Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell- I know it isn't your decision, but do you have any idea why the new Saxon novel isn't being published in the US till 6 months after the UK publication, while the new Sharpe seems to be coming out earlier in the US than the UK? Or why we in the US have to wait until September to see a shortened version of the new Sharpe film? Thanks, Jack

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

You're right - it isn't my decision. But it all goes something like this - the UK decided to publish The Lords of the North now - I'm not sure entirely why, but perhaps they didn't want to let it sit until 2007. Meanwhile the US publisher decided to bring out Sharpe's Fury to coincide with the climax of the Sharpe TV series on BBC America (will it be a shortened version of 'Sharpe's Challenge'? I thought we'd get to see the whole thing!). The UK then decided to bring that book out at the same time . . . . it's all a bit of a mess, but one day we'll all be marching in step.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, although there is no merit table to effectively gauge the performance and battlefield ability of the German element in the King's Army is it true that they could hold their own with most of the other British units and regiments? For from what I've so far read in your awesome books concerning their presence and contribution the Germans certainly came across as brave, tough, formidable and steadfast! You brilliantly detailed how they did their job and thus their duty, yet could they at all match the ferocity, supreme courage and expertise of the Irish, kilted Scots Highlanders and English soldiers? I'm sure that there is no answer being that there was no merit table, but maybe you might know something of this particular subject in how the Germans compared to the rest? Thank you very much and all the best, Taylor from Quincy! ps-if you're too busy to respond I totally understand.

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

The Kings German Legion was reckoned to be utterly reliable - as staunch in battle as British or Portuguese troops. Their cavalry, on the other hand, was reckoned much better! They were more disciplined than the British cavalry that had a terrible habit of enthusiastic pursuit once their immediate object was gained - witness Waterloo. The British cavalry was fine when well-led (at Salamanca), but the Germans were reckoned to be the best.

Q

Master Cornwell, hi! How are you? Is everything ok with you and Mrs. Judy? My name is Eduarda (like someone cares... ), and I'm from Brazil ( bad excuse to my mistakes ). Well, I know I'm going to sound like those stupid girls, but I can't help it... maybe I am a stupid girl after all. I really love your writing - I was going to say "you", but I've just discovered that you resemble Hakeswill. (That somehow managed to scare me). Ok, hm, the first book I've read - yours, of course, not my first book ever (that would be: "Alphabet, a joy". Which I loved, by the way) - It was the Arthur Books. Still my favorites. Maybe because it changed my mind about Arthur's legend being boring (the others I've read were some kid's books, and Mists of Avalon. It's not a bad book, but I had something over 9 years when I read it, so I really didn't understand a word. ) and Lancelot was the bastard! Finally, because I always liked Arthur, and usually the books put him as a heartless bastard and Lancelot as the poor victim of Morgana´s charm. Though Arthur is not my favorite character& It's Issa. How weird is that? He barely shows up! I wonder..: - Have you already killed a character and regret later or just felt sad?

- If you could change something about the books, what would it be?

- And about Sharpe films, which is your favorite aspect?? And the less favorite?

- Which is your favorite character among all your books? Which one is your favorite in each book/series?? -Which is your favorite battle/war?? And which is your favorite historical event? -And your favorite food? Just kidding (there's no need to call the police).

- Fast, quote a phrase: -What do you think of Orlando Paes (please, tell me you've never heard about him)? -You don't have any kids, right? Why not? -You already got the Green Card? You live in USA for years now. -Can you send me an autographed photo?? I would ask to autograph one of my books, but my edition has this really nice cover, the new one is different & I don't want it to get lost! I could always take the cover off, but my book it's too precious, I'd end up killing the postman ( Still, there's no need to call the police). So, I guess that's it. Thank you, good luck (to you and Mrs. Judy) and good bye ( I hope you show up in Brazil someday&). Eduarda

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

Hello, Eduarda! Yes - I felt terrible sadness after Derfel's daughter died, and I hugely regret having killed off Obadiah Hakeswill because really good (ie bad) villains don't drop off trees and I could have used him again in later books . . . .my mistake.

