The Sunne in Splendour

[Margaret]

A favorite novel for many HF readers is Penman's novel about Richard III, The Sunne in Splendour. I've reviewed it at http://www.HistoricalNovels.info/Sunne-in-Splendour.html. It's a big novel, like other Penman novels, and it's about a lot more than just Richard, though he is the center of the novel. In the early part of the novel, Edward IV, Richard's elder brother, is an especially important and central character. Some have criticized this novel for its extremely sympathetic view of Richard. This didn't bother me while I was reading, but in retrospect Penman presented him as someone who almost could do no wrong, which is a bit unrealistic. Her portrayal of Edward IV is much more mixed and, in some ways, more interesting. What did other people think of this perspective on Richard III?

[Susan]

What did other people think of this perspective on Richard III?

I've read fiction and non-fiction about Richard III and I still undecided about him. I find it difficult to make a decision about him!

[boswellbaxter]

This is still one of my favorite historical novels, but when I re-read parts of it, it's more for the portraits of the other characters than of that of Richard III, who I believe is a bit too good to be true here. I also prefer the considerably more rounded portrait of Edward IV--he's a character who can surprise the reader. I think Penman also did a good job with Margaret of Anjou.

[Margaret]

Personally, I don't think the historical record is complete enough for us to know what kind of person Richard was, though a lot of people have very passionately held opinions about him. The Vulpes Libris blog ran a "Richard III Week" last week, and posted some very interesting essays. They're still up as of today (8/25/08) at http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/.

Another novel that explores the Richard III story is Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time, which I've reviewed at http://www.historicalnovels.info/Daughter_of_Time.html. It's set in modern times, but focuses on a Scotland Yard investigator's research into the question, "Did he or didn't he kill the Princes in the Tower?" He thinks Richard III is innocent - that's no spoiler, because he starts with that presumption - but comes up with a different culprit than Penman does.

[Telynor]

The Sunne in Splendour is one of my favourites, hands down. I am very eager for October this year, when there are a -lot- of new HF hitting the stores, including The Devil's Brood.

[diamondlil]

I think there are a number of us around who are eagerly waiting for October - not long to go at all!

[Melisende]

Unfortunately Richard will be forever tarred by the Tudor brush.

[Carla]

This is still one of my favorite historical novels, but when I re-read parts of it, it's more for the portraits of the other characters than of that of Richard III, who I believe is a bit too good to be true here. I also prefer the considerably more rounded portrait of Edward IV--he's a character who can surprise the reader. I think Penman also did a good job with Margaret of Anjou.

I was rereading this the other day, and was struck again by what an interesting and complex character Edward IV is. Unlike Richard, who as you say is a bit on the saintly side, Edward is ruthless enough to order the murder of his cousin (Henry VI) and brother, and yet he is also attractive and charming. One of the things I like about Sharon Penman's novels is that the sides are rarely black and white. Even in something like The Reckoning, where I bet many readers are blinking back tears at the end, Edward I isn't an out-and-out villain.

[Lauryn]

I'm reading this book right now, and I see SKP's characterisation of Richard to be not so much saintly, and capable of doing no wrong, but to be flawed in other ways. He seems to not WANT to do wrong, but makes some truly large mistakes by virtue of impatience, intolerance, or a lack of perception, and even by his not-thick-enough skin. As the Duke of Gloucester, and the right hand of Edward IV, these traits are managed well enough, or aren't under a spotlight, but when he is the King, or King-presumptive, big brother isn't there to run interference between Richard and the other magnates.

[zsigandr]

I would have to say that I agree with Lauryn and her analysis of SKPs portrayal of Richard III and with Melisende's statement about his character being tainted by Tudor influence.

I don't know that I believe that Richard murdered his nephews, but there really isn't any proof either way. It is interesting to think about who else had lots to gain from their deaths. With the death of the princes, Stafford thought he might have a chance - Henry Tudor was also closer to the throne and his mother was said to be ambitious for him.

I think that in SKPs book, he was always concerned with being everything to everyone. He had a lot of responsibility at a very young age, and being the 7th son, I think that he may have felt the need to prove himself. Edward was charismatic, handsome and well-liked. This would have been a difficult shadow to live under.

It appears that after the death of his son, then Anne, Richard becomes withdrawn and makes rash desicions, perhaps he no longer cared whether he lived or died. I don't find his behaviour saintly at this point. I think desperation ultimately drove him to his death with his failed attempt on Henry Tudor's life. These types of behaviours make him much more human in my eyes.

