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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
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.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
I’ve had this book on my shelf for almost two years and I regret the amount of time it took me to get around to reading this.
Sharon Kay Penman is a master of writing realistic historical fiction, based on fact and research, while also imbuing the characters with so much life and dimension. No one is fully evil or good, each character has their flaws and endearing characteristics. Nothing is ever so dour either, there is joy and affection and love between the characters.
This book is no exception! I was so drawn in to the drama of the later years of the War of the Roses depicted in this novel that I had to remind myself to breathe. I’d emerge from the depths of the book surprised to find myself surrounded by the modern world.
I just can’t believe all the betrayals and political maneuvering that are described so fantastically in the book, and that on top of that the fact that all the characters felt so real and believable. I felt so strongly about them that it made me wish for an alternate ending from what I knew would ultimately happen.
Sharon Kay Penman is a master of writing realistic historical fiction, based on fact and research, while also imbuing the characters with so much life and dimension. No one is fully evil or good, each character has their flaws and endearing characteristics. Nothing is ever so dour either, there is joy and affection and love between the characters.
This book is no exception! I was so drawn in to the drama of the later years of the War of the Roses depicted in this novel that I had to remind myself to breathe. I’d emerge from the depths of the book surprised to find myself surrounded by the modern world.
I just can’t believe all the betrayals and political maneuvering that are described so fantastically in the book, and that on top of that the fact that all the characters felt so real and believable. I felt so strongly about them that it made me wish for an alternate ending from what I knew would ultimately happen.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was... amazing. It took me almost two months to finish it (along with Ender's Game, so I was bouncing back and forth), but I gladly carted that big, heavy book with me every day on my commute. I was very, very sad to finish it, but I'm glad that Penman has written plenty of other similar books to enjoy.
There's a reason all of her historical fiction is ranked higher than a 4.0 here. This book was so deliberately accurate. As a history major, and having unofficially minored in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, I sincerely appreciate the effort that Penman has put into this novel. Researching the Middle Ages with as much honest accuracy as possible is no simple task.
Not only that, but this is the best kind of historical fiction. It illuminates inaccuracies in the currently "accepted" history of King Richard III and adds life to more accurate accounts from his time. History is written by the victors and the Tudors' victory over the king rewrote his story for the worse. With a little more conscientious primary-source research, English historians could do King Richard III a justice like Penman gives him.
I absolutely adored this book, and will eventually have to re-read it. I am sad to think that I have just read some of the best historical fiction ever, and anything else will pale in comparison. But, it was so worth it...
There's a reason all of her historical fiction is ranked higher than a 4.0 here. This book was so deliberately accurate. As a history major, and having unofficially minored in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, I sincerely appreciate the effort that Penman has put into this novel. Researching the Middle Ages with as much honest accuracy as possible is no simple task.
Not only that, but this is the best kind of historical fiction. It illuminates inaccuracies in the currently "accepted" history of King Richard III and adds life to more accurate accounts from his time. History is written by the victors and the Tudors' victory over the king rewrote his story for the worse. With a little more conscientious primary-source research, English historians could do King Richard III a justice like Penman gives him.
I absolutely adored this book, and will eventually have to re-read it. I am sad to think that I have just read some of the best historical fiction ever, and anything else will pale in comparison. But, it was so worth it...
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading some excellent reviews on this book I decided to buy it and was not disappointed. From page one, the author had captured my interest. Her ability to capture each character and show the political and military side of what happened during the War of the Roses peaked my desire to learn more about the time period.
Spoilers for historical events
”He fell, regained his feet. Richard’s banner still fluttered, St George and the Whyte Boar, but as he stumbled toward them, they disappeared from sight, were dragged down into the surging red tide.”
I knew even within the first 100 pages that I had reached the peak of historical fiction on the Wars of the Roses. I even suspected it before I started the book, having read When Christ and his Saints Slept last year.
This book takes us from Richard of York’s life as a small child to his tragic death at the Battle of Bosworth. Penman is a master at characterisation. Apart from Richard, I was so invested in Francis Lovell, George Plantagenet, Elizabeth of Woodville, Warwick and, most surprisingly of all, Edward Plantagenet. Penman truly illustrates him as enigma, a ruler who likes to appear like a passionate and impulsive man but is actually one of the most rational and level-headed people in the entire book.
I can see why this book changed so many minds about the villainy of Richard III. The British Education system does tend to teach us the Tudor perspective of his reign but it makes me laugh that all modern fictional retelling I’ve come across prefer Richard Plantagenet to the less likeable Henry Tudor, and I agree with them. I was biased towards Richard III already going into this and that feeling has only intensified. I finally teared up, after the buildup of betrayal after betrayal, when the North of England reacted against their best interests, and in defiance of Henry Tudor, to mourn the last Plantagenet king.
What an epic this book is! If you’re looking for just one novel to read on the Wars of the Roses, I highly recommend this one.
”He fell, regained his feet. Richard’s banner still fluttered, St George and the Whyte Boar, but as he stumbled toward them, they disappeared from sight, were dragged down into the surging red tide.”
I knew even within the first 100 pages that I had reached the peak of historical fiction on the Wars of the Roses. I even suspected it before I started the book, having read When Christ and his Saints Slept last year.
This book takes us from Richard of York’s life as a small child to his tragic death at the Battle of Bosworth. Penman is a master at characterisation. Apart from Richard, I was so invested in Francis Lovell, George Plantagenet, Elizabeth of Woodville, Warwick and, most surprisingly of all, Edward Plantagenet. Penman truly illustrates him as enigma, a ruler who likes to appear like a passionate and impulsive man but is actually one of the most rational and level-headed people in the entire book.
I can see why this book changed so many minds about the villainy of Richard III. The British Education system does tend to teach us the Tudor perspective of his reign but it makes me laugh that all modern fictional retelling I’ve come across prefer Richard Plantagenet to the less likeable Henry Tudor, and I agree with them. I was biased towards Richard III already going into this and that feeling has only intensified. I finally teared up, after the buildup of betrayal after betrayal, when the North of England reacted against their best interests, and in defiance of Henry Tudor, to mourn the last Plantagenet king.
What an epic this book is! If you’re looking for just one novel to read on the Wars of the Roses, I highly recommend this one.
This book wrecked me. Incredibly long but wonderful. Impossible to keep track of all the names but she makes a good effort to help with all the repetitions and titles.