Dear Bernard, I wonder could you tell me in which Sharpe novel does his friend Patrick Harper first appear? Thanks. Paul
Sharpe's Rifles.
Dear Bernard Many congratulations on your OBE, long overdue in my opinion. I have noticed from an earlier posting that you think Sharpe would have accepted such an award. Did he not receive any campaign or gallantry awards for his service and could he have been made a knight for his valour at Waterloo? I think Sir Richard Sharpe has a nice ring to it, don't you? On your own award, will you be collecting this from Buckingham Palace? Keep up the good work Best wishes Steven
There were no gallantry awards in the British army at the time of the Napoleonic wars so no, Sharpe didn't get any medals. I think he might become Sir Richard in time and then, like me, he'll have to go to the palace. Thank you!
Hello Mr Cornwell, A much younger, more immature version of me wrote you a few letters about 10 years ago and you where gracious enough to sign his copy of "Sharpes Company". The older version still treasures it and hopes he wasn't too irritating... :-D A quick note to congratulate you on your OBE. Well deserved! It must be a great honour to have the Queen as one of your fans. I'm presently re-reading the Arthurian series, which are my favourites of your novels, along with Stonehenge. Do you have plans to write more novels on ancient British history? The Roman Invasion might be interesting. Chris Horry
Roman? Probably not - Conn Iggulden does such a good job with it, best I leave it to him.
Hi firstly I first saw the Sharpe films when I was little and they were on Tv I think I was around 8 at the time. Now I have bought the DVD's and read all the books, and am awaiting your new one. I was just wondering, are you pleased with all the actors that played the chosen troops? I am, that wasn't meant to sound like I think they were bad, of course I don't I loved the films. Secondly I was rather hoping to see more of Harris and the other chosen ones who aren't "dead" yet. I have read that it isn't possible due to age, but still it would be nice. It's sad knowing that the Sharpe films are coming to an end. By the way, I was reading the FAQ on the site and it had this. Cei pronounced Kay. Well me being welsh and knowing a Cei. Assumed that Kay is pronounced as in Peter Kay I believe this to be wrong. (Not trying to be rude, more helpful). It's pronounced Cai if that helps. Well keep up the good work. Hope to buy some more American Civil War books soon, as I am really into that period of history. thanks alot for your time. matt davies
Pleased with the actors? Enormously pleased!! And I'm glad to know you enjoy the films. Thanks for your help with the pronounication.
Mr. Cornwell, Congratulations on your OBE. I believe you throroughly deserve it. Just wanting to know if you will bring back Rifleman Turner from the 60th? I really liked the idea of having a patriotic American fighting for the British against the French, then caught in the turmoil of the War of 1812. I just thought that was superb storytelling! If you don't bring back Turner, I beg you to put another American (Kentucky!) in Sharpe's ranks. Thanks David DeForest
I think Turner will return! I had not forgotten him.
Dear Mr Cornwell, Congratulations on the award of your OBE. I have just finished reading Lords of the North which I very much enjoyed. I think of the three books so far I enjoyed The Pale Horseman the most, mainly because the story and in particular because of your description of the battle of Ethandum. This leads me to my question. The character of Svein (which I note was made up) dons a horsetail plume on his helmet and has a white horse on a green field as his emblem. Was this borrowed from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings? I couldn't help noticing this attachment is the same as that worn by the Eomer character in this book (indicating a Marshall of Rohan) and the emblem is the badge of Rohan. I am now half way through the Winter King but I am eagerly awaiting the next in the Saxon series! Regards, Peter
Um, no. The white horse on a green field is a fairly common heraldic symbol, so while I won't deny that I might have been subconsciously influenced by Tolkein, it's more probable that we both used a common motif.
Dear Mr Cornwell, I am currently reading The Pale Horseman. I was surprised to read the part where Alfred asks to be burnt on a pyre, sword in hand, as a pagan. Is there any truth in this, or is artistic licence on your part? I found this a great development! Tom Sharp
I don't even remember that! Wow. And I didn't write it that long ago. I must have made it up, because it certainly isn't historical. Perhaps I was drunk when I wrote it? Actually I wasn't, because I never drink and write, but I confess it's vanished completely from my mind.
Hello Mr Cornwell I'd like to compliment you on your books which I have read avidly but I am puzzeled by something at the end of "The Lords of the North". You have Uhtred cross the Wear at Houghall according to the book turns south from Durham but Houghall is upstream from Durham (though it is south of the city) and the river flows North from Durham. I have an unfair advantage in that I live in Sunderland work about 300 yds. from Duram cathedral and my family have had a caravan within sight of Bamburgh castle and the sights are something I've grown up with thanks again for the fantastic work. John
I know, it's terribly confusing, isn't it? I walked it all, but the upstream, downstream, south, north gets horribly loopy because of the Wear's course. I think I got it right, but I'll take your word if I didn't. Nice place to live!
Dear Mr. Cornwell, You have written some 40 books and a couple of short stories. I read them all, and i find them all excellent. I'm amazed of Your woking ability!You must do a lot of research in order to write them. And I can se that You use a lot of time and energy to answering stupid questions like this: How on earth do You manage it all? How long is your ordinary working day? Is it all discipline, spartanic life - or are You just gifted :-)) Sinc. Yours, Lars Deleuran Librarian Brathalid Eric's Fiord South Greenland
Bernard, despite the fact that I have written many times before I am being cheeky enough to ask even more. You manage year after year to write at least two books a year, and they are not average books but are very readable, brilliant, entertaining books. Other favourite artists of mine take far far longer. James Herbert is now three years without a new novel. Robin Cook has written just three in five years. How do you do it? Also, when people have asked you questions as to whether you will ever write on a certain subject you answer something like 'if I can find the time'. How far do you plan in front? Do you know your plans for the next 1, 2, 3 years? How many books do you work on at once? How do you decide whether it's time for Sharpe or Uhtred or anything else? One last question if I can be so bold. I am a huge fan of the thrillers. I really, really enjoyed Stormchild. Do you have plans to write any more? Once again, thankyou very much in advance, Barry Evans, Doncaster, England
I just do it! Don't think about it. I enjoy doing it, which is why I probably write so much, and that's the key. I write to entertain myself and I love what I do, and I work fairly long hours (start around 5 am and work through to about 5 pm), and it's astonishing how much work you can get through in a long day. How far do I plan ahead? About a year. I know what the next two books are - one on Uhtred and the second one is my secret - and I think about those books fairly constantly, but I don't think much farther than a year. I do know I'll probably write another Uhtred after those two, and perhaps a Sharpe after that, but it isn't certain . . . I've other stories I want to tell. I only work on one book at a time (very confusing to write two at one - I'd have Uhtred fixing bayonets) - but while I'm writing one I'm probably researching the next. How to decide whether it's time poor Uhtred or whatever? Probably instinct. Sometimes it's my publisher demanding another Sharpe or whatever. In the end, though, I write what I enjoy. No other way to do it! No plans for more sailing thrillers at the moment.
Any idea when the newest Sharpie book will be available in Australia? Thanks Theo
Sharpe's Fury should be available in Australia this September.