Falls the Shadow

Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: I was up until 3:00 AM trying to get to the end, but at the same time not wanting the story to be over. This is such a moving story, made even more so by SKP'S beautiful writing. Don't miss this one.

Rating:
Summary: Don't scroll down!
Review: There's an awful spoiler by one "seangator" that gives away the ending in these reviews, so be warned not to read them if you don't want the ending ruined. I emailed Amazon that they should pull it.

Excellently realized history; my only problem is so many players, many with similar names.

The clash of wills between Henry III and Simon is interesting throughout.

Rating:
Summary: Great, as always
Review: Again, Sharon Kay Penman proves she owns the historical novel. The great thing about this trilogy ("Shadow" is the second, preceded by "Here Be Dragons" and followed by "The Reckoning") is that each book can be read alone without having to refer to the others. I particularly enjoy her handling of sensitive issues, such as the rampant anti-Semitism that existed during that time--the scene between Simon de Montfort and a rabbi who begs mercy after the Jewish ghetto in London is destroyed on the basis of rumor that gold is hidden there is an absolute triumph. A lesser writer would have had de Montfort and the rabbi become best friends, but Penman sets up a conflict in the mind of de Montfort that allows him to appreciate the rabbi's intelligence while damning him for not being a Christian and trying to convert the rabbi on the spot. Readers who like their historical novels fluffy think Penman's work is too violent, but she is simply the best at what she does.

Rating:
Summary: Majestic history
Review: Again, SKP writes a wonderful book, demonstrates a tremendous talent for bringing long dead places and people to life. I have to admit to the smallest of disappointments, however (note, still, that I'm giving the book 4 stars, which is VERY GOOD). Being new to the actual history, I read a little about Simon de Montfort before tackling this, saw him referred to as one of the most powerful personalities of his time. Perhaps I expected too much, or something different, but I had a difficult time balancing the Simon de Montfort in Falls the Shadow with the Simon I read of in the history books. I also had more of a sense that I was being *told* that Henry was incompetent, instead of shown -- as if I (the reader) was being rushed through this book to get to the next, which I've just started reading. In stark contrast, I didn't need to be told that Llewelyn (in Here Be Dragons) was great -- I knew by reading that he was.

But that's as critical as I can be of the book. Oddly enough, when reading Nell's "conversation" with the dead Simon, it was almost exactly two years ago to the minute that I had lost a dear partner, and once again I give SKP the highest marks for getting directly in touch with the emotion of loss. As well, the conversation between Nell and Edward, when Nell presented Edward with her list, was perfection. She adeptly scripted Edward, who loved Nell with all his heart, but bore no love for Simon. His guilt, if it can be called that, was well done.

I also enjoyed her treatment of anti-semitism. Not being anti-semitic, the deep passion of its roots anti-semitism have long escaped me. As SKP said in her afterword, she made no apologies for it, presented it as it was, and did a terrific job. I saw through the eyes of a 13th century Christian why Jews were so reviled. It was sobering, for I couldn't help but wonder how different the world would be if such bigotry had never existed. It was a better history lesson than I've ever received.

Rating:
Summary: The Middle Ages Come Alive
Review: As an avid reader of historical fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed Penman's rendition of the medieval times. I tried picking up a nonfiction account of Simon de Montfort, but all it told me was historical facts about de Montfort's life. Penman brought him and his contemporaries to life through her character portraits and dialogues. I'm glad she does so much justice to the "strong" women in history; Nell de Montfort is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: Simon de Montfort (by stardustraven)
Review: As Ms. Penman explains in her author's note 'Falls the shadow' was originally intended to be the shared history of Simon the Montfort and Llewelyn ap Gruffydd. This second installment of the Welsh trilogy chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester (1200-1265). Yet it's tightly interwoven with the youth and emergence of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, grandson of Llewelyn Fawr, the last Welsh Prince, who shared his grandfather's vision of an independent and united Wales.

With her usual brilliance Ms. Penman portrays with Simon a flawed yet highly remarkable man. By showing his struggle with his brother-in-law King Henry III, known as the Baron's War. He was the first to bring forward the idea of representative government. Simon allied himself with the young Llewelyn by betrothing his daughter Eleanor (Ellen) to the Welsh Prince. But events led ultimately to Simon's death in the battle of Evesham (1265), when Prince Edward, heir to the throne defeated him.

'Falls the shadow' evokes vividly and brilliantly the lives of Simon and his contemporaries. Through Ms. Penman's excellent characterization they just seem to leap from the pages. So vibrant and passionate are her characters. We bid adieu to some beloved characters like Joanna and Llewelyn Fawr. New important players appear upon the stage, most notably Llewelyn ap Gruffydd and the future Edward I. Nor should I forget to mention the strong female characters, and Nell (Eleanor) de Montfort first and foremost. A lady after my heart. Intelligent, strong and bold, a woman in the mold of her famous grandmother Eleanor of Aquitaine. Nell defied her brother Henry III when she married Simon and she was certainly not a docile lamb. But an active partner in a remarkable marriage and not fazed by so-called men of power.

This is intelligent and wonderful historical fiction, thirteenth century England and Wales were vibrantly brought to life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.

Rating:
Summary: by far the best in historical novel
Review: As usual, I read the series out of order.(quite by accident) But going in reverse did not affect the stories. It is so hard to find decent true historical novels and I haven't found any better than Penman's. I can't wait for her next work.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book, Wonderful Author, but...
Review: I am a thorough admirer of Sharon Kay Penman's work. She is a truly gifted writer able to bring long dead people and times to life via her meticulous research and gift for storytelling. I was somewhat disappointed in Falls the Shadow though. Granted, Simon de Montfort was an important historical figure and the events of his life are interesting so this should have been a great story. Why then did this book turn out a little, well...boring. I found it did not reach the same heights of engrossing storytelling as Here Be Dragons, the first book in the series, which I LOVED. I also have to gripe about calling these 3 books a "Welsh Trilogy" as hardly any of the action in this second book takes place in Wales. Falls the Shadow is certainly a well researched and written book and I remain an admirer of this author. I look forward to more of her work but this one just didn't do it for me.

Rating:
Summary: Not at all what it's cracked up to be.
Review: I don't see what all the fuss is about. I've tried to read this book on several occasions when I was desparate for a good read and have inevitably found it awkwardly written, somewhat mawkish, and entirely unconvincing (perhaps the worst flaw in an historical novel). The characters are pedestrian and unappealing, the dialogue is dull and artificial sounding and the plot just drags. It certainly doesn't make you feel you're encountering anyone real or even a real period in history. Because I like to give every book a fair chance, I'll probably pick it up once or twice more and try to finish it -- but I've long since gotten past the stage where I believe I'm obligated to read any book through to the end, merely because I've picked it up. I'm amazed sometimes at just what gets published today -- and what gets good reviews! For a really fine historical novel set a century or two earlier in England, I refer the interested reader to The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz. Penman is just not in her class. By Stuart W. Mirsky ([e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: The story was engrossing, intriguing, and a wonderful story.
Review: I have never been an avid reader but I love history. This story is history and fiction wrapped into one of the greatest stories I had ever heard. It reminds me of the tales of King Arthur and the stories of William Wallace and Rob Roy. The characters are so real and heroic yet so tragic. This story will make you laugh, gringe, and cry. It brings the past alive and, for history lovers, the culture and the events will remain in your memory for all time.