'The Sunne in Splendour' is a magnificent historical novel about Richard III. Set against a vast, colourful canvas it covers the whole period of The War of the Roses opening with Richard as a child of seven and following him through a turbulent youth and manhood to his betrayal and death at The Battle of Bosworth Field. The historical detail is brilliantly depicted and brings to life the atmosphere of the time with extraordinary immediacy and excitement.
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About the Author
Sharon Penman is one of the most popular historical novelists writing today. Her bestselling story of Richard III, The Sunne in Splendour, was published in 1982 and her acclaimed Welsh trilogy, Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, was similarly successful. Time and Chance is the second in a trilogy that opened with When Christ and His Saints Slept (1994). Sharon Penman has travelled widely on both sides of the Atlantic researching her work. She lives in New Jersey.
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Richard did not become frightened until darkness began to settle over the woods. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Richard did not become frightened until darkness began to settle over the woods. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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70 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Sunne in Splendour is an incredible book. I have read all of Sharon Penman's novels, and thoroughly enjoyed all of them, but this is far and away my favourite. I think that Richard III has
had a terrible and undeserved reputation, and this book goes a long way to rectifying this. It is never trivial, or patronising, it just tells a completely different story to the one we have all been brought up to believe. Richard is not portrayed as a hunch-backed, uncaring monster, more as a man faced with unspeakable dilemmas, and no way out. I admit to having a soft spot for Richard Plantagenet, and I do feel that he has been treated very unfairly by history. However, this book enables him to have his say, and to try to put the record staright. He was betrayed, and the battle scene description at Bosworth Field, when he knew that treason had been committed, moved me to tears. This book doesn't just deal in facts, it also
gives the story from a more personal view, and that made it more appealing to me. I loved it. Read it, so will you.
had a terrible and undeserved reputation, and this book goes a long way to rectifying this. It is never trivial, or patronising, it just tells a completely different story to the one we have all been brought up to believe. Richard is not portrayed as a hunch-backed, uncaring monster, more as a man faced with unspeakable dilemmas, and no way out. I admit to having a soft spot for Richard Plantagenet, and I do feel that he has been treated very unfairly by history. However, this book enables him to have his say, and to try to put the record staright. He was betrayed, and the battle scene description at Bosworth Field, when he knew that treason had been committed, moved me to tears. This book doesn't just deal in facts, it also
gives the story from a more personal view, and that made it more appealing to me. I loved it. Read it, so will you.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Having read all of Sharon Penman,s books I consider this to be the best. Although described as a novel about Richard III much of the book deals with his brother, Edward IV, and their close relationship. Ms Penman chronicles the War of the Roses in an easy to read style that allows you to understand the relationship between the various characters and the political intrigue of the day. At the same time the book reads as an exciting adventure novel that is very difficult to put down. A superb way to find out about this period of history, the book also leaves you feeling that more needs to be done in researching the life of Richard III and the mystery of the Murder of the Princes in the Tower. A DNA test on the supposed skeletons of the princes would be a good start. If you only ever read one historical novel then this should be it.
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Seethecave
Format:Paperback
I’m a big fan of historical fiction, and for some strange reason had never stumbled upon Sharon Penman. I was searching for new books to read when, ‘The Sunne in Splendour’ was recommended to me.
This is a magnificent book and the life of the House of York bounds out of the pages that scarcely allow you awareness of our own time and place. I vested so much emotional currency on this book, that when history revealed itself I was left with an unforgettable feeling of longing and loss.
First of all let me give you the book in short. The book is about Richard III. It starts to follow him as a young lad during the first few years of the War of the Roses. It gives extensive back story into Edward V, Richards’s brother. It takes the house of York from loss to ultimate triumph. Edward ascends the throne and Richard becomes the Duke of Gloucester. This book centres on the man Richard becomes, but it does so through the occurrences in Edwards reign. It then moves to Edwards’s death and Richard’s ascension to the throne and his ultimate battle. By ultimate battle I do not just mean in war. His personal life is as closely scrutinised as his public image, which brings a element of romance and sacrifice into the book.
