Your Questions

Q

Did you ever acknowlege in any book the daughter that Sharpe had...or was this just for television? Mary

Submitted December 2, 2004

A

Sharpe's daughter, Antonia, is in several Sharpe books - I believe she is first mentioned in Sharpe's Company.

Q

Greetings and salutations from the land down under, I'm glad to see that in Sharpe's Regiment our little country of Australia got a mention, even if Major Sharpe did not get posted here. Somehow I don't think our 216 year old history of English colonisation would have been turbulent or interesting enough for Richard and Sergeant Harper, so it's a blessing he wasn't sent to this particular colony. My question is this - I have 17 of the Sharpe's series now, excepting Havoc and Escape. In addition to being an exceptionally good read they also look quite good all lined up on my bookcase, which I take pride in. Unfortunately they all have the paperback covers by David Scutt, and I cannot seem to locate the last two that I am missing in this particular style. Will I have to break up the visual continuity and uniformity of my collection to complete the set, or are Havoc and Escape available in the covers with the David Scutt illustrations? With warmest regards, James Musgrave Australia

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

The word from my UK publisher is that all the Sharpe books will eventually be available in the new jacket style (as seen on Sharpe's Havoc and Sharpe's Escape). They do not plan to publish Havoc or Escape with a David Scutt illustration.

Q

Dear Bernard, I recently re-watched the Sharpe TV series for the first time since it was originally released. I am also enjoying the novels for the first time (so many! - the next few months of my life will be bliss!). My question is: do you have Sean Bean in mind when you write new Sharpe material? I suspect not as he is your creation, but I'm afraid my imagination is somewhat more limited and I can't help but see him (and especially Pete Postlethwaite for Hawkeswill) when I read the books. How, if at all, has the series affected your writing? Tom Sugden

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

I still see Sharpe as I first described him - black haired, scarred, etc, but I now hear Sean Bean's voice when I write him.

Q

I would really enjoy reading some more of the life of Nicholas Sandman. Enjoyed Killer's Wake but want to find out what happened to Nicholas. Thanks for the enjoyable hours of reading. Regards, Dave

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

I imagine he lived happily ever after - probably still out there, sailing somewhere.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I am a great fan of your work and last year I started writing my first Novel. It's a medievil epic but I had to stop and make some major changes when I read Harlequin and Vagabond because there were some notable similarities. Then I read Heretic and gave up trying to write the damn thing because many of the changes I made (or things I had not needed to change) then suddenly cropped up in Heretic. If I ever finish it and have it published I thought I'd warn you that similarities are purely coincidental. So please don't sue me. Alisdair McGregor PS Is Captain Sandman ever going to appear again, or is Thomas of Hockton going to return as an archer leader (maybe a litte older fighting at Poitiers)? Alisdair McGregor

Love your books. Any news on a new Grail Quest book coming out..... Thanks again!! Oliver Spencer

Hello Bernard. I have really enjoyed your Grail Quest series and was wandering if there were any more to come after Heretic, I really hope there is. Many Thanks and best wishes Love Jo xxx

hello I just wanted to ask when you're going to come out with a new grail quest book??. and to tell you that I just got done with Winter King and it was great!!!. It was so much better than Once and Future King that I'm going out to buy the next one as soon as I can!. thanks again, James

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

No more Grail Quest books - the story is done. Although there might be another book featuring Thomas of Hookton sometime in the future (no promises!). Another adventure for Captain Sandman is also a possibility.

Q

Will Sharpe ever meet Hornblower and have an adventure together? Luis Lantieri

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

It's not likely - it would prove to be a copyright nightmare.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed reading The Grail Series. I was educated in the forties and fifties when medieval history was barely touched upon. My interest was awakened when my daughter gained a Masters degree in Medieval History at London University three years ago. As a budding writer I take an interest in the styles of published authors; not to copy their ideas but to teach me the requirements of various publishers and editors. I am a member of several internet writing groups where I am being advised about the subtle changes in writing styles supposedly being put forward by today's editors. One being the overuse of passive verbs such as had and was. This is most disconcerting when I pick up a recently published book off a shelf and find this new style has been ignored to the point where the book has been shortlisted for some prize or other. Do I write the way I want and take these changes with a pinch of salt, or do I heed the bleatings of these apparently learned experts? I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter and whether you have come across this kind of hiccup in your past years of writing. Thanks a lot Dorothy

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

A pinch of salt? How about a mountain of salt!! Ignore all that rubbish!! And it is rubbish. What editors want are good stories, good stories and good stories, Just that, and the incidences of 'had' and 'was' never enters their minds. Write the way you want, write what you want to read, tell it well, have fun and remember that writing is a solitary occupation. You don't do it in groups, you do it by yourself, so ignore everyone and everything and have a good time!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My husband and I are great fans, have read and re-read all your Sharpe Books. 19th Century British Military history has long been a favorite subject and you truly bring it to life. In several place you refer to the "foot wraps" used. In the uniform lists I've seen (granted they are not extensive) I've only seen stockings listed. Were the wraps standard issue or anemergency item? Also I've been searching for "The Sharpe Companion" and I find it listed as "Volume one, The early years" or just as The Sharpe Companion. Can you clalify for me if it is the same book with a subtitle or was more than one volume written? Thank you for the many hours of great reading. As my husband is an army veteran (of 50 years ago), he has really enjoyed and apreciated your wonderful books. Especially the references to the Riflemen. Roberta Parker

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

I suspect that stockings were issued, but wore out fast, so unless you were rich enough to have sufficient spare pairs you were reduced to foot-cloths or blisters.
The Sharpe Companion - Vol. One, The Early Years is a revised and expanded edition of the original Sharpe Companion. I believe a second volume is planned but I don't know if it's available yet.

Q

Hi, I'm from Brazil and really enjoyed your books about Thomas of Hookton. One thing I always do when I'm reading history books is look over names and places in other literatures to find out more about them. I was looking over the name of Charles of Blois, mentioned in the second book of the trilogy. What I found out about him is that Charles of Blois, son of Guy de Chantillon, count of Blois, was imprisoned by John de Montfort. Am I right? Am I talking about the same person mentioned in your book? Bernard, you describe the battles so well, that I was almost caught by my mom making the sound of arrows hitting the bone of a warrior, as I was reading the books. And, yes, I do compare you to other authors, like Steven Pressfield and Conn Iggulden, your compatriot, but , indeed, in some aspects, like battle descriptions, you can stick the readers to hours of fun and excitement. Thanks. Fabiano

Submitted December 1, 2004

A

Thank you for your message! Charles of Blois was imprisoned in England - along with the King of France and the King of Scotland, but I can't tell you offhand whether John de Montfort was his jailer - sorry.

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