Lionheart [Hardcover]

Penman is remarkably consistent in her rendering of history, turning her efforts to Richard, Coeur de Lion, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, a king in his own right. Filled with the fighting spirit of his illustrious ancestry, Richard I "takes the Cross" in 1191 to free the Holy Land from the infidels, Saladin in particular, and return home sheathed in glory for his country and his Church. Savvy enough to snare France's Philippe Capet into joining the crusade, Richard orchestrates an enforced truce with his brothers, John and Geoffrey, Eleanor following her son's holy journey with trepidation, fearing for his safety and that of England while he is away.

With exquisite detail, Penman recreates the enormous undertaking of a crusade, the gathering of forces, military equipment, supplies, sailing vessels, horses and servants sufficient to sustain the endeavor and win the battle for Jerusalem, the progress on land and sea, battles along the way, the sly betrayals of political enemies, the King of France uncomfortably aware of his sore comparison with the imposing figure of his rival, the handsome god-soldier astride his magnificent steed. Doing everything in his power to distract, delay and bedevil Richard, the two royal factions ride in tandem, but with contrary purposes, success in the Holy Land promising plunder for both, dissension mocking their Christian alliances.

The weight of fact and myth lays heavily on Penman's sympathetic interpretation of events, Richard I in public and private, with the bravado and courage of a warrior and the sensitivity of a seasoned lover in pursuit of a lady. Following the long reign of Henry II, a brutal, war-hardened ruler, Richard has much to prove to a country ready for change but reluctant to fund a long crusade, as driven by his commitment to the Church as his political ambitions as king, the crusade his battle cry for England against the forces of evil. Through secret negotiations Richard marries Berengaria of Spain, who accompanies him on crusade. Witnessing the wisdom and subtle diplomatic talents of Berengaria, and Richard's sister, Joanna, recently-widowed Queen of Sicily, the young king balances the military and the political, assailed by endless problems created through the crafty Philippe's machinations.

On his great mission, Richard confronts treachery, treason and the emotional strains of a new marriage, acquitting himself well throughout the grueling campaign, only to meet his match in Saladin. It is on the bloody battlefields where Richard proves himself most worthy, especially when dealing with Saladin, an equally wily and charismatic soldier/politician. Though the 3rd Crusade ends without the anticipated bounty of plunder and glory, Penman's portrait of this oft-maligned character lauds his broad appeal as a leader, at least until Jerusalem, truly the son of the ruthless and diplomatically brilliant Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, claiming his place in history in Medieval England, a crucible of kings, warriors, power, glory and myth. In Lionheart, Richard's star is in its ascendancy, success a bright bauble waiting to be snatched to decorate the English crown. But Penman's leaves us in the Holy Land, the final chapter of Richard's fate yet to be writ in her next novel, The King's Ransom. Luan Gaines/2011.

So much is known about Richard the Lionheart. Even people who don't know much about history have at least heard about him. He is a true legend. Yet in this magnificent novel Ms. Penman manages to make him both bigger than life and ordinary man.

Richard ascends to the throne of England upon the death of his father, Henry II. His mother is Eleanor of Aquitaine and he had spent most of his life in her domain thinking he would be ruling there. He never expected to be King of England. He had "taken the cross" and found himself on the third crusade right after he was crowned King. He was unmarried and his heir was his youngest brother John whom he really did not trust. Smart man.

Richard was a soldier through and through. He was a brilliant battle commander and strategist. He and Phillipe Capet of France were joining forces to go on the crusade together but neither man liked nor trusted one another.

The book is a history lover's dream, full of detail and life created from the records left by peoples long dead. Fortunately with Richard there are records from both sides - those that hated him and those that revered him so a somewhat true picture of the man can be formulated. So often with historical records only one side is left to tell the tale.

This is not a book for someone looking for a fast, light read. This is a book for someone who wants to truly immerse themselves in time and place. There are a lot of characters from a number of countries to keep straight - this is sometimes a challenge but they are important to the telling. I have never been disappointed in a book from Ms. Penman, in fact I look forward to each one with a passion.

Lionheart tells only half of Richard's story; the rest will be told in the sequel - A King's Ransom. So my waiting begins. I first discovered Ms. Penman's books in the '80ies with The Sunne in Splendour and drove my husband crazy for every time we went to a book store I had to look for the next book and when it wasn't there I was crushed. This was, of course, before the internet became so ever present.

So if you love history and you want a deep, involving book pick up Lionheart. You will not be disappointed.

Over the years I have tried several different novels that focused on the Lionheart whilst he was on crusade, yet none of them really managed to engage me (although they did make for good sleeping pills). I'd about given up hope on ever finding one that would hold my interest until word came that Sharon Kay Penman was planning to continue her Angevin series with a book on Richard and I was dancing with joy - if anyone could do it, the fabulous Sharon Penman could. Was I bored?

No, I was not.

I think everyone knows the bare bones of this story, as well as all the myths and legends that have sprung up around it so I'll pass on trying to recap it and just share my thoughts on the reading experience. I absolutely loved how the author portrayed Richard. He is very much a man of his times, a king and a warrior who did what was necessary to get the job done and keep his men (and women) safe. I loved his sardonic wit, and had many laugh out loud moments. I felt his anguish at some of the tougher decisions he was forced to make, as well as his frustrations with the constant backstabbing and squabbles amongst those who were supposed to be his allies (damn those double-dealing Frenchmen...). His sense of timing and drama were perfection (oooh, that last-minute swoop into Cyprus to save the day once again, you just can't make that stuff up).

And how did Richard's queen Berengaria fare? Imagine being torn from your home and family, married to a virtual stranger, trekking half way around the world, surviving perils on the high sea, the stench and disease of a military camp and more, yet she handled it like a seasoned pro. Richard's sister Joanna was another favorite, very much a chip off of the old Angevin block and always there to knock some sense into her hard-headed brother when needed.

While I enjoyed this novel a great deal, this is not a light and easy read and is one best read without all of life's little distractions (no kids) so it can be savored as only a Penman novel should be. The cast of characters is large and complex (there are a lot of POV switches), as well as complicated politics and back-history the reader needs to take in. If you are looking for a light easy read with romanticized view of Richard this is probably not the book for you.

Lastly, are you going to have another great love story like Penman gave us in Here be Dragons and The Reckoning? Will they smoke off the pages like Henry and Eleanor in When Christ and His Saints Slept? Can't tell you that (besides, since there is one more book coming the story is only half told), but I will tell you that Berengaria's first...ummm...*cooking lesson* was priceless. The bed burning in Here Be Dragons is still tops, but Penmenians will love it.

Review copy provided by the folks at Putnam, thank you.

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