Your Questions

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell, I saw 'Sharpe's War' on the History Channel today for the first time. It was a bundle of interesting atmospheric information that gives the audience a true insight into the Peninsular War. Will their ever be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal roots or take him on another journey after the Napoleonic Wars? Possibly, if you are interested, you could write a book about Sharpe meeting Harper in Dublin where they would visit the quiet and barren rocky Vinegar Hill in Wexford where the well-armed King's forces overwhelmed the Irish rebels under Father John Murphy and his Irish forces in 1798. You could put it that Harper becomes overwhelmed in emotion and Sharpe cheers him up or something like that. You could put a plot about a notorious Dublin Castle spy linking a relation of Harper's to the United Irishmen or some other rebel outfit. It might not have to be the same story line but it could occur before the Famine of 1845 where you could have the Harper family emigrating to the good old USA and give a final parting to the Sharpe-Harper friendship. Well, it's only an idea. You see, Irish fans got well excited when you place a lot of Irishness in your books. Maybe even a few chapters in Ireland to meet Harper would be interesting. By the way, when do you think the next few Sharpe's will be out? Thanks a million Good Luck. Colum O'Rourke p.s Harlequin and the Grail stories have my mother preoccupied for the time being, thank God.

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

There may be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal root, but probably not another one that takes him on a journey after the wars - or Sharpe and Harper in Ireland. I suspect I'll begin the next Sharpe book this autumn. Give my best to your Mum!

Q

Dear Bernard After reading on your website that you might not get Sharpe to Albuera, I had to write in,Speaking a fan of your work please please reconsider. Albuera was argubly the toughest, bloodiest (and from a readers perspective dramatic) stand up struggle in the Peninsular war and since it must be admitted that Soult out generalled Beresford it really showed the qualties of "that astonshing infantry" who won the battle and who did not know when they were beaten. It would seem a crime for Sharpe to miss that one in my humble opinion. I would also ask if you had ever given any thought of Sharpe going up against Suchet on the East coast?? On a change of subject In regards to the Starbuck series your books got me interested in the US Civil War and after reading several books I got interested about battles in the west and some of the famous names (on the Southern side) like Bedford Forrest (Real life Cavalry version of Sharpe??) and Patrick Cleburne as well as the more famous Northern opponents (Grant/Sherman/Thomas etc) ever thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles or fight with the Army of Tennesse??? Finally after reading Pierre Bertons Flames Across the Border about the War of 1812. Do you know any good books to reccommend on James Fitzgibbon and the Bloody Boys. They seemed rather like Sharpe and the Choosen Men in some ways. Anyway thanks for your time and I can recommend Stopping Napoleon by Tom Pocock which deals with the war in the Med post Trafalgur and how Italy and not Spain was seen as were the Peninsular war might be. And Shipwreck of our Hopes by Peter Cozzens which is about the battle of Chattanoogga. Tony

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Nothing's impossible! I've been thinking about Albuhera, and the east coast, so fingers crossed. I have thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles - don't know if it's going to happen though. I have only read about the Bloodly Boys in Pierre Berton's books - perhaps someone else knows of another? Thanks for the recommendations.

Q

I just heard about the upcoming TV series about Sharpe in India, possibly to start shooting next year. That's great! Is it planned to shoot all 4 pre-Rifles books are just a few? On the other end of Sharpe's lifespan, I have a suggestion for the final book: Sharpe's Alamo. Your thoughts? Rich

Submitted July 28, 2004

A

I'm not sure it will happen - still a few obstacles to overcome - but the plan is to shoot two. Sharpe would make a good Texan, wouldn't he? But I doubt he will! Thanks anyway.

Q

I am a 15 year old school student and I began reading your novels at the start of the year and have been enthralled by them all. First I read the Arthur books and I am trying to read the Sharpe books in near chronological order. I love how you have made me feel as if I am in the story. It almost feels as if I can actually hear the bullets flying past me. Another thing I love about this series of novels is that whilst telling the story you educate the reader so you can almost think like a soldier. There are three questions I would like to ask you. My first question is how did you fit the fictional characters into the story around the real characters whilst still keeping it story as close to the actual battles as you can? You have obviously put a lot of resarch into making these novels. I would love one day to visit the locations for the battles of the Sharpe series but have you visited every location for the battles and are they exactly as they are described in your novels? Finally are your ideas for each series something that you have been interested in since childhood? I eagerly await your reply, David Hart

Submitted July 28, 2004

A

I've visited all of the sites except Toulouse, where the battlefield has vanished beneath the city's sprawl. How do I fit the two together? By remembering that I'm a story-teller before I'm an historian, which means that the fiction takes precedence. So real events and real people take second place to the fiction, but I try very hard not to cheat the history too badly and it's astonishing how well the two can fit together. A lot of what I write about has interested me since childhood. Reading C. S. Forester's Hornblower series when I was young greatly influenced my decision to write the Sharpe series.

