Your Questions

Hello Mister Cornwell!

I have been a tremendous fan of yours for some time and have been wanting to reach out and offer you my appreciation for your excellent work for nearly just as long-- but only now have I plucked up the courage to do so. Though I am a fan of everything of yours I've read, Sharpe in particular, I must say, is nearest and dearest to my heart. Because of this, I decided to start up the series again last month-- only this time, I am listening to the audiobook version narrated by Rupert Farley! And how amazing! He really does your work justice. It will also be interesting to see how my perspective evolves as I pass over the events of the books for a second time. Already I am noticing little easter eggs that had been placed that went unnoticed by me during my first reading. In hindsight, these little moments really come into focus, such as when Sharpe thinks to himself (during his faux-desertion in Sharpe's Tiger) how he would no more pass as an officer than Lawford could pass as an enlisted man; not knowing that in a few years he will receive a battlefield commission. I also appreciate when Sharpe, in Seringapatam, first handles a rifle and misses, unaware how one day he would be a career rifleman and his life will depend on his competence with the weapon. Those are just a couple examples of what I found to be very nice homages. Since I've noticed you have been writing in the Sharpe series again lately, I was wondering if you have any plans to revisit India or even take us to Flanders in 1794 or so? I find myself captivated by "the early years," so to speak, and have privately wished for more installments in the series from that time. I also have wondered for a while if Vimeiro or Rolica will ever get books of their own, or if perhaps Sharpe may join Cochrane in Brazil and later Greece during their revolutions somehow. If so, I would find it all most exciting! Regardless, I am grateful for wherever you take Sharpe next.Thanks again for all your wonderful work, and for inspiring generations of historically minded readers.

 

Your Loyal Fan,

 

Emmanuel Dalley

Dear Mr. Cornwell:

I am retiree with a great love of and interest in history and the sort of rare but wonderful historical fiction that you have mastered.

I am currently re-reading the Sharpe series after many years (this is where I admit that I have read all your books twice over).

I am very excited that you are writing new Sharpe books, but I must ask you, is next there another series in your future?

And finally, just thanks.  I want you to know how much I have enjoyed your writing over the years.  I wish you many more years, many more books.

Your devoted fan,

Clay

Hello.

Do you think that there will come a time when you retire from book writing altogether?  Your fans hope that you won't but is it a possibility?

Thank you.

Andrew S., Leeds.

Sharpe's Story is of interest to anyone who loves those books.  I have all the stories (except the latest) on my kindle, and hope that you will eventually release this book on kindle as well?

As a sailor, I also enjoy the maritime stories as well - I list Stormchild as my favourite.

 

Mark Blaydes

Hi, I have read all of Sharps including the short stories and I’m looking forward to his next book. I just finished the Starbucks series.  Any chance Nate will March again? Thanks,

Bud

 

Hello

Thank you for keeping Sharpe alive; I always knew he had more adventures that you could write about.  I've read every Sharpe book and novella and about every 5 years or so I re-read the lot. Will you be uncovering more Sharpe stories?

Incidentally, your books prompted me to delve into the Peninsular war, Wellington and others from that period.  So thank you for that too.  It's been a great education.

Laura Butler

Dear Bernard

I was just curious what you (and Sharpe) made of Sir John Murray and the Siege of Tarragona which seems crazy looking at it https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Murray,_8th_Baronet

Geraint

Greetings Mr. Cornwell,

 

Firsthand, congratulations on your books, and recently the movie; Seven Kings Must Die. I just completed binge watching the series; The Last Kingdom. I will be collecting your books. My son (studying Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M), is an avid reader, it is what we both most have in common. His passion is philosophy, science and mathematics. I mention this because I consider myself a Christian, raised to trust in God. I realize that religion is ultimately the choice to the individual, and we should respect that. In viewing The Last Kingdom, really touched my heart, even though it seemed Christians fought against paganism, the loss of life, and the pain to lose those we love is the same.  I am not catholic, but I respect those who are. My question to you, what is your view on USA, a country with the freedom to choose religion or atheism, do you see this as a blessing or a curse? If united we stand, divided we fall, religion vs political views would affect future generations.

Thank you.

Grace De Los Santos

hello Bernard

Hope you are well.

i loved hearing you and the other Sharpe fellas (and lady!) on Radio 4 the other day! i knew about Paul McGann breaking his leg, but didn't realise how much filming he actually managed  complete. i've seen pictures of him in Rifle Green , with Mutton Chop! i've never seen any footage though. it would be intriguing to see how he did it! Maybe less SHOUTY! than Sean!

listening though, did make me wonder about a few things...

in the Films Simmerson seems to turn GOOD! he goes bonkers , and becomes a sweet old gentleman, but at the end he's back in uniform. i love the bit where he wishes "Richard", "A safe journey home" and a handshake!  i understand that the TV versions are a different continuity to your novels, (iand those heartless TV scumbags, couldn't just leave Lucille alive!), but they are still YOUR creations, so how do you feel about one of your greatest rotters being redeemed, and do you think that that version of Sir Henry will have changed or go back top being...well, Simmerson again?

i also got thinking about Jane.

i thought that Sharpe's Assassin was going to  be about her , sending some Assassins after Sharpie so she wouldn't have to give him his money back!

do you have any thought about what happened to Jane after Waterloo though? i always wonder at her fate...

Speaking of Simmerson, i was wondering about the Colonels of the South Essex. i know that it goes, Simmerson, Lawford, Windham, Leroy, Girdwood, Ford, Sharpe,, D'alabord,, but....i was rereading Honour recently and you imply in that that Leroy has just returned from England, after he took that nasty would at Badajoz, and thats when he becomes Colonel, . Thats about a year since Windham died though, so.....is there another Colonel of the South Essex we've not met yet, between Windham and Leroy?

i'm aware that we might be finding out in Sharpe's Command , so please don't tell me if its a Big Secret!

looking forward to Command and reading about Sharpe (as you put it on Radio 4)  "duffing up the French" pity our footballers can't duff the French up quite so effectively...

Regards as ever

Matt Copley

Kendall

I'm currently reading Cat Jansen's River Kings  which I know you enjoyed, "An astonishing and compelling triumph" according to you! i cant argue with that!  i''m loving it too! in your review, though you say the book taught you more than a dozen others.

the only thing is you've finished Uhtred, so its too late to use River Kings!

so, i was  curious about whether you've read any non-fiction books AFTER you've written a novel, that would have changed something, in Sharpe or Uhtred of Thomas of Hookton, in either a minor or major way, had you read first and wrote second?

Kind Regards

Matt in Kendall