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TIME AND CHANCEJune 15, 2002
TIME AND CHANCE by Sharon Kay Penman. Sharon Kay Penman is the strongest historical novelist working the medieval period at present, a worthy heir to two of my all-time favorites, Thomas B. Costain and Nigel Tranter. Her TIME AND CHANCE (not to be confused with the Alan Brennert novel and the autobiography of L. Sprague de Camp, both of which share the same title and both of which are well worth a read as well) is the long-awaited second volume of Penman’s trilogy about the early Plantagenets. The first volume, WHEN CHRIST AND HIS SAINTS SLEPT, focused on the war between Stephen and the Empress Maude for the English throne. This one picks up with Maude’s son Henry Fitz Empress on the throne, and tells the tale of his tumultuous relationships with Eleanor of Aquitaine and Thomas Becket. As usual, SKP brings history vividly to life. |
