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aradeia's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first read this book in high school, and I picked it up again recently when I heard Sharon K. Penman had passed away. Her books made such an impression on me when I was a teenager getting interested in medieval history.
The story this book tells is very tragic. You watch as a family disintegrates. No one knows how to communicate. They don't trust each other. They can't forgive each other.
Penman is a masterful characterizer. Her main characters are so distinct, so colorful. The Angevin family's conversation easily matches dialogue from The Lion in Winter. Penman presents her characterizations, her interpretations, and you can't help but agree "that's who Eleanor really was" and whatever event "really happened that way." Her dialogue is written so well, I could feel all that went unsaid and shouldn't have.
Though there's a large cast of characters, ultimately the story is Henry II's. To me, he was clearly the main character, and boy did I feel for him. There are maybe four or five hundred pages of him struggling to admit to himself that the sons he loves so much don't love him back. Did he make mistakes? Most definitely. Penman doesn't cast him as an innocent. But I couldn't help but feel so sorry for him.
I was surprised I felt so sympathetic towards John. But how couldn't I be, when Penman wrote him as the afterthought, the neglected, forgotten, and unwanted final son?
Her characterization of Richard was very good too. I didn't really feel particularly bad for him at any point, and I was actually pretty mad at him come the last 50 pages or so. But Penman is so good with character, I just knew there was more going on under the surface of Richard's hostility. Insecurities and bitterness that his father always preferred his older brother to him, maybe? A little guilt for hurting his father so much? I was glad Penman didn't give me any more answers than Richard would allow himself.
I also greatly appreciated Penman's consistent emphasis on female relationships. The main female character is, of course, Eleanor of Aquitaine, but she's not alone. So many stories set up excellent female characters and isolate them from all other women. Eleanor has real friendships with other women, which was really so refreshing to read. There was a point where Eleanor and her closest friend fell out pretty dramatically and for very good reason. Eleanor felt the repercussions of that loss for a long time, and I was so glad when they were able to forgive each other.
At 730 pages, Devil's Brood is nevertheless pretty easy to read. Each chapter is broken into 1-2 page sections, told by different characters to piece together a larger story. There were definitely some sections I found harder to get through than others, but over all, each chapter came and went quickly. It's made me want to pick up the other books in this series, and maybe to finally give Lionheart and A King's Ransom a second chance.
The story this book tells is very tragic. You watch as a family disintegrates. No one knows how to communicate. They don't trust each other. They can't forgive each other.
Penman is a masterful characterizer. Her main characters are so distinct, so colorful. The Angevin family's conversation easily matches dialogue from The Lion in Winter. Penman presents her characterizations, her interpretations, and you can't help but agree "that's who Eleanor really was" and whatever event "really happened that way." Her dialogue is written so well, I could feel all that went unsaid and shouldn't have.
Though there's a large cast of characters, ultimately the story is Henry II's. To me, he was clearly the main character, and boy did I feel for him. There are maybe four or five hundred pages of him struggling to admit to himself that the sons he loves so much don't love him back. Did he make mistakes? Most definitely. Penman doesn't cast him as an innocent. But I couldn't help but feel so sorry for him.
I was surprised I felt so sympathetic towards John. But how couldn't I be, when Penman wrote him as the afterthought, the neglected, forgotten, and unwanted final son?
Her characterization of Richard was very good too. I didn't really feel particularly bad for him at any point, and I was actually pretty mad at him come the last 50 pages or so. But Penman is so good with character, I just knew there was more going on under the surface of Richard's hostility. Insecurities and bitterness that his father always preferred his older brother to him, maybe? A little guilt for hurting his father so much? I was glad Penman didn't give me any more answers than Richard would allow himself.
I also greatly appreciated Penman's consistent emphasis on female relationships. The main female character is, of course, Eleanor of Aquitaine, but she's not alone. So many stories set up excellent female characters and isolate them from all other women. Eleanor has real friendships with other women, which was really so refreshing to read. There was a point where Eleanor and her closest friend fell out pretty dramatically and for very good reason. Eleanor felt the repercussions of that loss for a long time, and I was so glad when they were able to forgive each other.
