the Sharpe novels. Can I just say that I haven't read them in any order but it hasn't mattered at all, I have enjoyed each and every one. I have just finished reading Sharpe's Rifles. Thinking back can you remember how easy/hard it was to write seeing as it was the first prequel you wrote. I think it was a great story and loved the tale of Sharpe's and Harper's meeting.
You say that the next Uhtred novel is due in October. I know you won't want to give anything away but how far is your planning for the next novels? Do you know the subjects, story lines etc. How far do you think/plan into the future?
One more question. Do you have any plans to write your biography?
And finally a plea. If you do a book signing tour in October have a word with whoever and please, please visit Yorkshire, preferably Doncaster (or Sheffield)you'd love it. Thankyou, Barry Evans, Kirk Sandall, Doncaster
I don't remember, to be honest! Except I was writing it for the convenience of the TV series producers, who wanted a 'prequel' story, and I do remember thinking it was a pity to use Sharpe and Harper's first meeting in that context, but I was short of time and that was an easy way out!
I think as far ahead as the next paragraph. Honestly! Part of the joy of reading a book is to find out what happens, and that's also the joy of writing one. I have no idea what Uhtred will be doing in the next chapter (well, sometimes I do, but he can always surprise me), and absolutely no clue about the next book!
No! None!!
I'll see what I can do!
Hello Bernard, having worked my way through the Grail Quest, Arthur trilogy and (to date) the Saxon stories I set myself the 'chore' of tackling the Sharpe series, in chronological order as recommended by your good self! My question, did you ever get around to re-reading Sharpe's Eagle? I'm just reading your introduction and your narrative made me smile, I wondered if you ever got back to that dazzling romance! Dean Tams
Still haven't re-read it! Perhaps I will one day.
Hi, I read your book. The last kingdom. And I really want to know something. Will it be adapted to theater? I think it would be really great. Yves
There are no plans for it, but thanks!
Mr Cornwell. As always thanks for impressive books. I must say Sharpe fan 1st always, with Starbuck close behind. Small question on are the Sharpe editions ever updated? Just reread "Sharpe's devil" with the line "Sharpe's 1st sea battle" With his sight seeing tour of Trafalgar, an update in his ship fighting skills would be nice. The other small thing is I now walk my dogs past the old "Cyfarthfa iron works" in Merthyr Tydfil. So important in the wars against Napoleon. Nelson paid the works a visit. I believe we even made cannons for BOTH sides of the american civil war. Cheers Rhydian
The Sharpe books have not been updated - and I am well aware of the inconsistencies. Perhaps once the series is complete, I'll go back and try to clean them up.