From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

The Sunne in Splendour

Sharon Kay Penman

Start date: April 7, 2021

Finish date: May 21, 2021

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂

Why we're reading this: This year's chunkster - chosen to honour the late Ms Penman…more
[close] This year's chunkster - chosen to honour the late Ms Penman

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What Members Thought

Aug 20, 2008 Misfit rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-and-keep-for-a-reread, historical-fiction, wars-of-the-roses

This was a wonderful story. Although I was prepared to keep an open mind as to my previous opinions on Richard III (from reading Alison Weir's Princes in the Tower), I was sure I would still come out believing that Richard did the kids. Now I am not so convinced, I am prepared to believe he was a good man. This book also covers much about Edward the IV, Richard's brother. All in all a very good history lesson.

The book was well written, the story line kept me interested through all 900 + pages a ...more

23 likes · Like · see review

Aug 31, 2016 Christine PNW rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

No one writes historical fiction like Sharon Kay Penman.

11 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2021 Susan in NC rated it it was amazing

Enthralling historical fiction redeems the slanderous portrayal of Richard III as the vicious, conniving killer of his two nephews in the Tower.

The Retro Reads group decided to read this fascinating Sharon Kay Penman opus as a tribute to her, following her death last year. I’d had her on my radar for years, indeed, picked up several used paperbacks years ago, after her well-researched historical novels were repeatedly recommended to me. This one is a 900-plus pages doorstop - I read it mostly ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2020 Infosifter rated it really liked it

For the most part, history views Richard III as the ultimate villain among British royalty, but is that a fair estimation of his times and deeds? Author Sharon K. Penman thinks not, and in this novel she sets out to explain another way things might have been. In this retelling, Richard's tragic flaw, if he had one, was blind loyalty to those he loved or trusted, and an unwillingness to recognize that their actions might be wrong. At the very least, we as modern readers need to keep in mind that ...more

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Oct 15, 2009 Hannah marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: historicals

I couldn't finish it (hangs head in shame).
Penman is no doubt a good writer, and I do love Richard III, but I just couldn't make it through a 900+ page book.

Perhaps I've just got a short attention span as I've gotten older, or perhaps a pile of 300 page books is staring me in the face begging me to pick them up, or perhaps my personal life right at this moment is just to chaotic to do Penman justice. Whatever the reason (aka excuse), this one will have to be placed in my "did-not-finish-it" shel ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2007 CLM rated it it was amazing

Shelves: uk, historicalfiction, 15th-century

I bought this for a dollar on a street in NYC, knowing it had to last until a) I got paid, or b) until the local library consented to let me check out more than two books at a time. Needless to say, it was well worth the investment! Fans of Richard III can never get enough, and every writer brings her own interpretation of his character and the events surrounding his life.

Penman is certainly one of the best writers of historical fiction, and it is sad that her health issues prevent her from writ ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2021 Naga Sravika Bodapati rated it it was ok

Didn't like this one. Might re-pick in future. Stopped in the middle. :/ ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2021 Katy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Such a good book.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 25, 2008 Barb in Maryland rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Once of the best pro-Richard III novels out there. (The cover shown is the first copy I owned)

ETA: re-read April/May 2021
A few thoughts:
Superb historical fiction. Penman's writing just sucked me right into the story. All the people, political intrigue, battles were so vivid, so real.
This is no hagiography of Edward IV or Richard III; Penman presents a well-rounded portrait of each man, warts and all.