Jaye (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jayes_musings) wrote2009-11-04 11:41 am
jayes_musings) wrote2009-11-04 11:41 am
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Book Review: The Devil's Brood
Okay, so I haven't even finished this book yet and I'm still reviewing it, but as I know the ending, that fact isn't that important.
The Devil's Brood is the latest book by one of my very favourite writers, Sharon Kay Penman. It is the third in her Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy and follows When Christ and His Saints Slept and Time and Chance
It picks off where the last left off, about a year after the murder of Thomas Becket and follows the rebellions of Henry's sons and the imprisonment of Eleanor. It is fine writing, and as her books always are, very intricately researched (which is why she takes so long to publish a new one!), and it's also clear that she has taken much of the characterization for Henry, Eleanor, Richard, Geoffrey, John and Phillip from my favourite film, Lion in Winter, not that is detrimental at all...as they were all very fine performances, and such nuances are left to the writer and can hardly be found in historical texts or chronicles.
What strikes me most, and has had me nearly squeeing in parts, is how much Henry reminds me of Hsu...and Hal (the eldest son and co-king, until his untimely death) reminds me of Daniel, and the dynamic between them. Henry clearly loves his children, and he tries to please them, but he also needs to control them...using the titles and lands he gives them as bait to keep them loyal. Hal is promised lands and the revenue from those lands, just not right now. Geoffrey is made Duke of Brittany, but is not given two castles that provide a great amount of income...but is promised when the time is right. This builds their resentment, but Henry just doesn't see it, and is genuinely surprised when they rebel. Because he does everything for their own good...he just doesn't bother finding out what their own good actually is.
On the other hand, Hal is an impulsive, popular, friendly young man who is full of charm, is the darling of the tournament circuit but is as bendable to changes as anyone. He is a spoilt brat who thinks kingship is all party and no responsibility and is easily swayed by those who would see Henry beaten. And Henry is so far into denial about his son's shortcomings until it is nearly too late.
God, but it is a brilliant book...and very relatable to my muses!
The Devil's Brood is the latest book by one of my very favourite writers, Sharon Kay Penman. It is the third in her Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy and follows When Christ and His Saints Slept and Time and Chance
It picks off where the last left off, about a year after the murder of Thomas Becket and follows the rebellions of Henry's sons and the imprisonment of Eleanor. It is fine writing, and as her books always are, very intricately researched (which is why she takes so long to publish a new one!), and it's also clear that she has taken much of the characterization for Henry, Eleanor, Richard, Geoffrey, John and Phillip from my favourite film, Lion in Winter, not that is detrimental at all...as they were all very fine performances, and such nuances are left to the writer and can hardly be found in historical texts or chronicles.
What strikes me most, and has had me nearly squeeing in parts, is how much Henry reminds me of Hsu...and Hal (the eldest son and co-king, until his untimely death) reminds me of Daniel, and the dynamic between them. Henry clearly loves his children, and he tries to please them, but he also needs to control them...using the titles and lands he gives them as bait to keep them loyal. Hal is promised lands and the revenue from those lands, just not right now. Geoffrey is made Duke of Brittany, but is not given two castles that provide a great amount of income...but is promised when the time is right. This builds their resentment, but Henry just doesn't see it, and is genuinely surprised when they rebel. Because he does everything for their own good...he just doesn't bother finding out what their own good actually is.
On the other hand, Hal is an impulsive, popular, friendly young man who is full of charm, is the darling of the tournament circuit but is as bendable to changes as anyone. He is a spoilt brat who thinks kingship is all party and no responsibility and is easily swayed by those who would see Henry beaten. And Henry is so far into denial about his son's shortcomings until it is nearly too late.
God, but it is a brilliant book...and very relatable to my muses!
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