Your Questions

Q

Hello, I've been a long time fan, and have recently discovered your Hellequin series, Stonehenge, and The Last Kingdom. I love the way you're able to delve into the rich history of Europe and the UK and spin a fascinating story. I don't typically find "military stories" or "war stories" to be that interesting, but for some reason, the skill with which you weave these tales has me hooked. Do you plan to write more about the history of the UK? With The Last Kingdom, you delve into the 900's CE - will there be books that explore the history prior to the 900's? Cheers, Paul

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

Probably lots more - beginning with the follow up to The Last Kingdom (with more to come). Anything prior to that? I'm not sure.

Q

Just finished a book review by Ralph Brewer, in the review Mr. Brewer stated " Another popular Civil War series, Bernard Cornwell's Starbuck has reached its sixth epic." Ohhhh No! did I some how miss 5 and 6? I have copies of 1 thru 4. Or did Mr Brewer let the cat out of the bag about forthcoming books? Yeah! Decatur Ga. I work out of town so I never get to see an Author, everytime one comes anywhere near Panama City, Fl I am at work, but finally I will be home the 5th of Feb so hope to see you there and get my prized book "Wild Track" signed. Enjoy everything you write, and truly appreciated the two short stories on Sharpe. Thanks for all the books J.S. Barber

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

No you haven't missed anything. I'm afraid Mr. Brewer is mistaken - there are still only four Starbuck books. I'll be in Decatur, GA on 10 Feb and will look forward to meeting you then.

Q

Dear Bernard, I am currently working my way through the 'Sharpe' novels, which I am really enjoying, but could you please answer the following question. In the novels the English refer to the French as 'Crapauds', how does this translate into English? If it helps in getting an answer I have also read the Warlord Chronicles and The Grail Quest Series! Best Regards, Richard & Rachel.

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

Crapaud means 'toad', and I suspect it was the first syllable that commended the nickname to the British forces. Obviously to do with 'frogs', and I suspect, but don't know, that it evolved into the current slang name for British military police - craphats.

Q

I read your Arthur series and loved the attention to detail and the affinity it gave me to the past. But as an Englishwoman, I spent the whole time reading it wishing that somebody would write something from the perspective of the Anglo-Saxons, something that told of their culture and their history. And then I found The Last Kingdom which I finished today, and it was everything I ever hoped to read. I'm reading it alongside the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and immersing myself in the history of my ancestors. It's an education and a pleasure. I really feel the desperation and the feelings of a culture 'in exile' in this book, and I was wondering whether this book and some of your past works are a result of living abroad. Are you able to see Britain and it's history and people more 'clearly' now that you are away or is that not a factor at all? Apologies for this rambling e-mail, which is just a long winded way of saying 'thank you' for giving me so much pleasure with your books. Rebecca Boorman

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

Thankyou for your kind comments! I always fear that living abroad makes me see Britain through rose-coloured spectacles; a sort of English Tourist Board view - or perhaps that's just an 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' syndrome. As for the history - my feeling is that you can live in England or New England (where I live) and the past is just as remote. The only drawback about Massachusetts is that it's a very long way to go to visit the places I write about, but that doesn't stop me. I do miss Saxon churches and Norman arches and the break of a down where Iron Age man made a fort, but sometimes I'm glad to be so far away because it means I'm not close to the destruction being visited on the British countryside.

Q

Mr Cornwell I think your novels are great and really I can't wait until the next is published. Over the past few years you developed a pattern of producing a novel every six months - a Sharpe around March followed by a complete contrast in October. I read today that there will probably not be another Sharpe until 2006/07 and the next in the Last Kingdom series will not come out until October 2005. Does this mean that you will have nothing published between now and October? John Pilkington

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

That's correct.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I first learned about your books while deployed to Iraq in 2003. I ordered "Sharpe's Tiger" and have since read all of the "Sharpe" books, the "Starbuck" books, "Redcoat" and the "Grail Quest" Series. Your writing puts the reader right in the middle of the formation, experiencing battle and life in the army at the individual level. Now to my question: Will you ever write about Sharpe's son prior to the American Civil War? You introduced him in the "Starbuck" Series. Thanks for your wonderful books. Christopher Little

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

Probably not - but never say never!

Q

I would like to say thank you for The Last Kingdom. I would never usually read fiction as I much prefer books on chinese martial arts or computing manuals, but I started reading your book over a friend's shoulder on a plane journey, grabbed the book and couldn't put it down. So, thank you for restoring my faith in fiction. Do you know yet when the next book is planned for release? Regards. Liane

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have just finished reading The Last Kingdom and enjoyed it very much and I now eagerly await the next book in the series. Could you please tell me when it will be hitting bookshops in Australia. Kind regards, Peer.

I've just finished reading The Last Kingdom. It was wonderful. Have you any idea of when the second in the series might be available? Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Anne Landon

hello, I really liked "the Last Kingdom" as I do all your books, I was just wondering when the next book is coming out? Are we going to see anymore of King Arthur? Ryan Henson

Submitted January 26, 2005

A

The second book will be published in the UK in October of this year (I believe that means it will be in Australia at that time as well). Not sure yet when it will be published in the US, but I'll let you know as soon as we find out. No plans to add to the Arthur books.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell, I have read your sea stories and thoroughly enjoyed them, can we look forward to more? Thank you, Lynn Jobin

Submitted January 21, 2005

A

Perhaps some day, but not soon.

Q

Are there any plans to make any of your other book into films (the Arthur book especially) cos they are great. Alan

Hey.. I'm a really big Bernard Cornwell fan, although here in Brazil there are only six books released. I wanted to know if there's an intention to make a movie about The Grail Quest trilogy... It'd be really awesome!! Helena

Submitted January 21, 2005

A

No plans for any films at the moment.

Q

I heard a rumor that you way be speaking at The Dekalb library in Decatur Georgia soon. Could you tell me when? I would hate to miss hearing you speak as I am a big fan of your Sharpe's series. Thank you. Tom Wolf

Submitted January 21, 2005

A

I will be there on Thursday, 10 February 2005. For complete details click on the Diary link on this website. I'll look forward to seeing you there!