A Kings Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman
History and Historical Fiction
If you ever had the idea that
history books (read textbooks & so on, thick tomes with lots of obtuse words
and tons of footnotes) are invariably dull.... think again. Many of today’s
great history writers be they professional historians or amateurs, write really
good stuff. That are erudite and yet fun to read. When they pack it into an exciting story like narrative,
you really can’t go wrong. In my view there are two versions of this trend.
Popular history and historical fiction.
Let’s start with straight history
and biography. This is nonfiction based on accurate and well researched
background material. The best ones tell a true story and bring it to life. Think
of authors like Steven Ambrose, David McCullough, William Manchester, Doris
Kearns Goodwin, Shelby Foote and many others.
The other equally exciting
development is the vast improvement in historical fiction writing. Here the
authors knowledge of the subject combined with excellent writing/storytelling
technique will surely get your attention. As long as the line between fiction
and nonfiction is clear, I really don’t believe it to be a bad thing if that
line narrows. That is IF the writing is honest and well done and IF it draws
more interest in history. Check out British author Hillary Mantel for a good
example.
Book Review: A Kings Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman
.A good read I just finished was the final book A Kings
Ransom in Sharon Kay Penman’s
magnificent series on the Plantagenet’s, the Norman rulers of England in the 12th
to the 14th centuries. There were five books all ot them marvelous.
. When Christ And His Saints Slept (1995)
•Time And Chance (2002)
•Devil's Brood (2008)
• Lionheart (2011)
•A King's Ransom (2014)
Penman is one the
top writers of medieval historical fiction. In
A King’s Ransom she takes us to
the twelfth century and the reign of King Richard the Lionhearted. We first
meet Richard, one of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s four sons, in Time and
Chance. If you’re a movie buff this the
family of the classic Lion In Winter. In Lionheart, we follow the warrior King to
the Holy Lands on Crusade.
A King’s Ransom is the follow up to Lionheart and tells the
story of King Richard I’s imprisonment in Germany at the hands of Duke Leopold
of Austria and Emperor Heinrich VI and of his battle to win back his Kingdom from
his rapacious brother John of Magna Carta fame.
Penman is both rigorous and meticulous in her research. Most
importantly she brings her characters to life as few othes. You’ll meet the real King in this book and
not the historical cliché and stereotype.
It is November 1192
when returning home from Crusade, Richard and his crew are overcome by a sudden
storm, its fierce winds propelling the ship onto an unfriendly shore. Forced to
make a dangerous choice, Richard finds himself in enemy territory, where he is
captured—in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders—and handed
over to the Duke of Austria. Imprisoned in the notorious fortress at Trifels,
from which few ever leave alive, Richard, for the first time in his life, is helpless,
while his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, moves heaven and earth to secure his
release. Amid betrayals, intrigues, infidelities, wars, and illness, Richard’s
courage and intelligence will become legend. Indeed……
Perhaps one should start at the beginning in this
magnificent series but then again each one can stand alone. In any case, I
recommend them all.....
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@Barrie Summy