[6EA]∎ Libro Free Time and Chance A Novel Ballantine Reader Circle Sharon Kay Penman Books

Time and Chance A Novel Ballantine Reader Circle Sharon Kay Penman Books

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Time and Chance A Novel Ballantine Reader Circle Sharon Kay Penman Books

Anything written by Sharon Penman I have found to be beyond words. 5 stars is not enough. I read the sunne in splendour in the 80's and have since read all her historical novels multiple times. All have captivated and kept me. I describe her books to friends as novels based on history, truth with writers prerogative... the research she does is astounding. Her novels were the inspiration for trips to wales and England and I have been an avid history buff since.... I have visited sites of battles, abbeys, castles, resting places and more of so many historical people and places from her books.... her writing and books will not disappoint, but be careful, you will need to save for a trip(s) overseas!!!!! Do yourself a favour, read them all, and in order, it's a good investment of your time.


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Time and Chance A Novel Ballantine Reader Circle Sharon Kay Penman Books Reviews

I picked up "When Christ and His Saints Slept" from the discount pile so many years ago that I can't remember, but before there was even a series; though it was obvious there would be one by the way that book ended. I was able to finish "The Sunne in Splendour" and the entire Welsh Trilogy before this book was out. Penman writes this period better than anyone and her injection of fictional characters into the story does not hurt. Ranulf is one of my favorites and I make my way through "Devil's Brood" I am dreading his death from old age. If you are interested in fiction about this period (12th Century Western Europe) and these people (the Plantagenets) you must read these books. You will not be sorry (at least not until Ranulf dies).
This is the second book in Penman's trilogy on Henry fitz Empress and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It covers the early passion filled years of their marriage through the "cool off" period when Henry takes up with his long time mistress Rosamund Clifford. The whole Thomas Becket affair is also depicted here.

I loved the portrayal of Henry and Eleanor. I stayed up way to late for quite a few nights as I just couldn't pull my nose out of this book. The passion between them was palpable!! And the scene where they meet for the first time after Eleanor found out about Henry's adultery with Rosamun was just crackling with tension and the unspoken emotions between Henry and Eleanor. It was really brilliant!

The focus on the relationship between Henry and Thomas Becket was initially almost as interesting but quickly got boring and I found myself skipping a few pages to get to "the end" of that. Penman takes Henry's perspective in this novel and gives the reader and excellent glimpse into his mind and how he never fully understood the 180 Becket did after he became the Archbishop. His feelings of bewilderment, betrayal, and hurt were evident. However, because of the focus on Henry's perspective, this does leave Becket as somewhat of a mystery to the reader. While I didn't really mind it so much, I understand how it could be frustrating to some.

We are also given a glimpse into the early childhood of King John. I thought it was interesting how he was portrayed as a neglected child and Penman was layng the ground work and attempting to explain some of the reasons he turned into such a villain in history.

I would highly recommend this novel, even though it's not my favorite Penman, it is still a wonderful read.

4 1/2 stars
Penman rarely disappoints. The focus of Time and Chance, the second of a trilogy is betrayal. Without giving away too much, there are three main betrayals and they all have far-reaching consequences. Of course, the most important of the three is Thomas Beckett's betrayal of the king. Beckett was one of the king's closest friends and his chancellor until the king named him as Archbishop of Canterbury. Beckett's personality seemed to have made a complete change once he became Archbishop. The conflict between these two men is fascinating.

There are a lot of characters, each with their own interesting personalities. My favorites are Ranulf, the king's uncle and Hywel, the Welsh Prince. As in When Christ and His Saints Slept, Ranulf has difficulty dealing with his divided loyalties but he is the most upright of all the characters. Hywel is an alpha dog with a soft side. He is a poet and has a great sense of humor.

The one thing that was hard for me to understand was Eleanor's reaction to the knowledge that the king had a mistress. It is made know that he had many in years past. After bearing so many children and spending so many years with Henry, why was she so threatened by Rosamund Clifford? I saw her as little more than a favorite toy for the king, someone to amuse him when he could not be with Eleanor. I felt sorry for Rosamund because she could never be anything more to the king.

Penman has a way of making her characters so real. I am looking forward to reading The Devil's Brood.
Have just finished reading the series When Christ And His Saints Slept, Time And Chance, Devil's Brood, Lionheart, A King's Ransom. Loved them all. Once I started reading it was hard to put them down. I am now obsessed with English/British history. There is a great HISTORY OF BRITAIN series on youtube.com - 15 parts! The series doesn't cover events in as much detail Penman's books but provided background - not to mention the artifacts and scenes of many of the places in the books that remain today. I also enjoyed the following books by Elizabeth Chadwick that cover some of the same history/characters A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE (John FitzGilbert aka John the Marshall, Williams father), THE GREATEST KNIGHT (William Marshall, part 1), THE SCARLET LION (William Marshall, part 2), FOR THE KING’S FAVOR (Roger Bigod), TO DEFY A KING (Mahelt Marshall Bigod, Williams oldest daughter).
Anything written by Sharon Penman I have found to be beyond words. 5 stars is not enough. I read the sunne in splendour in the 80's and have since read all her historical novels multiple times. All have captivated and kept me. I describe her books to friends as novels based on history, truth with writers prerogative... the research she does is astounding. Her novels were the inspiration for trips to wales and England and I have been an avid history buff since.... I have visited sites of battles, abbeys, castles, resting places and more of so many historical people and places from her books.... her writing and books will not disappoint, but be careful, you will need to save for a trip(s) overseas!!!!! Do yourself a favour, read them all, and in order, it's a good investment of your time.