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Time and Chance: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) | 
 enlarge | Author: Sharon Kay Penman
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 15832
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.3
ISBN: 0345396723
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345396723
ASIN: 0345396723
Publication Date: February 4, 2003
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Amazon.com Review
The Sunne in Splendour confirmed Sharon Kay Penman's place in the upper echelons of historical fiction, combining a breathtaking panoply of the past with an acute psychological observation of her characters. Time and Chance is the second part of her planned trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, beginning in the glory years of their reign. Penman conjures for us an astonishing era in which Henry battles with the Welsh and the French king, appoints Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, and, by taking a mistress, makes a bitter enemy of his wife. Readers know the scalpel-like precision of Penman's character building from her earlier work, and the emotional lives of Henry and the troubled Eleanor are powerfully realized. As in the first book of the sequence, When Christ and His Saints Slept, conflict is ever the driving force. Henry and Eleanor's remarkable partnership was proving highly fecund, both politically, and physically, as Eleanor gave birth to five sons and three daughters, laying to rest her reputation as a barren queen and founding a dynasty that was to last three centuries. But auguries of trouble ahead were apparent: war with the Welsh; acrimonious battles with Eleanor's first husband, King Louis VII of France. But the truly destabilizing factor was Henry's decision to appoint his friend and confidant Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry had assumed that the worldly, ambitious Becket would be the perfect ally, and was devastated when the new archbishop cast off his own worldly past as he embraced his role as Defender of the Faith, swapping dissolution for piety. As Penman vividly demonstrates, Henry saw Becket's action as a humiliating betrayal. One of the most famous murders in history followed, with further conflict in the kingdom caused by Henry's liaison with the daughter of a baron. In bedding Rosamund Clifford, Henry put his marriage and even his kingship at risk. As always, Penman handles her research lightly; the personal drama is the engine of her narrative, with each fresh scandal and intrigue delivered with a beguiling combination of relish and restraint. She is assured in her detailing of the political and ecclesiastical clashes of the court, but it is Henry II who strides her novel like a colossus--just as he did the kingdom he ruled. --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
Not up to her usual standard, but still a must-read! October 7, 2008
The second novel in Sharon Kay Penman's Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy was released in 2003 under the title Time and Chance. Picking up where When Christ and His Saints Slept left off, it continues to follow the fascinating story of the Plantagenet's quest to rule England, Normandy and ultimately far beyond.
In Time and Chance, it is Maude's eldest son, Henry, who picks up the fight for the crown and goes on to become King Henry II. But England and Normandy are just a small piece of the empire Henry would come to rule. Enter Eleanor of Aquitaine, the infamous beauty who would become the one woman in history to hold both the title of Queen of France and Queen of England in her lifetime.
Penman's characterization of Eleanor is riveting. Shrewdly intelligent and ambitious, it is Eleanor who orchestrates her divorce from the overly-pious King Louis VII and throws her lot in with Henry instead. As a result, Henry and Eleanor ruled an empire that stretched all the way to the Mediterranean -- not an easy piece of real estate to manage in the 12th century -- and much of Time and Chance is concerned with the various upheavals and rebellions Henry had to quell.
Despite their hectic schedule, Henry and Eleanor still find time to produce eight children (lovingly referred to by later chroniclers as "the Devil's brood") and Henry, like most other royal men, found himself a mistress by the name of Rosamund.
One of the more interesting aspects of Time and Chance is the exploration of Henry's complicated relationship with Thomas Becket, his friend, chancellor and later Archbishop of Canterbury. As the legend goes, Henry and Thomas had a falling out and Henry, out of frustration, asked the infamous question: "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?!" Or at least, words to this effect. (Penman wisely chooses a variation of this phrase in Time and Chance.) Regardless of the exact phraseology -- history is a bit fuzzy on this point -- the result was catastrophic. Thomas Becket was murdered in his own church, paving the way for his martyrdom and haunting Henry for the rest of his life.
If there are any problems, it is with the sheer volume of historic events Penmen packs into this novel. Events of such a grand scale led to a fracture in the flow of the narrative. After building tension with Henry and Beckett, the conflict then goes unmentioned for several chapters. Likewise with Henry's stormy relationship with Eleanor. The result is a somewhat disjointed feeling to the story, although Penman must be forgiven for this considering the large time frame she is covering.
