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What Members Thought
A Sad and Tragic Period in England's History and truly a time when Christ and his Saints slept. A fascinating, complicated tale with a huge cast of characters, many with similar names. It was hard to keep track of at times, a list of who's who at the front of the book would have been helpful, as SKP did in the next book, Time and Chance.
The characters were well written, and I appreciated that neither Stephen (who did steal the crown) nor Maude were written as black and white/evil vs. saint -- a ...more
The characters were well written, and I appreciated that neither Stephen (who did steal the crown) nor Maude were written as black and white/evil vs. saint -- a ...more
Sharon Kay Penman is an amazing author - she combines talented storytelling with historical accuracy for some of the best books I've ever read.
Penmans take on the civil war between Maude and Stephen was typical in the fact that it was outstanding.
Though I knew the outcome, I really enjoyed finding out how it all happened. In the past I've read only passing mentions of both Maude (Matilda) and Stephen and had preconceived idea's about both of them. Maude I considered to be overly ambitious and bi ...more
Penmans take on the civil war between Maude and Stephen was typical in the fact that it was outstanding.
Though I knew the outcome, I really enjoyed finding out how it all happened. In the past I've read only passing mentions of both Maude (Matilda) and Stephen and had preconceived idea's about both of them. Maude I considered to be overly ambitious and bi ...more
It took me a little while to get into this book, longer than it took with "Sunne" but after about half way I started picking up speed.
Having never read anything about the struggle between Maude and Stephen, this book was a real eye opener. I was amazed at how many towns and villages were ransacked and burned, how many innocent citizens died, and how much flip flopping of loyalties occured. I found myself at different times liking, being aggrivated by, wanting to slap or hug, several of the main ...more
Having never read anything about the struggle between Maude and Stephen, this book was a real eye opener. I was amazed at how many towns and villages were ransacked and burned, how many innocent citizens died, and how much flip flopping of loyalties occured. I found myself at different times liking, being aggrivated by, wanting to slap or hug, several of the main ...more
Cousins Stephen and Maude vie for the right to rule in 12th century England with the ensuing 19 year civil war being a tragic, horrific, strife-filled time for its citizens. Orig published in 1995 it includes gritty imagery of battles and sieges and historical details of political strategy and double-crosses that are tempered with bits of romance. Definitely not a quick read at 700 plus pages and more than a dozen main players but well worth the time - Penman's prose breathes life into the medie
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Aug 22, 2008
Pat
marked it as to-read
Mar 27, 2009
Tanzanite
added it
Sep 23, 2009
Kellie
marked it as to-read
