FAQ

Q

In your latest Sharpe book is the character of the now missing Dodd based on the character from the Forester book 'Rifleman Dodd'? Will he by any chance turn up. Is he based on the real Dodd? Lee Brake

Just wondering if there was any further significance to Rifleman Matthew Dodd's disapperance in chapter 4 of Sharpe's Escape? Great Fan by the way. D. Boen

Submitted April 26, 2004

A

He is indeed meant to be the same Rifleman Dodd who goes missing at the beginning of Death to the French. Will he turn up? You have to read Forester to find out what happened to him.

Q

Are they filming more Sharpe? Patrick

Submitted April 16, 2004

A

There is talk of it, so hope springs eternal in the human breast.

Q

Thomas of Hookton; OK, so you have finished with the quest for the holy grail, but this giant of a man, this wonderful character... You have said that he will return. I know that Heretic came out in October 2003, but that is nearly three months ago! Must you sleep at nights? Must you stop writing to have your Christmas dinner? I am an Englishman who has retired to the depths of Wales. During the winter months, I am a 'rainbird' in Florida. I have only recently discovered your wonderful works (although I already knew about Sharpe). If you have the time to reply, I would dearly love to know if you have started off with another Thomas book. Best wishes for the new year, and may your mind continue to run through your pen. Tony Allison.

Submitted March 1, 2004

A

Herewith the bad news. I have started another Thomas of Hookton book, then stopped it - mainly because I felt that his story ended in Heretic and I was just trying to get too much for him. Which doesn't mean I won't pick the idea up again sometime in the future, but I hate to tell you that there won't be another Thomas of Hookton book this year - or next. But there will be something else and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Q

I've just finished reading the Gallows Thief and really enjoyed it, are there any plans to write another book about Capt. Rider Sandman?? Martin Wright

Submitted February 2, 2004

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed the book. There may be another, but I don't know when just yet.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to write you a brief note to let you know how much I enjoy your books. I stumbled across Sharpe's Tiger a few years ago, and then proceeded through the whole series as fast as I could. I have since gone on to read most of your books and I find your stories and style very much to my liking. I do have one question for you, one that I am sure you are asked often. I was wondering if anyone has approached you to make a movie, or more specifically a trilogy of films based upon the Arthur Books? In light of what has been done with the Lord of the Rings, I think that your series would make an excellent set of films. Anyway, thank you very much for all the wonderful stories and characters. I look forward to your future publications with great anticipation. Best Regards, Dave Farrow

Submitted September 11, 2003

A

It's been talked about, but no film of the Warlord Chronicles is currently in the works. I do greatly appreciate your message!

Q

I'm thoroughly enjoying the Arthur series, and am halfway through the second book. Do you have any suggestions for a guide to the phonetic pronunciations of the various names.

Submitted July 12, 2003

A

This is probably the best help I can give with the pronunciations for the names in the Warlord Trilogy. I took the names from all sorts of sources, many of them ancient Welsh, but then the first audio-book was recorded and I was besieged by e-mails and faxes from the producers wanting to know how to pronounce Gorfyddyd and Culhwch, and I began to wish I'd called them Fred or Charlie. A Welsh-speaking friend dealt with the pronunciation enquiries, for which I am very grateful, and the list below is, to the best of my recollection, what was recommended. Not every name here is Welsh - some, like Aelle or Cerdic, are Saxon. I've only included the ones that seem to give the most difficulty and I have not attempted to cast them in any recognisable phonetic alphabet, and if any Welsh readers are mightily offended then please write and correct us!

Aelle - Ay (rhyme with bay) - ella

Ailleann - Eileen

Bleiddig - Blethig

Broceliande - Brossell-ee-ander

Caddwyg - Cathig

Cei - Kay

Ceinwyn - Kine-win

Cerdic - Serdic

Culhwch - Cull-hooch (guttural, as in Scottish loch)

Cuneglas - Cooner-Glass

Cyllan - Killen

Cythryn - Kith-rin

Cywyllog - Coo-ee-thlog

Dafydd ap Gruffud - Davv-id ap Gruffuth

Derfel - Der-vel

Diwrnach - Deer-nack

Erce - Err-chay

Gereint - Gerr-aint

Gofannon - Go - vannen

Gorfyddyd - Gor-vithid

Gwenhywach - Gwenn-high-arc (guttural)

Gwlyddyn - Gulithin

Gwynnedd - Gwinnith

Halcwum - Hal-coom

Helledd - Helleth

Hywel - Hugh-ell

Llywarch - Thly-warch

Lwellwyn - Thluellen

Lyonesse - Lee-on-ess

Manawydan - Manna-vidden

Oengus Mac Airem - Oingus Mac Air-em

Ui Liathain - Oo-ee Lith-ain

Q

I just bought the Sharpe movies and was going to watch them in order. I used the book list you have on your website for the correct order, but it doesn't seem right. E.g., you have Sharpe's Gold before Sharpe's Company, but in Sharpe's Gold he's a major and Wellington is about to invade France....

Submitted May 15, 2003

A

Yes well the filmmakers did change the order somewhat for the films (as was their right), so the book order is correct on this website but the film order is different. It is my understanding that the order for the films goes something like this: 'Rifles'; 'Eagles'; 'Company'; 'Enemy'; 'Honour'; 'Gold'; 'Battle'; 'Sword'; 'Regiment'; 'Siege'; 'Mission'; 'Revenge'; 'Justice'; 'Waterloo', 'Challenge' and 'Peril'.

Q

Why is the film version of Sharpe's Gold so different than the book? Will you write a book about 'Sweet William'?

Submitted April 7, 2003

A

I don't plan to write a book on Sweet William - it's a nice idea, but I don't think it will happen. The story behind the film version of Sharpe's Gold - when they were filming it the actor who was first cast as Sharpe broke his leg. Filming had to stop while an insurance claim was made. Sean Bean then replaced the original actor, but the producers decided that if they re-shot the original script the insurance company would claim they had suffered no real loss. So that script was abandoned.

Q

You did write under another name for a while so could you let me know what that name was and what books you wrote?

Submitted March 27, 2003

A

My wife and I co-wrote some books years ago until she got fed up with the process, and they were published under the name Susannah Kells - A Crowning Mercy, Fallen Angels and Coat of Arms (Aristocrats in the US). The first two are being republished this year and next by HarperCollins in the UK (where the cover will say the books are by Bernard Cornwell and Susannah Kells). The first one ain't bad.

Q

What advice can you give to a would be writer?

Submitted March 13, 2003

A

For advice about writing, you may want to click the following link: writing advice