Devil’s Brood by Sharon Kay Penman

The third novel in Penman’s Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy covers the last years of Henry II’s reign from 1172 to 1189. Opening immediately prior to the first rebellion of Henry’s sons, the one that eventually lead to Eleanor’s imprisonment, the story offers an in-depth look into the lives of a dysfunctional family.

Hal, the Young King, who lives in the shadow of his father, expects his due to come easily and never learns to stand on his own two feet. Richard, distrustful of his father, ineffectual in the protection of his mother, grows angrily possessive of Aquitaine, his inheritance. Geoffrey, enigmatic and more like Henry than Henry would care to admit, takes advantage of his brothers’ discontent to further his own ends. John, the son Henry fatally underestimates, lives in their shadows, growing increasingly malcontent. Eleanor, wife, mother, queen, gives 16 years of her life for one mistake, and yet rises above them all in the end.

I enjoyed Devil’s Brood, as I enjoy most of Sharon Kay Penman’s novels. She is a gifted storyteller with the ability to make you like – or at least sympathize with - historical characters you might otherwise disdain. The history is never a mere backdrop, but a full course meal of authenticity, romanticism and imagination. The author’s historical note at the end helpfully explains where she embellished or changed historical fact.

If you like Elizabeth Chadwick, especially the William Marshal novels, you’ll like Devil’s Brood, in which Marshal appears throughout. Rating: Excellent! Note: This review is based on the Advanced Reading Copy.

The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal

A classic novel of the gay experience during the post-Depression era, The City and the Pillar deserves praise for its candid portrayal of homosexuality during a time when being gay was considered shameful and immoral. The book originally appeared in 1948, making it contemporary fiction rather than a historical novel.

I read a version printed in 1961, which is significant only in that the copyright page states that the author made minor edits to two pages. There is no explanation. While it doesn’t seem likely that a slight altering of two pages would change the story, I thought I’d highlight the fact that my review is based on a more current edition.

While the novel broke ground concerning a subject that was taboo and paved the way for future authors of gay fiction, the story is not well-developed. It doesn’t flow. It starts, stops and stutters like a scratched CD (or record, if you are of the generations that remember record players).

I had trouble sympathizing with the main character, Jim Willard. His personality seemed flat, which may have been a statement in and of itself, except that all the characters lacked dimension.

It may have been the case that Vidal was taking care not to pass judgment. But the ending required the kind of anger that borders on madness. While Willard may well have been mad, his reticent personality showed no evidence of it. Rather, he exhibited a sudden eruption of anger that left me unconvinced.

But I’m judging the novel from a distance of 60 years. Attitudes have changed, although room for improvement certainly exists. As time marches on, it becomes increasingly difficult to appreciate the remarkable courage it took to write and publish such a book. Thus, I recommend it to all as a reminder of what was at a time that really isn’t all that far into the past. Rating: Good.

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears

While I used to devour mysteries as if they were a source of life’s sustenance, I have not read more than a few over the past couple of years. They became too formulaic, if not entirely predictable. Many of the historical mysteries just didn’t offer enough history to hold my attention. Thus, when I read that An Instance of the Fingerpost was hailed as a literary mystery set against the background of the English Restoration, I was intrigued.

It did not disappoint. Told from four points of view - two of which are actual historical characters - the novel centers around the murder of Robert Grove, a senior fellow of New College in Oxford. Four characters relate the circumstances of his death. None are lying, but only one knows what really happened.

This clever presentation kept me stumped up to the end. Moreover, whodunnit was incidental to the real intrigue taking place in Charles II’s court. This involved a conspiracy to rival the Popish Plot.

An Instance of the Fingerpost is an intellectual’s mystery story. You may need a scorecard to keep the evidence, the players, their biases and interpretations in order. Along the way, you’ll pick up a lot of the history of the era. I counted no less than 8 actual historical figures – Richard Lower (one of the first physicians to experiment with blood transfusions), John Locke (philosopher), Robert Boyle (chemist), Thomas Ken (bishop), John Thurloe (spymaster for Oliver Cromwell), John Wallis (mathematician), Anthony Wood (historian) and Christopher Wren (astronomer/architect).

