Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm one of your scary Sharpe fans ...(Oh God not another one he thinks) :-) I have two questions if I may trouble you - When you were thinking of our lovable rouge what made you put him in the 95th - was it just the romanticism of that regiment or did you want the Baker Pattern of rifles to make an appearance or was it a mix of random things that came together into one big glorious jumble that is Richard Sharpe? Keep up your brilliant work and may Sharpe and Harper march again. Your fan always - Andrew

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

I think the original thought (so long ago) was that a rifleman would have slightly more freedom of manouevre on the battlefield, which turned out to be partly true and mostly irrelevant. Then there is, of course, the unique qualities of the Baker Rifle, which were irresistible, and do, I think, add to the stories.

Q

Have just finished Lords of the North, another cracker!! Is there any chance of Uhtred coming in contact with my ancestors who were Norsemen from the Orkneys?? Could you also please try and answer this little poser that has cropped up during beer fuelled evenings on literary villans... who would win in a fight between Obadiah Hakeswill, (find a way to bring him back!!! )and Hannibal Lecter?? Thanks for some of the best books ever, David.

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

Uhtred might well meet your ancestors! Can't swear to it, but they are in my mind. As to the beer-sodden question, the whiskey-fuelled answer is, of course, Obadiah!

Q

There's nothing in the "What's coming" section. Is this just an error on the website? I don't really mind what's coming next as long as something is! Sharpe, Starbuck, Uhtred they're all excellent. The first book I read of yours was The Winter King, as soon as Derfel crosses the river I was hooked, and have since read everything you've written. Consistently superb, hours of great reading. Thanks!
Carl Farmer

Submitted February 28, 2007

A

The fourth book of the Saxon stories is coming - but as we don't have a title or book cover for it yet, it hasn't been posted. Keep an eye out though - we'll get it up soon I hope!

Q

David Gemmel recently died, what did you think of his books? Also are there any more viking series books coming out? Anthony Fleming

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

I'm afraid I have not read any of David Gemmell's books.

The next book of the Saxon stories should be out in October.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. It is with the greatest of pleasure that I read your books, having first picked up Sharpe's Triumph on a ferry going to Ireland almost 8 years ago when I was a wee boy of 14. Since then I have read through all of the Sharpe novels at least 3 times each including the new ones, others are even more so, and have also collected the Warlord Chronicles, which I adore, and the Saxon Chronicles, what can I say, I just love your books. I do have 2 questions... 1. Do you have any idea when the next Saxon book is coming out? I am currently going through Lords of the North, for the third time, and really want to know how it all ends for Uhtred.

2. Just out of curiosity, you mentioned in the Historical notes, which I find very interesting by the way, in Sharpe's Eagle, that you have never read the book after publication (I think that's correct). I was just wondering if this is still the case as this is my favorite Sharpe book, aside from maybe Sharpe's Triumph. Yours in literature, David James Chesshire

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

The next book should be out in October of this year.

Still haven't re-read it! Perhaps I will one day.

Q

Hello Bernard Cornwell I am a great fan of you and I live in Turkey. I wanted to ask how old you are? At which age did you began writing? Is Uhtred a real man in history?
Ata

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

I am 63 years old. Started writing at age 36. Uhtred is fictional but a family with Uhtred's name (my ancestors) did hold Bebbanburg (now Bamburgh Castle) at one time.

Q

Sir. When may we have the missing book from 9 months before Cat Lane to Seringapatam. Will we have the story of the months before Sharpe's Prey when he gave away the ruby to his then girlfriend, a schoolteacher from Dover I think. What happened to Captain Morris (33rd of Foot)? Simon Brett Phillips

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

I'm disinclined to take Sharpe back in time again, but who knows? Sharpe's revenge on Morris is in the Pending file.

Q

First of all, congratulations on becoming my favourite author, in the past 3 yrs I bought every single historical book you wrote. Second, ever thought of writing a history book with no fiction included? Darko

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

The trouble with non-fiction is that you have to be accurate, which is really why I write fiction. Once in a while I think about it, and lie down until the feeling passes, but perhaps, one day, I'll give in to the urge.

Q

I am writing to congratulate you on your portrayal of Arthurian Britain in your Winter King Trilogy. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books. Derfel is a masterpiece, I regard him as a friend guiding me through the twists and turns of Dark Age politics in Britain. Whilst the books now have pride of place in the centre of my bookshelves, I would really appreciate being able to listen to them being read to me in my car. Are there any plans to release them as a talking book on cd or mp3 (or any format compatible with I-Tunes)? I look forward to your reply with baited breath. Sincerely David

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

There has been talk of it, but as far as I know, the books are still only available on audio cassette.

Q

I read the Arthur books then started the Saxon Chronicles...then saw a Sharpe show on BBC America. I was hooked. Sean Bean is a great choice for Richard Sharpe, so much so that I can't read Sharpe without the indelible image of Bean as Sharpe, Sharpe as Bean. I did want to ask you if you had anything to do with the recent Sharpe's Challenge? I saw it on BBC America when it premiered and was greatly disappointed...it seemed like Sharpe's Tiger without the, ahem, tiger but with good old Patrick Harper along for a fight in India. I believe that Dodd made an appearance as did Obadiah Hakeswill...which is truly amazing in that Sharpe had already dispatched the twitching fiend during the Penisular war! Never the less, I am a great admirer of your stories and characters. And even though I did not enjoy the Challenge as much as I had anticipated, Sean Bean as Sharpe is brilliant! Brilliant! Best Regards, Robert Draper (American by birth but proud of my Norman-English extraction.)

Submitted February 26, 2007

A

I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed with 'Sharpe's Challenge'. Hakeswill is not in the film, but of course Sean Bean is ... and you're right, he's terrific!