Your Questions

Q

Hello, dear Mister Cornwell - I've recently discovered your work through Sharpe's videos and I've started reading your books after that. I must admit that I really enjoy reading them and I've told many people about them. However, I live in France. As I am an English teacher, there is no real problem for me to read in English, but I know several persons who would like to read your books in French and I've discovered that too few of your books were translated in French (especially the Sharpe's stories). Maybe you could do something to develop your publications in French, don't you think? (even if the French army is the enemy of Richard Sharpe...lol.). Thank you for reading my message and thank you for sharing so exciting stories with us! Caroline Kahel.

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

Thank you for your kind words. Although a number of my books have been translated to French - the French publishers do not seem interested in the Sharpe books. Wonder why that is??

Q

Dear Bernard, I'm a fan of your Sharpe books and at present, I'am trying to read them all (I'm reading Sharpes Escape now!). I was wondering whether you had any plans to release any other Sharpe books? I got into reading the series when my friend let me borrow Sharpe Rifles on DVD. After this I noticed that the story in the books started before the films. So I was also wondering whether you knew of any other films of Sharpe to be released? I await your reply, Terry.

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

There may be a new Sharpe film next year - nothing's definite yet - but I'll keep you posted. More Sharpe books? Yes!

Q

Bernard, I love your style of writing and own every (I think) book that you have written. I even have your old sea thriller books (they were a chore to find). Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to your new one, The Last Kingdom. I wished I could get it now but it won't be in the states until Jan. I do have a question. I have been reading the books by Susannah Kells, now is that you, or your wife? I initially started reading the Sharpe's series when I was on duty as a Paramedic, working 24 hr shifts. I can't work on an ambulance anymore due to blowing my knee out on the job. I have been reading alot during my recovery and started to reread your old books. Keep up the good work! Mickey

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

My wife and I co-wrote the books published under the name Susannah Kells.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I am an enthusiastic fan of all of your writing. In the US we are taught that the American Civil war was the first "modern" war. Factors such as railroad supply and troop movement, Ironclad steam powered ships, the first submarine, and Grant's and Sherman's tactics are usually sited. I wondered if English history makes the case for the Peninsular war as a "modern" war because of the use of the rifle, improved artillery and Wellington's tactics. Steven Hall

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

I think it would be a hard case to make! The rifle wasn't used in sufficient quantity to drive men to ground (i.e. take cover), the artillery wasn't rifled, and the tactics used would have been very familiar to Marlborough's men of a hundred years before! I think the American Civil War is far more revolutionary in nature.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell- I am a great fan of your books, especially the Warlord chronicles and A Crowning Mercy. Have you ever considered writing a story set in Ancient Egypt? It was such an amazing period in history and there is far more to it than just the mummification and death rituals. Another question- how do you find the sheer strength of will to persevere with chapter after chapter of novel after novel? Phillip Pullman has said something about pigheadedness in a writer being the difference between an amateur and a professional- what's your take on that? Sophia

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

I do sometimes think about ancient Egypt, then lie down until the temptation passes. I doubt I'll ever do it, though it is fascinating - truly fascinating - but so far off my radar screen that I'm not sure I'll ever do the necessary work. Strength of will? The alternative to writing the next chapter is to go out and get a proper job, so I never think of it as a chore. It's a pleasure! Honest! I do think it's a matter of luck - many 'amateur' writers would be succesful professionals if they got the breaks. At first - writing the first book - some blind pigheadedness helps because you have no idea whether it's going to work. But I'm really glad Philip Pullman is pigheaded (if he really is) because I like his books.

Q

Hi, I first stumbled upon your books when I was given a gift voucher for a local store here in Northern Ireland. So of course I bought the last in the Arthur series (typical), so I read them backwards and still enjoyed every minute. Since then I have read your Starbuck series, Stonehenge and Grail Quest series as has my Dad. Family members keep buying me the Sharpe ones as gifts and I just wish there was more time so I could get to read them all. I have ordered my husband to buy me your new book for Christmas so I eagerly await this as does my father. I keep telling him if he buys it he will get to read it faster but I think he gets satisfaction from pinching my copy. Anyhow we were discussing your grail quest novels the other night and were interested to know whether there is going to be a fourth. I would just like to congratulate you on the historical masterpieces that you have supplied the wrld with and hope they keep coming. Olwyn McClure

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

Thank you for your kind message. No plans for a fourth Grail Quest book.

Q

Exactly how old is Richard Sharpe after Waterloo? Are there any conflicts he could have go onto as I have found this snippet and wondered if this could be another area for adventure 1808. 13th Foot. They arrived from England in March, 1808, but left in November to help attack Martinique in the French West Indies. Keep up with the great Sharpe stories, any chance of coming to Carlisle to do a signing?? Ian Winter Carlisle

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

Sharpe is 38 at Waterloo. Martinique? Probably not, because it would mean going backwards again, and once is enough! Not sure Sharpe would have liked the West Indies - nice beaches, nice people and all that - but the deaths from yellow fever were horrific. No plans to be in Carlisle right now - but maybe someday!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell This summer I've read your 'Harlequin' and 'Vagabond' and they are simply amazing! Thomas is one of the best characters that I've ever met in all these years of novels; and the plots are so engaging that once I've start reading it's impossible to leave it. Yesterday, on your website, I've found out that you've already written the third novel, 'Heretic'. I'd like to know when it will be available here in Italy because I'm so eager to read it that, if will take a long time to arrive here, I prefer buy it in the original version! In the last month I read the Excalibur novels and I loved them but the story doesn't have a real ending what will happen to Nimue and who will become king instead of Mordred? Perhaps I'm too curious. One last question a friend of mine, the one that lent me all your novels, your most affectionate reader I suppose, has discovered that you've written dozen of books about Sharpe so why, here in Italy, only five books had been published? Thanks a lot for the time you've spent with my e-mail, Good work! Costanza

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

Sorry I don't know when Heretic will be published in Italy but it should be out soon. I understand a few more Sharpe books should be available in Italy soon as well - Sharpe's Prey and Sharpe's Havoc. The ending of the Warlord Chronicles? It's left up to the reader...

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I very much enjoy your novels, and have read all the Sharpe series, the Grail Quest series, and Gallows Thief. I have also watched all of the Sharpe movies. Have you ever considered making one last movie? Sharpe's Devil. It would be a great finish to an excellent series. Sean Bean made a perfect Sharpe, even as a blond. Very much looking forward to the new novel. Thank you, Tracey

Submitted October 29, 2004

A

It is up to the filmmakers - but there's been no talk of a 'Sharpe's Devil' film.

Q

I haven't been reading you for long but I am already enthralled by your books. I loved "the Grail Quest" books but I agree with you saying that Thomas's story has really ended. I have also read a couple of the famous Sharpe novels and have just started up on "the Winter King". I just want to ask if you have been offered the chance to have any of your books (apart from Sharpe, which is already a TV series) turned into movies? I know the a movie of books such as "Heretic" will never be as good as the book but maybe if people like the movie then they will start to read your books, which is what often happens when movies based on books are made. Also, do you know if it is true that ITV are making a second series of "Sharpe" based on the India books? I know this email is getting a bit long so I'll end it with why do you deem it nessecary for your main characters to always be able to read and write? I do hope you will continuously produce books on historical events twisted to go along with your character's adventures for History has never been so interesting. Robert Eyre

Submitted October 27, 2004

A

No movie plans at the moment - although a new Sharpe film has been talked about. Reading and writing? Sharpe had to if he was to be promoted. Could Derfel? Can't remember. The new one? Because Alfred insisted on it.