Lionheart
3 journalers for this copy...
Rec'd via the Librarything Early Reviewer program.
PAPERBACK ARC.
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Amazon Editorial Review
From the New York Times-bestselling novelist, a stunning story of a great medieval warrior-king, the accomplished and controversial son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard, Coeur de Lion.
They were called "The Devil's Brood," though never to their faces. They were the four surviving sons of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine. With two such extraordinary parents, much was expected of them.
But the eldest-charming yet mercurial-would turn on his father and, like his brother Geoffrey, meet an early death. When Henry died, Richard would take the throne and, almost immediately, set off for the Holy Land. This was the Third Crusade, and it would be characterized by internecine warfare among the Christians and extraordinary campaigns against the Saracens. And, back in England, by the conniving of Richard's youngest brother, John, to steal his crown.
In Lionheart, Sharon Kay Penman displays her remarkable mastery of historical detail and her acute understanding of human foibles. The result is a powerful story of intrigue, war, and- surprisingly-effective diplomacy, played out against the roiling conflicts of love and loyalty, passion and treachery, all set against the rich textures of the Holy Land.
PAPERBACK ARC.
--
Amazon Editorial Review
From the New York Times-bestselling novelist, a stunning story of a great medieval warrior-king, the accomplished and controversial son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard, Coeur de Lion.
They were called "The Devil's Brood," though never to their faces. They were the four surviving sons of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine. With two such extraordinary parents, much was expected of them.
But the eldest-charming yet mercurial-would turn on his father and, like his brother Geoffrey, meet an early death. When Henry died, Richard would take the throne and, almost immediately, set off for the Holy Land. This was the Third Crusade, and it would be characterized by internecine warfare among the Christians and extraordinary campaigns against the Saracens. And, back in England, by the conniving of Richard's youngest brother, John, to steal his crown.
In Lionheart, Sharon Kay Penman displays her remarkable mastery of historical detail and her acute understanding of human foibles. The result is a powerful story of intrigue, war, and- surprisingly-effective diplomacy, played out against the roiling conflicts of love and loyalty, passion and treachery, all set against the rich textures of the Holy Land.
Started reading yesterday.
Finished today.
Chronologically, this follows The Devil's Brood, which ended Penman's Henry II trilogy. So this is either the fourth volume of a trilogy, or not a direct sequel.
When his father Henry II dies, Richard inherits the kingdom of England. Almost immediately,he appoints regents and leaves for the Holy Land so that he can lead a crusade to take back Jerusalem from Saladin. Although intense rivalries between Richard and his fellow kings constantly threaten the crusade, their knights succeed in winning battles and gaining territory for Christendom. But the hatred between Richard, the Holy Roman Emperor and Philippe of France cannot be controlled, and one by one the other kings drop out. Meanwhile, back in England Richard's younger brother John plots to steal the crown, forcing Richard into an impossible position – stay in the Holy Land and fulfill his vow to retake Jerusalem against odds stacked against him, or hurry home before his own kingdom is lost?
Joining Richard on his crusade is his sister Joanna and new wife Berengaria. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, rules as regent back in England. The lives of these royal women contrast nicely with the warrior world of Richard, providing relatively tranquil breaks between densely-packed descriptions of battles and war tactics. It was interesting to compare the background of these royal women. Johanna, the recently widowed Queen of Sicily, is far more worldly than her young sister-in-law, since her kingdom had quite a bit of contact with the Muslim invaders. Berengaria comes from a far more sheltered background, and her defining characteristic is pious devotion to the Crusade, which ought to make her a perfect wife for Richard, but she always seems to be an afterthought to her ambitious husband.
This is a very richly detailed book; at times, the information contained in its pages is overwhelming. For the most part, Penman keeps the story moving with lively dialogue and entertaining vignettes, but at times the narrative becomes an exposition quagmire that simply must be muddled through.
But overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit, and I learned a lot of new things about the Third Crusade. It's my first foray into Sharon Kay Penman's historical fiction (shocking, I know!) and I will definitely be checking out more of her books.
Chronologically, this follows The Devil's Brood, which ended Penman's Henry II trilogy. So this is either the fourth volume of a trilogy, or not a direct sequel.