I would have started writing Sharpe with the Indian novels and then kept going chronologically so I didn't face the constant problem of introducing characters and events in, say, 1811, which aren't in the books set in, say, 1812.

I think my favourite aspect is the cast - how lucky can a man be to have actors like Sean Bean, Darragh O'Malley and Pete Postlethwaite - and all the others! My least favourite aspect? Probably what the script did to Sharpe's Gold.

I'm not sure I have a favourite character - I like all my main ones! Obviously I have a strong feeling for Sharpe, because we've been together for so long, but I feel hugely fond of Starbuck, Derfel, Uhtred, Rider Sandman and Thomas of Hookton . . . . not much help to you there! Favourite battle or war? I'll stick with Salamanca or Waterloo and the Napoleonic wars. Favourite historical event? No idea! Never thought about it. Roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

Um, never heard of him. Sorry. I do have one child, a daughter, who is about to make me a grandfather, which is nice. And I've lived in the USA (as a citizen) for over 25 years. I'd be happy to send you a photo - and maybe I will get to visit Brazil one of these days...

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, look forward to the next Saxon novel as I getting brought from the U.K. Joseph Conrad wrote a short story called " A point of Honour" about two of Napoleons officers who fought a series of duels from 1801 to about 1820[?] till one managed to kill the other. This was made into a wonderful movie called The Duellists. Film by Ridley Scott. One of the officers, during the war with England ,was posted to Spain. Was wondering if Mr Sharpe is going to bump into Gabriel Florian Feraud? Also liked your book A Crowning Mercy. Some of the nasty buggers in it and the twisted justice reminded me of my old army boarding school in northern Germany. It helped put the past in the past. Do hope you do a Robin Hood trilogy. Thanks for the writing.
Nicholas Langrick

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

I don't have any plans for them to meet - though I enjoyed both the story and the film. Maybe . . . it's a thought!

Robin Hood is, as the Irish say, on the long finger. A very long finger, though. He does intrigue me, but I need to do a lot of work on the sources (which go back, I think, to the 11th Century, though the stories, as we have them, are set much later). Thank you!

Q

I found "Lords of the North" in my local Ottaker's today and have just finished it. A great read . . . thank you very much. Since you have mentioned several times that you are descended from the Ango-Saxon high reeves of Bamburgh, I wondered if you have read "Bloodfeud" by Richard Fletcher (published 2001), which deals with the blood feud following the murder of a later Uhtred in 1016. It is one of the better works on medieval history I have read.
John

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

I have read it - twice! And you're right - it is one of the better books on early mediaeval England. Tragically Richard Fletcher died after writing it. The Uhtred who is murdered in that book was part of my family . . . and last week I was privileged to meet the present owner of Bamburgh Castle (at the castle) and he turned out to be an incredibly nice man, so I guess I'm not going to lead a shield wall and try to take it back.

Q

A friend of mine suggested I read the books in the grail series. I was so gripped by them that I finished all three books in about 10 days. I throughly enjoyed them and look forward to delving into your other books. As I finished Heretic I was left with a couple questions. Jeanette is a big part of the archer's tale and vagabond, but only mentioned once in the heretic and even that reference was fleeting. Did you do that by design? Second, and I'm not sure if this is really a question but I'm interested to know what happened to Thomas and Genevieve. In Heretic Thomas states a few times he loves her but there isn't much to suggest that Genevieve loved him. It even makes reference that she didn't like being naked with him. I guess the story has to end somewhere and the last few sentences left me with a wide imagination. Especially since you wrote that Thomas took her hand. My last question is now that I am finished the grail series is there another series that you would suggest I read next? Thank You, Dallas Smith

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

I think Jeanette served her purpose (whatever that was) and I couldn't really find a place for her in the later books - that happens sometimes. As for Genevieve - I like to think she and Thomas lived happily ever after.

