h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The following is a finished section from a long Entry I have in PR (A5212874) which may need some punctuation & grammar corrections. (I think, hope the spelling is ok) Rather than have long posts of corrections in PR, I thought it may be easier all round if I post the finished sections here.

>"Richard Sharpe is the creation of author Bernard Cornwell. In 1980, Cornwell lived in a London basement flat and was due to marry his American girlfriend, and move there to live with her. Unfortunately he could not get a work permit, and so decided to become a writer, as it was a profession that did not require a work permit (or green card as it is known).

Bernard Cornwell wanted to write a land-based version of C S Forester's's Hornblower, a fictional hero in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The aim was to create a character as dramatic as Horatio Hornblower. He named this main character after a well-known 1960s rugby player; Richard Sharp, but simply added an 'e' to the end of his surname. Richard Sharpe was born.

Cornwell uses some of the concepts of his life experiences within the novels. He was adopted at a young age and grew up in Essex, hence the South Essex Regiment. Later in life Cornwell spent a few enjoyable years in Ireland, and as a compliment to Ireland he portrayed Harper and Hogan (good guys) as Irish.

The first novel Cornwell wrote: Sharpe's Eagle introduced the reader to a selection of the characters and set the scene for what would be more than 20 Sharpe novels over the next 24 years1. Some of the novels are written about well-known forts and villages and the battles surrounding them from The Peninsular War, others were invented by Cornwell. At the end of almost every book, where appropriate is a few pages of historical notes about the events and main battle fought within its pages.

Although the novels present a consistent basic story they can be read in any order. Cornwell has written the series in such a way that the reader can learn enough about Sharpe's history; which is cleverly revealed in dribs and drabs - his rise from the ranks, his victorious battles, his friends, enemies and his women - from any of the novels not to be confused.

The majority of the novels have been reprinted several times over the years, with various different covers. In 1993 the first of 14 television action-drama Sharpe films based on the novels, starring Sean Bean was shown. In 1994 some of the books were republished with the image of Sean Bean, as Sharpe on the covers.

Sharpe's Battle, published after the success of the TV series, is dedicated to Sean Bean in recognition of his portrayal of Sharpe. As a further compliment to Bean, in at least one of the novels Sharpe is in Sheffield, Bean's birth place. Also, after the TV series Cornwell is said to see the image of blonde Sean Bean as Sharpe, rather than the dark haired Sharpe as he wrote the novels."

C S Forester's's Hornblower --> CS Forester's Hornblower

after a well-known 1960s rugby player; Richard Sharp -- change semicolon to colon

The first novel Cornwell wrote: Sharpe's Eagle introduced the reader -->
The first novel Cornwell wrote, Sharpe's Eagle, introduced the reader

from The Peninsular War --> from the Peninsular War

Peninsular War, others were invented -- change comma to semicolon

At the end of almost every book, where appropriate is a few pages -- add comma after appropriate, and change "is" to "are".

a consistent basic story they can be read -- add a comma after story.

can learn enough about Sharpe's history; which is cleverly revealed in dribs and drabs - his rise from the ranks, his victorious battles, his friends, enemies and his women - from any of the novels not to be confused.

This is badly phrased with far too much between "Sharpe's history" and "from any of the novels". Reword as:

can learn enough about Sharpe's history from any of the novels not to be confused; this is cleverly revealed in dribs and drabs - his rise from the ranks, his victorious battles, his friends, his enemies and his women.

In 1993 the first of 14 television action-drama Sharpe films based on the novels, starring Sean Bean was shown -- this would be better as:

In 1993 the first of 14 television action-drama Sharpe films was shown, based on the novels and starring Sean Bean.

G

Just one more

In 1994 some of the books were republished with the image of Sean Bean, as Sharpe on the covers.

This would be better with the comma removed.

That's great Gnomon & Cheerful Dragon

Though I should have noticed the first one, with the double 's

Is there anything is this bit that needs changing.

>"Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill

Hakeswill, is a yellow-skinned, lank-haired, twitching psychopath. Obidiah Hakeswill is Sharpe's oldest enemy. Hakeswill suffered from a nervous twitch in his face and hideous scarring on his neck; caused by an event at the age of 12 when he was sentenced to be hanged. After his uncle saved his live by cutting him down, Hakeswill began to believe he was immortal: a man who could not be killed. It was Hakeswill who enlisted 'Sharpy' (Hakeswill's taunting nickname for Sharpe) into the army. To the officers Hakeswill is punctilious and obsequious: the perfect soldier. However, to the men in his command Hakeswill is an evil and sadistic tyrant.

While in India in Sharpe's Tiger, Hakeswill along with another Sergeant framed Sharpe for a serious assault, and had him flogged. Years later Hakeswill joined the South Essex and framed Harper for theft, causing him to be flogged for a crime he had not committed too. Hakeswill's other offences against Sharpe include; attempting to rape Teresa, Sharpe's wife, and threatening to kill their baby daughter, Antonia. He murdered Sharpe's friend, Robert Knowles while he was trying to protect Tesesa and Antonia from Hakeswill. Hakeswill's final affront to Sharpe was the murder of Teresa, while Hakeswill was a deserter in Sharpe's Enemy.

Hakeswill was sentenced to be shot for desertion; Sharpe is given command of the firing squad. The fourteen muskets of the firing squad fired on Sharpe's 'Fire' command, but they did not kill the immortal Hakeswill. You can't kill me! You can't kill me! You can't kill me! Hakeswill cackled triumphantly, believing he had escaped death again. Sharpe held his rifle to Hakeswill's head, he pulled the trigger; Sharpe killed the man who could not be killed. "

You've spelled it Obadiah in one place and Obidiah in another. I believe Obadiah is the normal spelling.

Hakeswill, is a yellow-skinned -- remove the comma after Hakeswill.

Hakeswill suffered from a nervous twitch in his face -- make that present tense: suffers from

scarring on his neck; caused by -- change semicolon to comma

causing him to be flogged for a crime he had not committed too -- the "too" at the end sound like it is part of "not committed". Change it to:

causing him also to be flogged for a crime he had not committed

You can't kill me! You can't kill me! You can't kill me! -- put quotes around this.


G

Gnomon, all sorted.

I'll post the next bit later

Emmily