The Land Beyond the Sea

By: Sharon Kay Penman

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

From the critically acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Sharon Kay Penman comes the story of the reign of King Baldwin IV and the Kingdom of Jerusalem's defense against Saladin's famous army.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem, also known as Outremer, is the land far beyond the sea. Baptized in blood when the men of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem from the Saracens in the early 12th century, the kingdom defined an utterly new world, a land of blazing heat and a medley of cultures, a place where enemies were neighbors and neighbors became enemies.

At the helm of this growing kingdom sits young Baldwin IV, an intelligent and courageous boy committed to the welfare and protection of his people. But despite Baldwin's dedication to his land, he is afflicted with leprosy at an early age and the threats against his power and his health nearly outweigh the risk of battle. As political deception scours the halls of the royal court, the Muslim army - led by the first sultan of Egypt and Syria, Saladin - is never far from the kingdom's doorstep, and there are only a handful Baldwin can trust, including the archbishop William of Tyre and Lord Balian d'Ibelin, a charismatic leader who has been one of the few able to maintain the peace.

Filled with drama and battle, tragedy and romance, Sharon Kay Penman's latest novel brings a definitive period of history vividly alive with a tale of power and glory that will resonate with listeners today.

©2020 Sharon Kay Penman (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[A] riveting page-turner, and Penman's well-honed skill for weaving deeply researched details into epic tales is on full display. Fans of medieval historical fiction won't want to miss this." (Publishers Weekly)

“Penman is justifiably renowned for her medieval epics….Working on a large canvas, she illustrates the era’s political movements and the personalities of its movers and shakers with equal dexterity….From fierce battle maneuvers to the emotional corridors of an unexpected love story, readers will feel intimately drawn into the characters’ dramatic lives in Penman’s splendid historical novel. Historical saga fans will pounce on best-selling and always thrilling Penman’s latest, which offers a particularly alluring setting.” (Booklist)

“Penman excels at depicting medieval warfare and the unintended, often disastrous consequences of the best-laid strategies. She is equally adept at depicting the rivalries and internecine strife that roil Baldwin’s court….This book amply illustrates the extent to which fortune and personality dictated victory, détente, and defeat on both sides. A teeming 12th-century tapestry which Penman renders coherent, even eloquent.” (Kirkus Reviews)

hard start but very good

a little difficult to Get into but once you push past the introduction and get started a very worthwhile read

Exceptional!

I enjoyed this book so much I never wanted it to end. Narration was wonderful. Truly mesmerizing.

Amazing

Well narrated and amazing story, definitely one of my favorite historical novels. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in the lives and stories of Baldwin IV, Balian De Ibelin, and the other men and women who called Outremer home.

Good listen, but too many characters

I always love Penman’s novels and I enjoyed this one very much. My only problem was keeping track of all the characters - there are so many Christians! I think it would have been a better listen for me if some of the less essential characters were omitted.

Stay with the story. It’s magnificent

So many real characters that it is sometimes confusing until you buy inane stay with it. Then it is so compelling that you can’t stop. And you know it comes from the best sourced truths. A look into an unknown world by an excellent and truthful historian.

I loved this story

An outstanding story. Filled with memorable characters and an exotic setting. Sharon developed her characters beautifully. I really felt I was there in Jeruselum with all of these marvelous people. I will probably read this at some point. The audio version was great. I enjoyed the reader after I got used to her. This story made me dream and escape to another world so long ago.

very interesting excellent book

It's very enjoyable, very intelligent, and so full of historic events, cultural. I am so impressed and respectful of this author's ability to understand different personalities, their perspectives and express the characters' feelings in writing. I read many negative reviews about that narrator, Anne Flosnik and imo
I do not think she deserves these criticisms. She has a different voice and her pronunciation is impeccable. . She has a different British accent. (I can't imagine anybody narrating this book with an American voice.) I think a key is to start listening at a slower speed. I started out at .8. I often do this. , I think it's easier to hear and understand the situation, different nationalities' names and accents. it is especially more interesting with this narrator. Give it time.
Her voice is appropriate for this book. The story is so fascinating. The author takes you to Outremer. you're living with the characters. it's quite an experience. such a detailed history!

SKP Crafts Amazing Last Novel

Characters gripped me from first page. Moving, satisfying work of historical fiction. I Recomend highly.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the leper king

This historical fiction is informative and interesting. I found the time period and story fascinating.

Really long and really good!

I chose it because of its length - I like to get a lot of value for my money - and also because of something I read in the New York times.
If's fictionalized history based on the author's research, and I learned a lot about the history in the Levant after the first Crusade. I mean to go through it again sometime this winter but want to move on to other books first.

(Edit to correct spelling.)