Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Here Be Dragons
Book Review: Penman's Best -Utterly Captivating Storyline
Summary: 5 Stars
This happened to be the first Penman novel I read,quite by chance and it was very quickly followed by Sunne in Splendour and the others as they appeared. It has remained one of my favorite books, and one of the few I have read & re-read. I won't include a synopsis, as many before me have written those in completion. My entry is only to help persuade those who have not yet had the pleasure. Read, and enjoy :)Book Review: Really enjoyed
Summary: 5 Stars
I got exactly what I was looking for when I bought this book: a compelling story, a fairly accurate portrayal of historical events, characters and circumstances, and an author with a vivid writing style. Ms. Penman truly is one of the best in her genre, as so many other reviewers have said.
There is fair bit of "romance," in Dragons. If you were hoping for a scholarly dissertation on King John and the Plantagenet's you're shopping in the wrong section. On the other hand, if you are looking for an entertaining read with a healthy respect for the historical period in which it's set, you've found your book.
I have a background in history, but am fairly ignorant about the Norman conquest and 11th/12th/13th century Britain. Thus, I found this book peaked my interest in a whole new direction and will likely be following this up with some non-fiction research on the period.
As some others have mentioned, Penman does employ stilted grammar and gratuitous use of the word "Jesu" in an attempt to authenticate her dialogue. I found this annoying at first, but eventually came to accept it as one of the few flaws in an otherwise solid work.
Overall, my highest recommendations!
Book Review: Rich in Detail, Sparse in Fun
Summary: 2 Stars
As all the previous reviewers state, yes, Penman paints a detailed picture, and yes, it's all fantastically researched. The problem I had with this book was that the first 500 pages focused on impersonal characters' fight for land. We hear ad nauseum about John and Lllewelyn fighting over land, and they only come off as whiny, spoiled folks who feel entitled to everything. The extra characters all had the same or similar names, and although this isn't Penman's fault (historical accuracy), but she doesn't go far enough to help us remember who and what is going on. The first 250 pages or so don't seem to be relevant to the main story.
The last 200 pages or so heat up quite nicely, and focus on the relationship between 2 of the main characters and we actually read some human emotion.
Maybe historical fiction about royal families just isn't my thing, since I seem to be in the vast minority here. I'd much rather read about the common man's history (try "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks or anything by Willa Cather).
Book Review: Sharron does it again
Summary: 5 Stars
First in a trilogy Here be dragons is amazing. Slow sometimes but rather fast at others it gives King John, Richard and even Henry real character. Joanna is amazingly well portrayed for the young woman she is.Book Review: There Be Dragons
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very subjective review not based on my abilities to write a review but on my impressions of the book itself and the author: I was totally spellbound by this book, it's story and it's author's ability to stay so true to history; and how she fills her characters with fact and imagination to make 3-dimensioned characters. I have read many books of this nature and traveled through the sites mentioned in the book and these characters and scenes come to life for me in reading and in reality. I applaud Mrs. Penman's expertise.