It gives details and facts that are historically accurate, but what the author has done is to bind history with the characters and filled in their emotions and characteristics based on fact and intuition. The truth of such matters after such a long time is suspect at best, but what this book brings us is a version of what it might have been like. You start to love Richards’s character and adore Edward V, all of a sudden your world is a swirling mass of banners and swords.
The authors view on the Richard III is not uncommon.
... Read more ›12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I read The White Queen by Philippa Gregory earlier in the year, I became intrigued by Richard III, the Wars of the Roses and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. The Sunne in Splendour was recommended to me as the best fictional account of Richard III, so I immediately bought a copy. As soon as I started reading I knew I was going to love this book. Not only did it turn out to be the best historical fiction book I've read for a long time, it was also one of the best books of any type that I've read this year.
The Sunne in Splendour tells the complete life story of Richard III from childhood to death. Penman portrays Richard as a sympathetic figure who has been unfairly treated by history. Sadly, he is often thought of today as the villain of Shakespeare's Richard III: the evil hunchback who murdered his nephews. It's worth remembering though, that Shakespeare lived in Tudor England - and it was Henry Tudor who defeated Richard, the last of the Plantagenet kings.
The Wars of the Roses is the term used to describe a series of battles and rebellions that took place between two branches of the English royal family, the House of York and the House of Lancaster, during the late fifteenth century. I already had some basic knowledge of the period before I started reading this book, but even if you don't I think Penman makes it easy enough to understand. Sometimes a story can suffer from the author's attempts to include every little bit of interesting information they've uncovered in their research, but that's not actually a problem here. Yes, there's an enormous amount of detail, but everything feels necessary and helps to build up a vivid picture of Richard's world.... Read more ›
The Sunne in Splendour tells the complete life story of Richard III from childhood to death. Penman portrays Richard as a sympathetic figure who has been unfairly treated by history. Sadly, he is often thought of today as the villain of Shakespeare's Richard III: the evil hunchback who murdered his nephews. It's worth remembering though, that Shakespeare lived in Tudor England - and it was Henry Tudor who defeated Richard, the last of the Plantagenet kings.
The Wars of the Roses is the term used to describe a series of battles and rebellions that took place between two branches of the English royal family, the House of York and the House of Lancaster, during the late fifteenth century. I already had some basic knowledge of the period before I started reading this book, but even if you don't I think Penman makes it easy enough to understand. Sometimes a story can suffer from the author's attempts to include every little bit of interesting information they've uncovered in their research, but that's not actually a problem here. Yes, there's an enormous amount of detail, but everything feels necessary and helps to build up a vivid picture of Richard's world.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the Intrigue!
Excellent read! I really enjoy medieval history and this one hits the spot - quite sorry to get to the end! Read more
Published 4 days ago by lynne ballantine
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant book
I absolutely love this book. I coudn't put it down and it is refreshing to read a book that doesn't vilify Richard 3rd.
Published 9 days ago by Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best ever
I have been enthralled by this book, it has set the scene that I could almost feel I was there watching and involved in the day to day happenings. A truly great book.
Published 14 days ago by carol faulkner
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Novels
This novel is why Sharon Penman has become one of my favourite authors. The most beautiful language. Well researched. Exciting story and fascinating characters. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Else Grønbech
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent
Sharon Penman can do no wrong. This is the first book of hers that I read and I was blown away. Writing about well known historical events/periods is always risky because there is... Read more
Published 17 days ago by F. Cotton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly readable History
I loved that it gave a totally different perspective of Richard the Third and introduced me to a period of English History that I only knew the bare facts about.
Published 22 days ago by CA
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not finished yet
But I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think the author has given me a different view point on the characters and rather than seeming distant Royalty and Nobles, they have become very... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Yvonne Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling read
I absolutely loved this book, in fact it is my favourite book of all time!! It is obviously a well researched book, painting a wonderful tapestry of life in England during &... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maggie
5.0 out of 5 stars
It didn't disappoint
This book has been on my wishlist for some time but I was always a bit daunted by the sheer size of it! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anne Davis
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Sunne in Splendour - Kindle edition
Well. The book itself is fantastic, could not put it down. It was thoroughly enjoyable & clear even though my first language is not English. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Raab
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