Your Questions

Q

Where does Sharpe's Command fit chronologically in the series? It's 1812, but when exactly in that year?

Luis Guadagnin

A

Between Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Sword.


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I love historical fiction (and non fiction) and you have become a favorite author. Uhtreds story is the first one I ever read, but I’ve read Sharpe and the series about the archer too. I also read the one about Shakespeare.

I have enjoyed The Last Kingdom on Netflix, but as it always happens, it falls short of the books. I was wondering if you have ever thought of having it made into an anime cartoon series? I could see the Japanese liking the story. It’s just an idea I had and I really think it might be very successful. For one thing, your characters can be illustrated or computer animated to be exactly as you made them. I think the Mad Bishop would be a wonderful cartoon character. The old animated Hobbit turned out better than that farce of a movie they put out a couple years ago. Anyway, thank you for your consideration and time and your wonderful stories.

Lindsey Wehr

 

A

I haven't, but I guess I should consider it?


Q

Hi Mr Cornwell.

I love all your books, and though my favorite is the Warlord trilogy I'm a great fan of Sharpe, and, fingers crossed, look forward to a tale about the battle of St Pierre d'Irube. I've read that you regret killing off Sergeant Hakeswill, yet the opportunity exists for him to feature in two more Sharpe adventures back in India. Prior to Sharpe arriving in Bombay five months before he departed India, he had the opportunity to fight in the Siege of Delhi and Battle of Deeg in 1804. It would be particularly interesting to read how a group of thugee would react to Hakeswill's scarred neck.

Best regards,

Tom O'Brennan.

A

Ah, you do tempt me, but will I yield to temptation? Not soon, that’s for sure, but thank you!


Q

Hi Bernard,

I’ve enjoyed your book since a young age, I used the watch Sharpe and I began reading the books shortly after as a teenager. I think I identified with Richard Sharpe as a Yorkshireman! I’d love to get chance to meet you and get a book signed. Any plans in 2022 for a UK Book Tour to go with your latest release in the Sharpe Series?

Kind regards,

Jordan

 

A

I think there's a good chance I'll be in the UK for a book tour this year.


Q

hi

I realised i was addicted to very specific parts of your books. I mean, you don't need compliments from me, you works are a very enjoyable read etc. But what dawn on me is that the parts that really made me think and go back to reading/listening again are those that involve conversations with sage and calm characters like Beocca Mordechai and Planchard.

 

this is almost a  personal question, but I was wondering who was/were the inspiration for these characters? If its people in you personal life (i assume so) , how did translate the guidance they gave you to fiction so - well- fluently? If the inspiration is historical figures or writers of course i would love to know who.

 

On another matter , i would like to know how you got so good at story telling. With all due respect to well researched histories, the way the story unfolds is what draws readers, and i wonder if it is something you think can be thought , or you learnt it yourself- and if so - how. Reading many well written books surely isn't the only way- i have done it for years, and i dont feel my writing got any better.

with great appreciation

David

A

They’re certainly not based on anyone I know, so I assume they’re from the imagination? But I’m grateful for the question – so thank you!

 


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I hope that this does not infringe the prohibition on ideas. However, I have enjoyed the "back stories" on Sharpe. I have always wondered why and how he came to love the 95th Rifles so much, yet when we first meet him as a Rifleman, he is the disgruntled quartermaster. Is there scope for a book or two in that obviously pivotal part of his life?

John Foster

 

Have we read the last of Sharpe's daughter Antonia? Seems like that would be an interesting relationship as she becomes a young woman.  Thank you for all the hours of enjoyment.

Michael

A

It’s a possibility – but not a certainty.

 

Again a possibility, but no promises.

 


Q

Hey Bernard,

I just recently finished your saxon stories series, it got me into reading and is the longest series I have finished. I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed the series immensely! Historical fiction sounds like a challenging genre to write. I was wondering if there was any point during the series where the actual history got in the way of something you wanted to do with the fictional characters and did you have to rewrite it or perhaps leave it out all together?

I have just started the warlord chronicles and am looking forward to reading through the trilogy and your version of Arthurian legend. Wish you all the best.

Kind Regards

Kurtis

A

I will never let history get in the way of a good story – so no, I never encountered that obstacle.  I regard my job as telling stories, which are mostly fiction, though I do try to keep the real history authentic – though am happy to ignore it if gets in the way.

 


Q

Hello Bernard,

it's the first time that I contact you. My name is Nicolas and for long time I was involved to investigate the Great Britain history, myths and legends, one of them is the legend of King Arthur and Merlin. During my investigation I read Sir Thomas Mallory version, and then I found that he based your book in the Geoffrey of Montmouth books. So I read History of the Britain's Kings ant then I found your books... And I have finished to read the warlords chronicles, and I found that Lord Derfel probably was inspired in Geoffrey of Montmouth, it is correct? I found that monastery of Dinnewrac in Powys was near to Gwent and Gwent was named Monmouthshire, for these reason I conclude that maybe Lord Derfel was inspired in Geoffrey of Montmouth. I read your trilogy of Arthur and I conclude that is the best and real history, and read the Geoffrey of Montmouth book I found similar things. Well I hope that you are well. I enjoy a lot The last Kingdom too, books and Netflix series.

I send a big hug from Uruguay, South America.

Nicolas Daoudian

 

A

It’s been years since I read Geoffrey of Monmouth, let alone Thomas Malory, but I discovered Derfel in the earliest Welsh Chronicles where he is mentioned as a companion of Arthur – he’s remembered in the place name Llanderfel in Gwynedd.


Q

I have read many of your books and have enjoyed them very much.  I am currently reading Fools and Mortals and find it very interesting since I have been involved in community theatre for many years. I am curious how you chose the surname Rust for one of the characters in the story.  My last name is Rust, which is not a very common name. My ancestor William Rust immigrated from England in the 1650’s to the Colony of Virginia.  Anyway, just curious about the name.

Thank you very much,

Arthur Rust

A

I acted for a decade in the Monomoy Theatre in Chatham, MA, now sadly defunct, and our most excellent artistic director was Alan Rust. Simple as that!

 


Q

Over the years I have read  comments from many readers asking you to finish the Starbucks series . You did promise more Starbucks at one time . I do not believe you have to hold to that promise as you have given us so much excellent writing . I do appeal to your compassion though for all of us wanting a sense of closure . So here is my solution . Why don’t you write a short story about Starbuck bumping him off ? I am sure it would be a moving piece of writing .

 

Cheers- Tom

A

I’m sorry to have broken the promise, but I really don’t plan to write any more – sorry!