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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
Fantastic, a great "fictional" introduction into the wars of the roses and raises some interesting questions, in my mind at least, at the historiography around Richard III. It has certainly motivated me to read more about him - and made me pretty excited about the recent discovery of what may be his remains. Great historical fiction, from a fan of historical fiction.
This is a long, informative, entertaining and very well researched book. Richard III has suffered from the fact the Tudors wrote the history that followed and Shakespeare penned his excellent play in Elizabeth Tudor's shadow.
At the end you have a really good idea why history turned out the way it did and also confirmation that Richard was very unlikely to have murdered the princes in the tower (his much loved brother's sons). The portrait of George, Duke of Clarence is particularly good; a totally self involved creep who showed the worst excesses that those of royal blood tend to exhibit.
Why not 5 stars then? Well, although the descriptions and characterisations are well executed I found that I was aware of this labour as I was reading. It was as though the mechanics of the book were still there a bit for the reader to stumble over. That said, I am glad I read all 900+ words - Richard deserved no less! I can happily recommend it to those who like chunky, accurate and consummately well written historical novels.
At the end you have a really good idea why history turned out the way it did and also confirmation that Richard was very unlikely to have murdered the princes in the tower (his much loved brother's sons). The portrait of George, Duke of Clarence is particularly good; a totally self involved creep who showed the worst excesses that those of royal blood tend to exhibit.
Why not 5 stars then? Well, although the descriptions and characterisations are well executed I found that I was aware of this labour as I was reading. It was as though the mechanics of the book were still there a bit for the reader to stumble over. That said, I am glad I read all 900+ words - Richard deserved no less! I can happily recommend it to those who like chunky, accurate and consummately well written historical novels.
Will never think of Richard III the same way (or the Tudor dynasty, for that matter)
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Sharon Kay Penman always balances impeccable research with an epic imagination. I've read (and enjoyed) her Welsh princes trilogy and so was excited to read this, her first book about the much-maligned Richard III. Penman paints a much more forgiving portrait of this final Plantagenet king than does Shakespeare.
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful in ways I wasn't expecting
I almost don't know what to say about SKP. She is the queen of historical fiction, and no one does it better. The amount of research that goes into her books is just staggering.
I've been meaning to read this one for a while, and what better time than now? Richard III's remains were just discovered this year, and as such a controversial figure, he has been back in the limelight. I have to admit that my knowledge about the War of the Roses was a bit superficial. This book absolutely helped me tie up a lot of loose ends in my mind, and I feel that I understand this cousins' war much better now.
That is one of the things I truly appreciate about SKP. There is some meaty stuff in her books. She is not messing around. This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
I've been meaning to read this one for a while, and what better time than now? Richard III's remains were just discovered this year, and as such a controversial figure, he has been back in the limelight. I have to admit that my knowledge about the War of the Roses was a bit superficial. This book absolutely helped me tie up a lot of loose ends in my mind, and I feel that I understand this cousins' war much better now.
That is one of the things I truly appreciate about SKP. There is some meaty stuff in her books. She is not messing around. This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
As I have to focus on my edits of LWL for the foreseeable future, rather than start reading something new I thought I'd treat myself to a re-read of an old favourite I
haven't picked up for a few years! <3
NB: I'd forgotten just how much Richard and Anne Neville sexytime there is in this book!!
haven't picked up for a few years! <3
NB: I'd forgotten just how much Richard and Anne Neville sexytime there is in this book!!
This book was recommended by a friend who knows of my current preoccupation with medieval English history. What a read --- incredibly well researched, a gripping story (even though you know the outcome), and an amazing look at life in the early first millenium England. Story basis is The War of the Roses - decades long war and conflict between two Houses with rights to the English throne. Sharon Kay Penman's focus is on the Plantagenet line - specifically brothers Edward IV and Richard III. In a twist from most historians, she paints a sympathetic portrait of Richard III and the controversy surrounding the deaths of the Princes In The Tower. This was my first book by Penman - loved it and her style of writing - and will have to read more of her.