Q

I have seen a book called FALLEN ANGELS coming out in August. Is it by you and what's it about? Geriant Williams

Submitted July 28, 2004

A

Fallen Angels, by Susannah Kells (and Bernard Cornwell) was originally published in 1984. The book is now being re-published by HarperCollins in the UK. It takes place during the French Revolution and contains some of the same characters as the first book by Susannah Kells (and Bernard Cornwell) - A Crowning Mercy. Click on the 'Other Books' link for more information.

Q

Having read through the brilliant first chapter of The Last Kingdom, and reading the blurb a second time, I have to wonder, is this the first book in a series? It is a period in history that interests me greatly, and seeing it written over many books would enthrall me as much as the Warlords trilogy did. -Lawrence Richards

Submitted July 28, 2004

A

It is - and I'm working on the second book right now. No title yet, but when I think of one I'll let you know!

Q

Hey Bernard, I was wondering if you have any intention of watching the new "King Arthur" film that is due for release next month? Being an avid fan of your Arthur series and interested in dark age Britain, I wonder if big screen mythology will match the Arthur legend protrayed in your books! thanks - Danny

Dear Sir Thank you very much for writing so many fantastic books. I was wondering, as you know there is new Arthur film made and they are claiming incorrectly that it is "the untold true story", I was wondering did they ever approach you for your Arthur series? Thanks again for all your great books. Ian

I know it's not based on your books, but have you seen the new King Arthur film? I have a bad feeling that it's not going to be anywhere near as good as it could be if it was based on your books, Roman Arthurs and Russian knights et al? Also could you recommend any other fictional Arthur books, just to last me till the Last Kingdom? Damian

Submitted July 26, 2004

A

I haven't seen the movie and I probably won't, only because those of my friends who have seen it say that it is dire. Everyone claims their version of Arthur is the untold true story! The real untold true story is that we don't know what the true story is. My favourite is T.H. White's The Once and Future King.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, thank you for the Sharpe books, some of my favorite reading every(and I have over 3000 books). I hope you're working on something new???? Mike Walls

Can you please tell me if you anticipate writing another Sharpe book in the near future? If so, can you give me some idea as to when? I eagerly await your next one!! Colin Dougan

Submitted July 26, 2004

A

I do anticipate it. I even expect to begin it as soon as I've finished the book I'm writing now, which is the follow-up to The Last Kingdom - so Sharpe should be behaving badly again by this autumn.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I love all the books you have written, and read them all over and over again!! I do have a small question however, why does Sharpe's style of speech change throughout his career from the unpolished to the exact and slightly stiff style he demonstrates when he finally commands his own battalion? I appreciate he has grown up and matured but I am curious all the same! Also.... why does Sweet William behave so rudely towards Sharpe in Sharpe's Waterloo? And why does Sharpe let him get away with it? Is it simply jealousy over Sharpe's new married state? I felt sorry for Richard!!! thank you so much for many many hours of blissfull reading!!!! Emma Sheppard.

Submitted July 26, 2004

A

Sharpe's speech changes because peoples' style of speech change as their circumstances change. I can't think of another reason! As for Sweet William - Sweet William was in love with Lucille and felt hard done by, which he was.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, thank you for your answer. I live in Co Fermanagh in Norther Ireland, and in our county regiment was the 27th Inniskillings (now part of the Royal Irish Regiment), I was just wandering if it would be possible for them to be included in a Sharpe Novel? Well done with Rebel, Bird and Falconer were great characters. Mickey O'Donohoe P.S I was wandering if Donaju from Sharpe's battle was a variation on my surname (of which there are 90 variations Donahue O'Donague and so on) after all he was in an Irish company, are there still Irish regiments in the Spanish army?

Submitted July 26, 2004

A

I'm sure it is a variation, and there were plenty of 'wild geese' serving in the Spanish (and French) army. So far as I know there aren't any Irish regiments left in the Spanish army, but I'm no expert. I think the 27th Inniskillings should be included. They might be already? (Can't remember). Certainly their 3rd battalion was in the thick of things from 1812 to 1814. The Ist and 2nd battalions served on the east coast of Spain, which is a fascinating campaign that Sharpe has yet to visit - an idea there, thank you!