I’ve been re-reading the Sharpe novels lately – this time in chronological order – and I’m wondering if you’ve ever felt the need to revise some of the early books to ‘correct’ the story? I know Tolkien for example went to great lengths to revise early editions of the Hobbit so the story matched the later Lord of the Rings. I imagine the distinctly un-chronological way Sharpe was written must have made it a nightmare for you from a continuity perspective. Is it something that bugs you, or something you’re quite happy to leave as is? I hasten to add that I am enjoying the series just as much second time around – I’m not complaining, just curious!

Phil Dean