Despite this small flaw, there is no reason not to pick up this second book of the trilogy. Time and Chance focuses on the political scene of the 12th century and provides the necessary broader picture that paves the way for the newly-released Devil's Brood, which explores, on a more personal level, the disintegration of Henry and Eleanor's marriage and the hornet's nest of children they produced.
 Henry and Eleanor Sizzle! A great second in the trilogy! August 26, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is the second book in Penman's trilogy on Henry fitz Empress and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It covers the early passion filled years of their marriage through the "cool off" period when Henry takes up with his long time mistress Rosamund Clifford. The whole Thomas Becket affair is also depicted here.
I loved the portrayal of Henry and Eleanor. I stayed up way to late for quite a few nights as I just couldn't pull my nose out of this book. The passion between them was palpable!! And the scene where they meet for the first time after Eleanor found out about Henry's adultery with Rosamun was just crackling with tension and the unspoken emotions between Henry and Eleanor. It was really brilliant!
The focus on the relationship between Henry and Thomas Becket was initially almost as interesting but quickly got boring and I found myself skipping a few pages to get to "the end" of that. Penman takes Henry's perspective in this novel and gives the reader and excellent glimpse into his mind and how he never fully understood the 180 Becket did after he became the Archbishop. His feelings of bewilderment, betrayal, and hurt were evident. However, because of the focus on Henry's perspective, this does leave Becket as somewhat of a mystery to the reader. While I didn't really mind it so much, I understand how it could be frustrating to some.
We are also given a glimpse into the early childhood of King John. I thought it was interesting how he was portrayed as a neglected child and Penman was layng the ground work and attempting to explain some of the reasons he turned into such a villain in history.
I would highly recommend this novel, even though it's not my favorite Penman, it is still a wonderful read.
4 1/2 stars
Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine July 2, 2008
This is the second book of a trilogy that details English history from 1100 or so to near the end of that century. It focuses mainly on the royals of that time, from William II to Richard Plantagenet. This second book concentrates mainly on the relationship between Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and also Henry's quarrels with his one-time friend Thomas Becket. The history moves swiftly through the years, and culminates with the murder of Thomas. Once again we have some insight into Welsh history, with the story of the fictional Ranulf and his wife. All of the characters are quite well drawn, and the action is almost relentless. Even though many readers (such as myself) are fairly conversant with this particular period of English history, to read a novel which gives these historical figures life with all of their good and bad sides, is exceptionally interesting. Thie author is adept at placing the reader into the center of the action, and even though it is known what is going to happen, there still is that anticipation about reading on and on. That is the mark of an exceptional writer. I understand that the third book in this trilogy is expected to be published this fall, and I for one can't wait to get my hands on it, and read until the end of the saga!
Another really really good Penman novel May 23, 2008
This is another great Penman novel -- historically accurate, well developed characters, and good job of making complicated politics come alive. I gave it a four rather than a five simply because I did think it was a bit harder to follow than some of her other works, but that is probably because the time was so complicated. And, the inclusion of so much of the Welsh events just seemed to "interfere"at time and not really fit.
It's been many years since I've seen Richard Burton as Becket, but this has inspired me to review what I do remember as a wonderful movie -- great companion piece to Time and chance
Book Review: Time and Chance November 4, 2007
One of the best known characters in the British medieval period was Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was married to King Henry II and she bore him eight children, two of whom went on to be kings of England. Theirs was a love match, and yet ultimately she conspired against Henry with two of her sons and spent many of her laters years in prison. The story of Henry II also includes the story of Thomas a Becket, a worldly man who was ultimately proclaimed a saint, but during his lifetime was both Henry's best friend and greatest challenge.
Sharon Kay Penman has a way of telling a story that captures the reader immediately and doesn't let go until the very last page. She is a historian and her novels are very well-researched. Even though you know the story and how it will end, you can't help identifying with the characters and hoping for a different outcome. If you never enjoyed history in high school, but want to learn more about the royalty of England, Penman is the author to read. This is book two of the Eleanor of Aquitane series. (Book 1 is When Christ and His Saints Slept.)
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