![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The only complaint was that the era in which Penman sets the action ( 12th century England) "lacks epic qualities." The novel had a first printing of 75,000 copies with a major ad and promotion campaign and author tour. Although based on real life historical characters-Queen Maude and King Stephen are the main protagonists-it was thought that, in the fictional character Ranulf, Penman added a "successful addition". ![]() The book was described as a "magnificent combination of history and humanity" in which Penman presents "complicated politics" in a persuasive manner with well-presented characters. Publishers Weekly gave a positive review of When Christ and His Saints Slept. Penman chronicles the story of cousins Maude and Stephen as they fight for England's throne. In the book Penman introduces the genesis of the Plantagenet dynasty as Empress Maude battles to secure her claim to the English throne, ultimately more for her young son Henry Plantagenet, than for herself. It is the first of Penman's Plantagenet trilogy, (ultimately five books) followed by Time and Chance, Devil's Brood, Lionheart and A King's Ransom. 'Penman's characters are so shrewdly imagined, so full of resonant human feeling that they seem to breathe on the page.' San Francisco Chronicle'Never forget, Llewelyn, that the world's greatest fool is a Welshman who trusts an English king.'His father's words haunt Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, who has been ruling uneasily over his fractious countrymen. When Christ and His Saints Slept is a historical novel written by Sharon Kay Penman, published in 1994. ![]()
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