Book Review: Time and Chance

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

Time and Chance     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sharon Kay Penman
Class/Genre:   Romance   Historical
Putnam, March 2002, $27.95, 512 pp.

Henry II is King of England, Eleanor of the Aquataine [former Queen of France] is his Queen, and Thomas Becket is his chancellor.

This is a book I have been waiting for for years. Not because of previous books, although I was already a fan, but because "Lion in Winter" is my all time favorite movie. But no matter how much I enjoy "Lion in Winter" every time I watch it, I am always confused as to how things got to the state they were in. History books can be very dry reading, indeed.

Now, with Sharon Kay Penman's newest novel, "Time and Chance" everything finally makes sense. Told from multiple points of view, and with her incredible story telling abilities, Ms. Penman makes history come alive once more. Rich with the details of life in 1120+, Ms Penman tells the tale of Henry, Eleanor, Thomas Becket, Maude [Henry's mother], Ranulf [Henry's uncle who provides the Welsh point of view and the ethical quandries of a man trying to be scrupulously fair], and, near the end, the tale of Rosamund.

I can't vouch for Ms Penman's historical accuracy - others do that. I can say that she makes history live and breathe as if it were yesterday. This book has all of the rich characterizations, colorful scenery, and insite into the ambitions, desires, and passions of a king, his queen, and those caught up in the tempest that was their marrage and their kingdom. This is a wonderful story to curl up an lose yourself within!

Webspinner - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Webspinner - RAM