When historical fiction leaves me hungering to learn more about the history, it’s done its job. An Instance of the Fingerpost is my second favorite read of the year, falling only behind As Meat Loves Salt (read review), which is a very different kind of story told, ironically, during a slightly earlier time period. Rating: Excellent!

Fiction and Non-Fiction on Richard II

Brian Wainwright, author of Within The Fetterlock, a historical novel about Constance of York who was Edward III’s granddaughter and Richard II’s cousin, offers a bibliography of fiction and non-fiction on Richard II. I especially appreciate that Wainwright highlights the novels that are biographical fiction. He lists separately those that provide background information on Richard or the times.

Next to the entry for Anya Seton’s Katherine, Wainwright remarks that he includes it just in case “there’s anyone out there who hasn’t read it.” That would be me. In fact, I haven’t read any of these books, so I’m going to have to get busy.

Gaveston by Chris Hunt

Told from Edward II’s point of view, Gaveston relates the life of his friend and lover from the time of his arrival in England as a teenager until his murder during the early years of Edward’s reign. Edward’s attraction is immediate.

Piers Gaveston was the most beautiful creation on God’s earth…. [He] had eyes as green as emeralds and a smile that dazzled like the sun….

But Gaveston’s beauty was to be, in Edward’s eyes, his curse. For as much as Edward loves him, others seethe with anger over his special treatment. They resent the gifts Edward bestows on him. They further blame him for Edward’s inattention to important matters ranging from securing his inheritance to dealing with the Scottish wars.

In time, Edward’s cousin, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, conspire to capture and kill Gaveston. But the story doesn’t end quite at this point. There’s a brief accounting of Edward’s later relationship with Hugh le Despenser and a 4-paragraph epilogue on Roger Mortimer’s and Isabelle’s (Edward’s queen) imprisonment of Edward.

While the author’s knowledge of the subject is impressive and her inventions (Thomas’ and Edward’s youthful sexual experiments) make sense in light of the story, I find myself unable to recommend it without qualification except to those who never tire of reading about this time period or these characters.

The problem with the novel is threefold: While well-researched, it never really breaks out of the gay historical romance model. The sex is often, explicit and largely unnecessary. Second, while Edward clearly was a weak ineffectual king, his portrayal as an immature, petulant, sniveling man who can’t get Gaveston’s nether parts out of his head grates.

Third, telling the story from Edward’s point of view sometimes made it farcical. For instance, at the end of a section where Edward tells about leaving England to marry Isabelle, he says, “I simply cannot understand why so many people took offence when I left him [Gaveston] regent in my absence.” While Edward lacked good judgment, this remark makes him stupid. Rating: Good.

See also: Read a review of this novel from someone who is quite knowledgeable about the man: Gaveston by Chris Hunt on Edward II.

Historical Fiction on Eleanor of Acquitaine

Updated 2 September 2008. A most unique and interesting woman, Eleanor of Acquitaine was at different times queen to the kings of two countries – Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. She inherited Aquitaine (southwestern portion of France) at the tender age of 15 when her father, Duke William, died without a male heir.

Eleanor lived an eventful life. She actively recruited soldiers from her duchy in preparation for the Second Crusade. She also joined the Crusade.

When she became bored with Louis, she attempted to divorce him. Later, the two received an annulment.

Eleanor then married Henry, 11 years her junior. They were crowned king and queen of England together in December 1154. Eleanor again became disgruntled about 12 years later, superficially because of Henry’s public affair with Rosamond Clifford. She returned to Aquitaine.

By 1172, she was leading her older sons (Young King, Richard and Geoffrey) into rebellion against Henry. The short-lived uprising ended in her capture. Eleanor remained Henry’s prisoner for 16 years.

After his death, she ruled England while Richard was on crusade. Eleanor died in 1204 at about the age of 82. (Source: Marion Meade, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Penguin Books, 1977)

Regarding historical fiction about Eleanor, see the reading list below. Use the resources available in Find Books to locate copies. Or for books currently available at Amazon, follow the title links. Fuzzy History receives a small commission for referral purchases.

Green titles comprise those I really enjoyed (Excellent to Very Good rating). If there is no comment following the title, I haven’t read the book and I know nothing about it. Please feel free to suggest titles by leaving a comment.

