Time and Chance

By: Sharon Kay Penman

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

In When Christ and His Saints Slept, acclaimed historical novelist Sharon Kay Penman portrayed all the deceit, danger, and drama of Henry II’s ascension to the throne. Now, in Time and Chance, she continues the ever-more-captivating tale.

It was medieval England’s immortal marriage—Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II, bound by passion and ambition, certain to leave a legacy of greatness. But while lust would divide them, it was friendship—and ultimately faith—that brought bloodshed into their midst. It began with Thomas Becket, Henry’s closest confidant, and his elevation to be Archbishop of Canterbury. It ended with a perceived betrayal that made a royal murder seem inevitable. Along the way were enough scheming, seductions, and scandals to topple any kingdom but their own. . . .

Only Sharon Kay Penman can re-create this truly tumultuous time—and capture the couple who loved power as much as each other . . . and a man who loved God most of all.

A spectacular 2nd book of an incredible series of novels. As before, the writing & the narration were perfect.

Following on the lives of Europe's most splendid historic couple, Henry II and Eleanor, was fascinating. The birth of their every child, especially Richard the Lionheart, then him and his older brothers growing into youths that gave their father pride, had been most entertaining. Aside from learning about Henry II's cherished mistress that broke Eleanor's heart, though certainly accurate, it also made me sympathizing with her greatly, while picturing it all in almost vivid clarity. Which speaks volumes of the remarkable writing, that can take any reader into those days of the past.

Best historical medieval fiction

Penman will be sorely missed. I look forward to reading the next in this gripping series. And narrator/reader Anne Flosnik is outstanding.

A good novel

Balanced telling of the Thomas Becket story…. The best covered medieval murder there ever was!

Fascinating Marriage!

4.5
I rounded my rating up to 5 stars because only round numbers are permitted. This is a very good historical novel. It is the second in a trilogy Sharon Kay Penman has written on the lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It covers the middle period of their celebrated English medieval marriage and includes the birth of their 8 children, Henry's romance with Rosamund Clifford, and his friendship and infamous fatal conflict with Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Penman portrays Beckett far differently than as the "saint" we meet in many other accounts of him. Here he is shown as a significantly flawed man, responsible for at least his share in fanning the flames of enmity between himself and Henry. His death is described in detail and matches several historical accounts I have read of the event.

As always, this author has done her research. Readers are invited into the culture and society of this period, contrasting its opulence and brutal hardships. While we cannot know the exact conversations these historical characters actually had with one another, the structure of their lives is as accurate as the documentation can make it after nearly 1000 years. I appreciate that the author provides Notes at the end of the book to explain minor changes she made for the sake of good narrative. She also describes a few characters she invented for her fictional account.

But this tale is basically true, consistent with nonfictional information from the period as well as what is known of the characters themselves. Henry and Eleanor have fascinated historians and romantics for a very long time. They were heroic, admirable, but also tragic and deplorable. They brought out the best and the worst in each other. Their story is endlessly intriguing, as partners and adversaries but also as unique independent individuals. Sharon Kay Penman writes excellent historical fiction; Time and Chance is one of her best.

Excellent

Actually that sums up my review. I have to admit that I’ve listened to it a few times and to many other authors of historical fiction that have so little truth to the actual history that it’s really just fiction. There should be a better distinction between historical fiction and fiction novel based on historical fiction? If that makes sense!