Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Here Be Dragons
Book Review: Enjoyable History Lesson
Summary: 5 Stars
Here be Dragons, a reference made by early cartographers when mapping unknown and wild lands. 12th century Wales was such a country--its various tribes warring with each other since time immemorial. England, by today's standards, was barely better yet onto this stage, step the most amazing cast of true-life characters. No boring history lesson is this--Ms. Penman lovingly brings the reader into the story toward the end of King Henry the first's reign. During the age that witnessed the birth of modern nation-states and the signing of the Magna Carta, we meet Llewelyn, a ten-year old Welsh boy brought to England by his mother when she marries a Norman Lord and Joanna, the five year-old bastard daughter of the king's youngest son John. Political intrigue, war and tragedy abound as we follow a large cast of characters through the next thirty years. Llewelyn, destined for greatness, and Joanna, used by her father as a political pawn are married when Joanna is fourteen. In a time when marriages are made for political power and no account is taken for a woman's choice, theirs is one of the great romances of history. Ms. Penman masterfully brings a bone dry history lesson to life as historical figures breathe again--are filled with motive, rage, love, fear, hope, longing and sorrow. It is not without reason that this book is found on many lists of the best historical novels of all time.Book Review: Excellent start to a remarkable trilogy
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this book over 20 years ago, and it became among my favorite reads. I was enthralled with her picture of Wales, and her handle on the history of the times. I proceded to read everything by Penman, and decided that since her new book Lionheart was going to be published soon, I'd restart them all, starting with this one.
There is much to love about this book. For anyone interested in history, the accuracy with which she depicts the place and time and historic events is spot on (tho she will even tell you that there were some changes she would have made to the book based on what she knows now). The story line, Joanna's conflict between John and Llywellen, was seamless with the history that she tells us. Her characters seem to almost jump out of the book, and I felt myself caring quite a bit for them. That being said, my reread this time around made me feel a little differently about the book. Its still fine writing - but I have found that I am less of a romantic over the years, and have less interest in details of romances. There were many sex scenes that really did not need the amount of description in the book. I also found myself being a little bothered by Joanna, esp in the section of the book after John dies. But I suspect this is all because of how I changed over the years. The book is still an excellent read. The ending, even now, brought a bit of a sniffle to me, a jaded old cynic. Quite a remarkable feat, that.
FWIW, of her books, I think When Christ and His Saints Slept is my top favorite. But I definitely recommend all of her books, to anyone interested in the history of Wales and England, and in reading an excellent story.
Book Review: Fabulous read, give it a try.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first Penman novel I read (recommended by another Amazon reader) and it's a whopper. I had serious doubts about it in the first chapter...I wasn't certain I'd be able to keep all of the historical figures straight and my unfamiliarity with anything Welsh made it difficult to follow at first. But as it turns out, after that first chapter, I simply could not put this book down.
This is not a cheap romance book, folks. Rather, it is an extremely compelling historical novel in which Penman takes real-life people and fills in the historical blanks (personal details which we have no way of knowing for certain). Her research is absolutely meticulous and where historical mistakes are made, she acknowledges them on her website.
Whether you are a medieval historian or just curious about this period of history, Penman will deliver a first-rate history lesson and a great tale at the same time.
Book Review: Great Reading, history comes to life
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first book of the wonderful trilogy of the Welsh Princes and England. The author, Sharon Kay Penman has the very gifted ability of placing the reader into the story as an unseen observer of events. If only our history lessons could come in the guise Ms. Penman gives us, she brings the stories to life once again as we discover that although our surroundings do change thru time still, royalty/leaders, politicians and the church/clergy have remained much the same thru the ages being that, what qualifies as deception and treason remains the same.Book Review: Here Be Dragons
Summary: 5 Stars
Another thrilling Medieval historical novel from Ms. Penman. You'll not be able to put this down as well, you feel you are there living with the characters doesn't get any better than this.