Alinor by Roberta Gellis. The second book in The Roselynde Chronicles, a historical romance with strong historical background. Eleanor plays a minor role.

Beloved Enemy by Ellen Jones. The focus is on the relationship between Henry and Eleanor during their early years.

The Book of Eleanor by Pamela Kaufman. Historically inaccurate, but if accuracy isn’t high on your list of requirements in historical fiction, you may enjoy the romantic tale.

The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey. A historical mystery with intrigue centering around Eleanor and her desire to retrieve a secret cache of letters.

Champion by L. Christian Balling. Biographical fiction on the knight, William Marshall (see The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion), with Eleanor in the background.

The Court of Love by Denee Cody. A historical romance with many of the problems associated with the genre.

The Courts of Love by Peter Bourne. A historical romance.

The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy. The 5th book in the Queens of England Series focuses on Eleanor.

Cruel as the Grave by Sharon Kay Penman. The second in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.

Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige. A historical mystery with early 20th century researchers investigating the poisoning of Rosamund Clifford.

Devil’s Brood by Alfred Duggan. Covers much of the same ground as Sharon Kay Penman’s new novel by the same title.

Devil’s Brood by Sharon Kay Penman. The third book in the Henry II and Eleanor trilogy will be released in October 2008. It covers the later years of their marriage.

Dragon’s Lair by Sharon Kay Penman. The third in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.

Duchess of Aquitaine by Margaret Ball. Biographical fiction on Eleanor.

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine by Kristiana Gregory. Young adult fiction.

Eleanor: The Passionate Queen by Anne Powers.

Eleanor the Queen by Nora Lofts. Biographical fiction on Eleanor. Later reprinted as Queen in Waiting.

Forever Love by Laurie Grant. Historical romance.

The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. Biographical fiction on William Marshal, a knight during the reigns of Henry II and his sons. Eleanor once saved his life. She appears throughout.

The Lion in Winter: A Play by James Goldman. Tells the story of Henry and Eleanor starting in 1183, six years prior to Henry’s death.

The Lion of England by Margaret Butler. Henry takes a fictional mistress with pagan beliefs while Eleanor is imprisoned for leading the rebellion of his sons. (World Historical Fiction, Oryx Press, 1998)

The Lute Player by Nora Lofts. Biographical fiction on Eleanor’s son, Richard I. Part of the story told from Eleanor’s point of view.

Mortal Love by Linda Hutchins. Eleanor muses about the people she knows and the way she passes her days. (World Historical Fiction, Oryx Press, 1998)

My Lady Troubadour by Maureen Peters.

The Passionate Brood by Margaret Campbell Barnes. Focuses on the sons of Henry and Eleanor.

The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy. This is the first of 14 books in the Plantagenet Saga. It covers Eleanor’s early years.

A Pride of Kings by Juliet Dymoke. The first book in The Plantagenets series, it covers Eleanor, Henry, Richard and John.

Prince of Darkness by Sharon Kay Penman. The fourth in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg. Young adult fiction.

The Queen’s Man by Sharon Kay Penman. The first book in a historical mystery series set during the time of Henry and Eleanor.

The Queen’s War by Jeanne MacKin. Focuses on the first rebellion of Henry’s sons, the Young King, Richard and Geoffrey.

The Revolt of the Eaglets by Jean Plaidy. This is the second book in the Plantagenet Saga. It covers Eleanor’s marriage to Henry and her involvement in sons’ first rebellion. It’s much the same ground covered in Devil’s Brood.

The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick. Biographical fiction on William Marshal, a knight during the reigns of Henry II and his sons. Focuses on the years after his marriage to Isabel de Clare. Eleanor appears throughout.

The Serpent’s Tale by Ariana Franklin. Eleanor is the prime suspect in this historical murder mystery that involves the death of Henry’s mistress, Rosamund Clifford. (U.K. title is The Death Maze)

Through a Glass Darkly by Carol Phillips Cooke.

The Tigress and the Rose by Richard Cameron Low. I found no information on this book, but the subtitle indicates it’s about Eleanor and Rosamund Clifford, one of Henry’s mistresses.

Time and Chance by Sharon Kay Penman. I haven’t read this novel yet. The second in the Henry II and Eleanor trilogy, it covers the early years of their marriage.