Perhaps you'd be interested in the Saxon stories?

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell! In the wake of all the Da Vinci Code hysteria, I would love to hear your take on the whole thing. Given that Dan Brown's version of the grail story is so very different from your wonderful Quest trilogy, did you enjoy his stories or find any historical merit in them? And I'm also rather curious as to whether you came across this whole Sang Real theory thingy yourself in the research for your books, but couldn't lend any credence to it? If you're one of those people tired of the whole hype, sorry for being so annoying, and feel free to ignore my questions! But thanks if you have anything to say...Becky Sugden

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

I've tried to keep quiet about the whole thing! But since you ask . . . . yes, I know a great deal about the historical and theological background to The Da Vinci Code and my considered, sober opinion is that it's a load of schlock from the glop-hopper. It's almost impossible to know where to begin listing the egregious errors, none of which would matter if it were not for the foreword which makes claims for the truth of the fiction. I hate to offend anyone with this opinion, and I admire Dan Brown for his scintillating success, but the truth? Anything but.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Though I'm sure you hear it all too often, I'd like to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. I've read as much as my budget allows so far (Warlord, Saxon Chronicals, Starbuck, Grail Quest, and about half of Sharpe), and I've yet to read one I didn't enjoy throughly. I've lent out many of the books to friends, and they all feel the same way, and I've passed more than one test at school with knowledge I've gained through your work. There are two things I'd like to ask you. Firstly, how long does it usually take you to complete one of your stories, from beginning to end and are there any motivational tools you use if you find yourself behind schedule?

Secondly, I'm curious to know if you have any recommendations for other authors that fans of yours might enjoy. Thank you for your time in reading this. Tasha

Submitted May 30, 2006

A

Usually five months. Behind schedule? Don't know. Doesn't happen often, and anyway the book is it's own imperative - if it is behind schedule (and I can't really remember any being badly behind) it's probably because the plot isn't working, and there's no way to hurry that - you just keep going until it comes right. If that takes longer than five months, so be it . . . but it's usually around that.

For lots of fabulous recommendations, be sure to take a look at the Reading Club pages of this website (my recommendations are included there).

Q

Wow! Just finished reading Lords of the North and, as usual, I absolutely loved it! I wanted to read it very slowly, but found myself staying up far too late at night turning pages in a frenzy. It was fantastic! I had hoped to save it for my holiday next week, but now I shall have to find alternative novels to read. Am I wrong in thinking that it's not the final book in the series? I have a feeling that there is a lot left for Uhtred to discover and battle against. Or am I just wishful in my thinking? Many thanks for writing such a wonderful book. I was introduced to your books by my Dad who gave me The Winter King a long time ago. Since then I have read everything you've written and I appreciate your skill of story telling so much. Hannah Richards

Submitted May 26, 2006

A

Thank you Hannah. No, you are not wrong - there will be more to Uhtred's story.

Q

Dear Sir Following a random chat with a colleague at work one day in the lift, I happened to learn a very interesting fact. Apparently, she had been reading one of your books and a character named Ferrelyn appeared in it. This is amazing news to me as, is obviously apparent, my name is Ferrelyn, and has been for 33 years. During the past 10 years I have been unable to trace the meaning or derivation of my name. As you can tell from my email address, it has always made me stand out from the crowd! My father found the name in The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. However, as he is no longer with us my search has floundered. I have always believed Ferrelyn to be of Celtic origin; but not Welsh, according to The National Library of Wales in Aberyswyth. Can you shed any light on this - as I am constantly asked about my name whenever I meet new people? Yours most gratefully Ferrelyn Chambers

Submitted May 26, 2006

A

I don't remember using the name Ferrelyn! Do you know which book? I used the name Ferrugus in Sharpe's Escape, but I just don't recall Ferrelyn (though it's a lovely name).