Product Description: The first volume of a trilogy that will follow the lives and fortunes of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine presents the story of Maude, imperious daughter of Henry the I and England's uncrowned queen, and her trusted, tormented cousin Stephen. 75,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.
Drawn out Seems lots of folks like this novel, but I am not feeling it. Little too drawn out. Takes forever to get to the point and I feel there are way too many characters. There are so many lords and ladies to keep track off, I had to write them down like a family tree. The story is mostly about the war between Maude, the named heir to the crown and Stephen, the late kings nephew who has stolen her throne. In between all the details of their battles, is mundane, unimportant stories that in the long run, have nothing to do with the main plot. I would enjoy it much more if it stuck to the story instead of making the book 500 pages longer than necessary with irrelevant details.
Simply delightful! I am a recent convert to Penman's novels and this is the best I've read yet. No doubt you are already aware of the premise, so I'll won't recap the entire storyline. It is enough to say that this novel centers around Maude, the daughter of the first King Henry of England/Duke of Normandy. When Henry died without a legitimate male heir, he allegedly named Maude as his successor to the crown. Due to the time period, though, few people were ready to see a woman rule and Maude's cousin Stephen swept in and stole the crown out from under her. This novel centers on Maude's heroic, yet ultimately futile, attempt to regain what was rightfully hers and the devastation the wars between her and King Stephen wrought on the English people (hence, the title of the novel).
The sequel to this book is called 'Time and Chance' and I'm willing to bet that you'll want to read that immediately following this fabulous book. If you love learning about history in the form of a novel, you just cannot go wrong with Sharon Kay Penman. Her research is impeccable and her style is addicting.
Happy Reading!
Stephen v. Maude I've read all of the Brother Cadfael books, and the background of all of them involved a war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude for the throne of England. These backgrounds were only snippets, and I couldn't get a handle on what was actually happening in this strife. Even though I majored in History in college and have read well over a thousand history books in the 40 years since my graduation, I never came across one that related this story. Luckily I've now read this novel, which thoroughly covers the controversy from beginning to end. It is quite a long book (more than 700 pages), but this is the type of tale that needs to be told in full. The writing is first-rate,the action very exciting, and the characters so well-drawn that only in the author's afterward do you discover who was historical abd who was fictional. In addition to the story of Stephen and Maude, we get the beginning of the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitane. That's covered more fuly in the book "Time and Chance", which I purchased, and will be taking with me to the Jersey shore this June to enjoy while I relax. I can't wait!
An engaging and vivid account of the struggle between King Stephen and the Empress Maude. What makes Sharon Penman's historical novels set in medieval Britain so amazing is how they combine sticking quite close to historical facts, with making a thrilling read enjoyable to modern readers, together with an engaging cast of characters. This novel documents the nineteen year civil war between Empress Maud, Countess of Anjou and Lady of the English and King Stephen, a war which ravaged England and caused great suffering to the people. Penman outlines the complex characters of Maude- proud, imperious and impetuous, named heir to the throne by her father King Henry I, but denied the crown because she was a woman, and Stephen, gallant, compassionate, and indecisive. Most of the characters are of real historical note, except Ranulf Fitz Roy, a fictional character who could easily have been real as one of King Henry's illegitimate children , but was not. But the space exists for him, because of the untold story of King Henry's other many illegitimate children. Penman also touches on her fascination with medieval Wales, introducing Ranulf's Welsh cousins, including his blind bride to be Rhiannon. It also introduces the saga of Harry (later to be Henry II) and the beautiful and passionate Queen Eleanor. I never lost interest throughout the novel, filled with intrigue, war, politics, relationships, sex and character analysis. Memorable scenes include the sinking of the White Ship, and the drowning of Henry I's only legitimate male heir, William, the passionate love between Ranulf and Annora, and their later adulterous union, the escape by Empress Maud at Wallingford, the many shifting allegiances by the leading nobleman, the ravaging of England and cruelty of Geoffrey De Mandeville, and the rescue by King Stephen of John Marshall's young captive son from execution.
A step into English history Fabulous historical fiction about Maude, Henry I's child, and the battle for the English throne. It shows the difficulties of a woman trying to rule a male dominated society and what she feels she needs to do to claim her inheritance. Exciting and enjoyable read.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