[rex icelingas]

Personally I think its an essential study
Everyone seems to grow up with the Shakespearian notion of the Evil and Murderous Crookback.It really is a great casebook in the study of Dynastic and Political propaganda whether read by the scholar of English or History,I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone with any interest in Richard III,even Shakespearians :)

[Margaret]

Good point, Rex. It's a very good political study. In some ways, it's immaterial whether or not Richard III murdered the Princes, because the politics surrounding the succession were much the same regardless of the individual characters of the various monarchs - though of course, how they are portrayed as personalities changes the whole tone of how we feel about the politics.

[sharon]

Hi, everyone. This isn't really about Sunne. I just felt compelled to mention that Richard III died at Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485. I posted on my Facebook wall the touching epitaph that he was given by the city of York if anyone wants to check it out. There is also a Richard III group on Goodreads.com I bet there isn't one for Henry Tudor, though!
Sharon

[sharon]

Hi, everyone. I thought this might be on interest to readers of Sunne. A Good Samaritan has posted on YouTube the 1984 "trial" of Richard III for the murder of the princes in the Tower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-kQoKt2Kf4

[BrianPK]

On the advice of MLE I just ordered a copy of this novel from Amazon. This will be my first Sharon Penman novel and I'm looking forward to it.Judging from posts and reports from various sources this seems to be a mighty read on a period which has always interested me. I was aware of R.L.Stevenson's "Black arrow" novel as a child and of course Shakespeare's play later on, but the novel which convinced me to devote my available reading time to historical fiction was Patrick Carleton's 1938 novel "Under the Hog" which portrayed Richard III as being innocent of the child murders. I first read this over 20 years ago and was glued to it as I thought it one of the best reads I ever had.

The catte,the ratte and Lovell our dogge
Rulyth all Englande under a hog.

I bet poor old Collingborne was sorry he composed that little rhyme; too clever by half:D

Looking forward to The Sunne in Splendour.

[Misfit]

On the advice of MLE I just ordered a copy of this novel from Amazon. This will be my first Sharon Penman novel and I'm looking forward to it.Judging from posts and reports from various sources this seems to be a mighty read on a period which has always interested me. I was aware of R.L.Stevenson's "Black arrow" novel as a child and of course Shakespeare's play later on, but the novel which convinced me to devote my available reading time to historical fiction was Patrick Carleton's 1938 novel "Under the Hog" which portrayed Richard III as being innocent of the child murders. I first read this over 20 years ago and was glued to it as I thought it one of the best reads I ever had.

The catte,the ratte and Lovell our dogge
Rulyth all Englande under a hog.

I bet poor old Collingborne was sorry he composed that little rhyme:D

Looking forward to The Sunne in Splendour.

I absolutely love this book. I did get a hold of Under the Hog via interlibrary loan, but it just didn't work for me. Could have been my mood, but I didn't get far. Last I looked this book was very very highly priced on the used market, but it can be had via ILL. Mine came from a university library in New Mexico.

[BrianPK]

I've just finished this novel and thoroughly enjoyed it,even if I found it a depressing read.Why wouldn't it be when the pages drip with blood and reek of treachery and ultimate doom.Sharon Penman tells a gripping story but one which never allows you to relax or feel comfortable with the characters as you are always on edge waiting for something awful to happen and, in a way, I'm relieved I'm finished with it and can now devote myself to a more relaxing read. Don't think I'll forget this novel in a hurry. Highly recommended.

[SCW]

I remember being very anti-social at a 21st birthday that I attended in 1995 because I kept sneaking off to one of the bedrooms so I could read The Sunne in Splendour. It would have to be my favourite of her novels

[BrianPK]

I remember being very anti-social at a 21st birthday that I attended in 1995 because I kept sneaking off to one of the bedrooms so I could read The Sunne in Splendour. It would have to be my favourite of her novels

I reacted similarly when I read Under the Hog many years ago.I thought it an incredible read especially as the unexpected treachery from family and close friends was an absolute revelation to me.Like most people I was aware of the princes in the tower etc. but that was about all.I found it mind boggling and would have accused the author of an inflamed imagination if I hadn't immediately researched Encyclopaedia Britannica( there was no internet to check in those days). and discovered that it was all factual.I don't think there was ever a period in English history quite as violent and blood-thirsty. I reread Under the Hog about 16 months ago and I suppose that lessened for me (as I knew what was coming),to some extent,the impact that most people have felt on reading The Sunne in Splendour which is, more than likely, their first detailed journey into that unbelievable period.
I'm curious though, how soon you would reread The Sunne in Splendour? It's definitely not your average run of the mill enjoyable light read before a restful night's sleep,is it?:D

[SCW]

I do remember sobbing at the last two pages of The Sunne In Splendour. The down-side is that I've never been able to read any other novel about Richard the Third since then