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The Sunne in Splendour (1982)

by Sharon Kay Penman

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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2,375756,388 (4.45)381
Sharon Penman's sweeping, unforgettable novel vividly re-creates the dramatic life and times of Richard III, England's most controversial and colourful monarch. He was the last-born son of York and would become the last Plantagenet King of England. Born into an England ripped apart by the bloody and vicious Wars of the Roses, he was in awe of his eldest brother Edward, who snatched victory from the battlefield and claimed the crown for York. A man devoted to those he loved, Richard stayed loyal to his brother, forging a bond of blood that withstood war, treachery and even the malice of Edward's queen, Elizabeth. And loyal to Anne Neville, the daughter of the enemy, and the woman he adored with a passion that would last a lifetime. It was this loyalty that was his strength, and finally his undoing . . . The Sunne in Splendoursweeps away the myths to tell how one of the great sovereigns of England was betrayed by his allies, and then by history. But it is also the story of a man and his fight to win the woman he loves . . . Praise for Sharon Penman- 'The best kind of historical novel' Daily Telegraph 'A marvellous literary and historical achievement . . . impossible to put down' Boston Herald… (more)
  1. 61
    The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (LisaMaria_C)
    LisaMaria_C: For me The Daughter of Time and The Sunne in Splendour go hand in hand. The first is the classic mystery "solving" the mystery of the Two Princes in the Tower and the second a sympathetic biographical novel of Richard III which is well-researched and moving.… (more)
  2. 00
    We Speak No Treason by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (Imprinted)
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» See also 381 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 75 (next | show all)
Beautifully done. This sweeping historical novel about the Plantagenets and the War of the Roses provided a different look at the all to brief reign of England's Richard III and the earlier, longer reign of his older brother, Edward IV. Most of what has come down to us in history derives from the Tudors' "winner's history," but Ms. Penman has excavated contemporaneous writings from the period of the Plantagenet reign to give life to and a very different dimension to that family. ( )
  bschweiger | Feb 4, 2024 |
Well, I loved it in my teens! ( )
  mrsnickleby | Jan 18, 2024 |
Here's what I worte about this read in 2008: "Alice Kesterson, Ballantine Regional Sales Manger, describes online how many readers, including her, love these books about medieval times in Wales and English. Richard portrayed as a man of conscience, vs. as a killer of young princes." Was obviously on a medieval reading course during this time of life; check out other books read during the years 1995-97. And, interesting that they were all written by women. ( )
  MGADMJK | Sep 5, 2022 |
I’ve either mentioned this book or the Author several times during the life of my reviews so I have decided it was about time I actually wrote a review on the book itself. This was the debut novel for this Author.

I was first introduced to both the book and the Author by my History Professor whilst taking my Masters in History many years ago. She recommended it to me on the basis of it being the most accurate account of the times she had read in fiction form. Being a Yorkshire woman by birth and therefore, a staunch Yorkist, I was slightly apprehensive when I picked this up as most accounts of Richard III and the House of York are based on Tudor propaganda from the times, and are slewed very much in their favour. I found none of this when I read this long 936 page book.

The book itself could be broken down into thirds; the first brings into the light that confusing history of the Wars of the Roses, and for readers who are not up to speed with the ins and outs of this time it is a great way not only to get to know the key players, but where they fit together in the whole sorry mess. Yes it does sound a little like a history lesson, but it is given in such a manner that it skilfully and neatly pulls the reader so far into the novel that they have no choice but to read to the end. Just by reading the first part of the novel it can be clearly seen that this Author has done extensive research into the period, and this comes through in way in which locations are described and characters react to their environment.

Character development is stunningly done within the pages of this book. The reader is not thrown huge chunks of back-story and motivational traits, but slowly includes them as the plot progresses. Their fears are revealed, sometimes surprising the reader, and the political machinations that ruled their everyday lives are uncovered slowly, rather like peeling the layers from an onion. Obviously the main focus of the book is Richard, and it follows him from a very young age when he is very much in the shadow of his brothers through to his death on the battlefield. The Author does not portray him the same light as Shakespeare, but rather gives him a more human face than the one constantly given to him of that of monster. A compelling and believable case is presented regarding his nephews in the Tower of London, which rather makes the reader consider that this could be a case of the wrong people mishearing words said at the wrong time and in frustration, as in the case of Thomas Becket when King Henry II uttered ‘who will rid me of this meddlesome priest’; we will never know.

I could write for hours on this book, but to do so would have me revealing spoilers and getting into the whole White Rose versus red rose debate (yes the capitalization error was deliberate *smile), so I’m going to leave this review short, and I hope tantalising enough to make someone want to actually pick this up and read it.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good read. I have read it several times and yes, my History Professor was right it is the most accurate account of the times in fiction form.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/09/01/review-the-sunne-in-splendour-sharon-kay-p...



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
( )
  Melline | Aug 13, 2022 |
Although this is not one of my favorite Penman books-it still is a masterpiece of historical fiction. As this is her first novel, it is astounding how good it actually is. I read somewhere that she started writing this tome by hand and lost it, and began again!

The book is advertised as "A novel of Richard III" when in my head it is the story of the York's and Lancaster's and The War of The Roses. Both houses claimed the throne through descent from the sons of Edward III.

The story begins when Richard is a small boy in 1459, who suffers more loss in his formative years than any boy deserves. It carries through to his death in 1485. Penman paints a much different picture than the one I had envisioned of Richard. The man you come to know seems loving and kind and like any true hero, he fights for Country and family. Also, my perception of Elizabeth Woodville (Edward the IV's wife and RIchard's sister-in-law) has changed dramatically. Having read all of Penman's books now, I trust her research; this is how I will think of Richard III now-no hunchback, no evil heart (though there are things he felt he had to do, once on again for Country and family).

There is no one better at writing this sort of story. I wait with bated breath for The Land Beyond the Sea the story of The Kingdom of Jerusalem, also known as 'Outremer', the land beyond the sea. ( )
  JBroda | Sep 24, 2021 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Sharon Kay Penmanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Taylor, GeoffCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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To Julie McCaskey Wolff
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Richard did not become frightened until darkness began to settle over the woods.
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And what of those who didn't know him? What happens, too, when all who knew him are dead, when people know only what they've been told? What truth will we be talking about, then?
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Sharon Penman's sweeping, unforgettable novel vividly re-creates the dramatic life and times of Richard III, England's most controversial and colourful monarch. He was the last-born son of York and would become the last Plantagenet King of England. Born into an England ripped apart by the bloody and vicious Wars of the Roses, he was in awe of his eldest brother Edward, who snatched victory from the battlefield and claimed the crown for York. A man devoted to those he loved, Richard stayed loyal to his brother, forging a bond of blood that withstood war, treachery and even the malice of Edward's queen, Elizabeth. And loyal to Anne Neville, the daughter of the enemy, and the woman he adored with a passion that would last a lifetime. It was this loyalty that was his strength, and finally his undoing . . . The Sunne in Splendoursweeps away the myths to tell how one of the great sovereigns of England was betrayed by his allies, and then by history. But it is also the story of a man and his fight to win the woman he loves . . . Praise for Sharon Penman- 'The best kind of historical novel' Daily Telegraph 'A marvellous literary and historical achievement . . . impossible to put down' Boston Herald

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Penguin Australia

An edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia.

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