At 730 pages, Devil's Brood is nevertheless pretty easy to read. Each chapter is broken into 1-2 page sections, told by different characters to piece together a larger story. There were definitely some sections I found harder to get through than others, but over all, each chapter came and went quickly. It's made me want to pick up the other books in this series, and maybe to finally give Lionheart and A King's Ransom a second chance.
jobinsonlis's review against another edition
4.5
It’s a close race whether or not this one or the first one was better but this one just barely slips ahead because it has so many great, often infuriating moments with Henry. Eleanor obviously shines in every scene but all of their sons feel real. You understand why they felt like they had to do the things they did. Great historical writing here.
marilynsaul's review
4.0
The last of the Henry II & Eleanor of Aquitaine series, I liked this one the least. Reading 736 pages of family dysfunction was just too depressing. That and battle after battle after lie after lie. Don't get me wrong - this is a well-written book (as is the whole series) and Penman does a remarkable job of bringing history to life. But I'm due for a break now and will pick up the succeeding Plantagenet series somewhere down the line at a much later date.
bazayas's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
felinity's review
4.0
Eleanor's dedication to Aquitaine and her sons leads to rebellion (this isn't a spoiler, it's history!), which becomes an unforgiveable betrayal to Henry. The damage done can never be repaired, and he subsequently holds tightly to the reins of power, causing further damage as his sons hold titles in name only, with no power or money to call their own. Betrayal follows betrayal, rebellion follows rebellion, until there is no trust between anyone in the family and places from Brittany to Aquitaine to England all suffer the consequences.
Penman teases through the strands of history to provide feasible reasons for each incursion, battle, documented argument and rebellion, tracing the roots of bitterness and jealousy to their inevitable but lonely end. As history dares, but writers do not, Henry's death echoes that of his son Hal, and we're left wondering how different it might have been had Geoffrey taken the throne instead of Richard.
Penman teases through the strands of history to provide feasible reasons for each incursion, battle, documented argument and rebellion, tracing the roots of bitterness and jealousy to their inevitable but lonely end. As history dares, but writers do not, Henry's death echoes that of his son Hal, and we're left wondering how different it might have been had Geoffrey taken the throne instead of Richard.
katymvt's review
5.0
2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-a book told from multiple points of view
A wonderful ending to a wonderful trilogy. Sharon Kay Penman really does her research and she brings these historical figures to life with such animation. Her three dimensional characters leave you wondering who you should be rooting for (even if you already know the eventual outcome). She really gives balance and fairness to all the characters.
A wonderful ending to a wonderful trilogy. Sharon Kay Penman really does her research and she brings these historical figures to life with such animation. Her three dimensional characters leave you wondering who you should be rooting for (even if you already know the eventual outcome). She really gives balance and fairness to all the characters.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
5.0
‘It is enough that we answer for our own sins without being held to account for the sins of others..’
The third novel of Ms Penman’s trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, this book picks up the story some months after the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1171. The novel deals with the consequences of a family at war within itself and the impacts both on the individuals involved and on the political landscape of Europe and beyond. Henry Fitz Empress ruled England as Henry II for over 34 years between 1154 and 1189. He was also the Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, Maine and Touraine. Eleanor, his Queen, was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right. Eleanor and Henry had eight children including five sons, four of whom survived to adulthood. This is the story of the causes and effects of the collapse of the marriage of Henry and Eleanor and the suspicions and rebellions of their sons.
Working within the known history, Ms Penman has brought the period and the characters to life. The gifted, but flawed, Henry and the formidable Eleanor (whose loyalty to her husband sometimes conflicted with her loyalty to her Duchy) produced four sons who lived to adulthood and competed with each other and with the King their father with fatal consequences.
For those familiar with this period of history, historical characters will stride or glide off the pages into life. Their motivations and justifications will have explanations which will be plausible if not always understandable to modern readers. For those unfamiliar with the history: I recommend that you read the trilogy in order to obtain a more complete understanding of the characters and events. The novel can be read on a standalone basis, but if you do so, allow yourself the treat of reading of Ms Penman’s other novels. I doubt that you will be disappointed.
The third novel of Ms Penman’s trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, this book picks up the story some months after the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1171. The novel deals with the consequences of a family at war within itself and the impacts both on the individuals involved and on the political landscape of Europe and beyond. Henry Fitz Empress ruled England as Henry II for over 34 years between 1154 and 1189. He was also the Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, Maine and Touraine. Eleanor, his Queen, was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right. Eleanor and Henry had eight children including five sons, four of whom survived to adulthood. This is the story of the causes and effects of the collapse of the marriage of Henry and Eleanor and the suspicions and rebellions of their sons.
Working within the known history, Ms Penman has brought the period and the characters to life. The gifted, but flawed, Henry and the formidable Eleanor (whose loyalty to her husband sometimes conflicted with her loyalty to her Duchy) produced four sons who lived to adulthood and competed with each other and with the King their father with fatal consequences.
For those familiar with this period of history, historical characters will stride or glide off the pages into life. Their motivations and justifications will have explanations which will be plausible if not always understandable to modern readers. For those unfamiliar with the history: I recommend that you read the trilogy in order to obtain a more complete understanding of the characters and events. The novel can be read on a standalone basis, but if you do so, allow yourself the treat of reading of Ms Penman’s other novels. I doubt that you will be disappointed.
carofan88425099936334985803975's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
autumn_plum's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5