Your Questions

Q

Hornblower fan,just found Sharpe.I can't put them down.I felt strongly enough about your writing to ask you if world war one as a topic ever crossed your desk. I think it deserves and begs your pen! Thankyou...Jim

A

Thanks for your message. I have given it some thought, but a WWI book is not in my plans although I agree it's a worthy topic.


Q

Mr.Cornwell, why are your characters(Sharpe,Uhtred.Ragnar[Father]) are So much Stressed? John Axe, from Brazil.Keep up the excellent writing!

A

Because they are heroes in novels! If they weren't stressed there'd be no story!!


Q

I discovered the Sharpe TV series and watched them all. Fell in love with Sharpe. Now I'm about to start reading the books. Do you like what they did with the series on British television? Do you feel that Sean Bean portrayed Sharpe as you envisioned him?
Debbie

A

I liked the films - and am glad the script-writers felt free to invent whatever they wanted. I'm not saying I wouldn't rather have the screen-writers slavishly follow my books, but on the other hand they have constraints I don't have. It costs me nothing to produce an army, but they have to hire extras! And Sean Bean is terrific!


Q

Dear Bernard You have written about the Saxon invasions and now the Viking invasions but I wondered if you will ever write about the Battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings. You are Britain's top historical writer and it could be argued those two battles are the most important in our history. And some previous posters have mentioned the English civil wars I have to ask if you did would you write from the Royalist or Roundhead perspective????? And out of the 4 considered top commanders from both sides Fairfax/Cromwell/Rupert and Montrose who in your opinion was best of the bunch????? BTW I have just read and can really recommend Prince Rupert the Last Cavalier by Charles Spencer it really is very good and might tempt you even more to write about that period. All the best Tony

A

Don't know . . . . don't know . . . don't know, more or less the answers to your questions! I'm fascinated by the Saxons and the making of England, much less by the Normans, and I think you have to be fascinated by a period to write about it. Civil War? It's a possibility, but I'd have to spend a few years researching it. And which side? Well I hate puritans.


Q

Hi Bernard, Just saw the U.S. cover for the new novel on your website and I was wondering if there was any chance of a sneak preview of the U.K. cover? Cheers. Nick Grant.

A

Sure Nick - as soon as we get it from the publisher, we'll post it!


Q

Love your books and style esp. Stonehenge, Grail Quest, Arthur Books and the Saxon Stories. I believe there is book 4 of the latter due out soon. Have you any thoughts on which era you will be basing your next series on? I love the atmosphere you generate and the real sense of being in the story and experiencing the narrative. Garry Reeves

A

Too early to say just yet...


Q

Dear Bernard, I'm at a lull in reading your books and was wondering if you had ever considered writing a novel with a female lead? I have noticed that the females you do write about are strong in their own right, not just there as a damsel in distress. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Brooke Morey

A

A Crowning Mercy? Fallen Angels? They both have female central characters. And yes, I could be tempted into writing another . . thanks


Q

Good day to you Sir.I´ve just started reading Simon Scarrows "Eagles" series set in the Roman 2nd legion.On the covers of these books you are quoted as saying,"I don´t need this sort of competition".Is this really a quote from yourself or just publishers Bumpf!! Maybe you should give Mr Scarrow some real competition and write a Roman Britain novel yourself.I also hear that a new American civil war book is planned,will Henri Lassan be making a come back? I do hope you find time to answer my questions,I wish you and yours best wishes and keep up the wonderful work. Anthony Lambert

A

The words are mine, I've read Simon's books and I enjoy them. No plans to write a Roman novel myself. Lassan, however, will be back!


Q

I am working my way through the sharpe series and thought trafalgar was a solid entry. Enjoyable to see sharpe trying out his sea legs. Do you have a personal favorite in the series? And is there a sharpe story that you were dissapointed with, or that wasn't as well received as you had hoped?

Michael Calkins

A

I was never very fond of Devil . . . . .

My favourite Sharpe book? I really like Seige, but I also really like Tiger, and Regiment and Trafalgar and Company, and many others. But my favourite Sharpe book is always the next one...


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, recently Sharpes Havoc has been published in Italy. I read it and I think it is a beautiful book (but my favourite book remains Sharpes Tiger). When will be published in Italy the next Sharpes book or another your book? Sorry for my English. Federico a Cornwells Italian fan.

A

The Pale Horseman is scheduled to be released in Italy in autumn 2007. I'm afraid I don't know when the next Sharpe book may be released there? Possibly early next year?