Sharon Penman The Sunne in Splendour

Penman is one of the best Historical Novelists writing today, if not the best, closely followed, I think, by Elizabeth Chadwick.

The SUNNE IN SPLENDOUR was written several years ago which was when I first read it. It is a novel about Richard 3rd., the much maligned (mainly by Shakespeare) last Plantagenet King. I believe that Shakespeare, because he was writing in the time of the direct descendants of the winner of the Battle of Bosworth (Henry Tudor, that Henry 7th.)was actually obliged to run Richard down and make of him a hump back and a monster, in order to make sure he did not get into trouble. None of this I believe to be true and Penman's books greatly details Richard's physique and character, going on the known facts, especially from the area where he was best known, Yorkshire.

It tracks his life from early childhood, right through the various machinations of his elder brother, Edward 4th. and HIS terrible wife, Elizabeth Woodville, right up until Richard's untimely death on Bosworth Field in August 1485.

This book is sympathetic to Richard and gives a closer match with his character, I believe, than any others I have read about him and his times.

Penman is very adept at keeping you wanting to read her books and this is no exception. It is beautifully written; her detail of character, the 15th. century and place is excellent. This is a big book but it's well worth the read.

Buy, it, read it, love it. Highly recommended.