When his father Henry II dies, Richard inherits the kingdom of England. Almost immediately,he appoints regents and leaves for the Holy Land so that he can lead a crusade to take back Jerusalem from Saladin. Although intense rivalries between Richard and his fellow kings constantly threaten the crusade, their knights succeed in winning battles and gaining territory for Christendom. But the hatred between Richard, the Holy Roman Emperor and Philippe of France cannot be controlled, and one by one the other kings drop out. Meanwhile, back in England Richard's younger brother John plots to steal the crown, forcing Richard into an impossible position – stay in the Holy Land and fulfill his vow to retake Jerusalem against odds stacked against him, or hurry home before his own kingdom is lost?
Joining Richard on his crusade is his sister Joanna and new wife Berengaria. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, rules as regent back in England. The lives of these royal women contrast nicely with the warrior world of Richard, providing relatively tranquil breaks between densely-packed descriptions of battles and war tactics. It was interesting to compare the background of these royal women. Johanna, the recently widowed Queen of Sicily, is far more worldly than her young sister-in-law, since her kingdom had quite a bit of contact with the Muslim invaders. Berengaria comes from a far more sheltered background, and her defining characteristic is pious devotion to the Crusade, which ought to make her a perfect wife for Richard, but she always seems to be an afterthought to her ambitious husband.
This is a very richly detailed book; at times, the information contained in its pages is overwhelming. For the most part, Penman keeps the story moving with lively dialogue and entertaining vignettes, but at times the narrative becomes an exposition quagmire that simply must be muddled through.
But overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit, and I learned a lot of new things about the Third Crusade. It's my first foray into Sharon Kay Penman's historical fiction (shocking, I know!) and I will definitely be checking out more of her books.
Journal Entry 4 by k00kaburra at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, February 27, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (2/27/2012 UTC) at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
adding to my Medieval & Renaissance Bookbox!
I liked Penman's The Sunne in Splendour, so I'm taking this from the Medieval/Renaissance bookbox. Will see how her treatment of Richard I compares with that of Richard III!
Later: Interesting... I got the distinct impression that the author wanted to give poor Richard a bit of a boost, after all the bad press he's had regarding spending so much time outside of England, spending so much money, etc. (Since I love "The Lion in Winter", I admit to a bit of shock comparing that work's view of Eleanor and Richard to the characters as drawn here!)
We get to see Richard from the viewpoints of many other people, some foes as well as friends, and the depiction suggests that, while he's not without flaws, he's trying to be as good a leader as he can. And his skill and courage in battle is never in question.
I was actually more interested in the lives of some of the tangential characters, as I'd heard less about them in history classes; alas, when I followed up on their fates after the events of this book I found that most of them did not live happily ever after, though some came as close as was likely in that day and age {wry grin}. It was interesting to follow the political maneuverings - including marriages - that were undertaken to try and preserve the peace, or at least delay open conflict for a time. People made some hard choices, at home as well as on the battlefield.
Beyond that, I don't have much to add to k00kaburra's comments. An enjoyable work of historical fiction!
Later: Interesting... I got the distinct impression that the author wanted to give poor Richard a bit of a boost, after all the bad press he's had regarding spending so much time outside of England, spending so much money, etc. (Since I love "The Lion in Winter", I admit to a bit of shock comparing that work's view of Eleanor and Richard to the characters as drawn here!)
We get to see Richard from the viewpoints of many other people, some foes as well as friends, and the depiction suggests that, while he's not without flaws, he's trying to be as good a leader as he can. And his skill and courage in battle is never in question.
I was actually more interested in the lives of some of the tangential characters, as I'd heard less about them in history classes; alas, when I followed up on their fates after the events of this book I found that most of them did not live happily ever after, though some came as close as was likely in that day and age {wry grin}. It was interesting to follow the political maneuverings - including marriages - that were undertaken to try and preserve the peace, or at least delay open conflict for a time. People made some hard choices, at home as well as on the battlefield.
Beyond that, I don't have much to add to k00kaburra's comments. An enjoyable work of historical fiction!
I'm adding this book to the I Hate SF bookbox, which will soon be on its way to BCer grubsneerg in Pennsylvania. Hope everyone enjoys the selection!
Pulled out of the "I Hate SF Bookbox" because the coincidence of having just reread "The Eyre Affair" and Richard II's burial place, which had been lost for centuries, having possibly been discovered under a parking lot in Leicester seemed to demand it.
