Time and Chance

The Henry II Trilogy, Book 2

By: Sharon Kay Penman

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

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 recreate 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.

©2002 Sharon Kay Penman (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Best historical medieval fiction

Penman will be sorely missed. I look forward to reading the next in this gripping series. And narrator/reader Anne Flosnik is outstanding.

A spectacular 2nd book of an incredible series of novels. As before, the writing & the narration were perfect.

Following on the lives of Europe's most splendid historic couple, Henry II and Eleanor, was fascinating. The birth of their every child, especially Richard the Lionheart, then him and his older brothers growing into youths that gave their father pride, had been most entertaining. Aside from learning about Henry II's cherished mistress that broke Eleanor's heart, though certainly accurate, it also made me sympathizing with her greatly, while picturing it all in almost vivid clarity. Which speaks volumes of the remarkable writing, that can take any reader into those days of the past.

A good novel

Balanced telling of the Thomas Becket story…. The best covered medieval murder there ever was!

Fascinating Marriage!

4.5
I rounded my rating up to 5 stars because only round numbers are permitted. This is a very good historical novel. It is the second in a trilogy Sharon Kay Penman has written on the lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It covers the middle period of their celebrated English medieval marriage and includes the birth of their 8 children, Henry's romance with Rosamund Clifford, and his friendship and infamous fatal conflict with Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Penman portrays Beckett far differently than as the "saint" we meet in many other accounts of him. Here he is shown as a significantly flawed man, responsible for at least his share in fanning the flames of enmity between himself and Henry. His death is described in detail and matches several historical accounts I have read of the event.

As always, this author has done her research. Readers are invited into the culture and society of this period, contrasting its opulence and brutal hardships. While we cannot know the exact conversations these historical characters actually had with one another, the structure of their lives is as accurate as the documentation can make it after nearly 1000 years. I appreciate that the author provides Notes at the end of the book to explain minor changes she made for the sake of good narrative. She also describes a few characters she invented for her fictional account.

But this tale is basically true, consistent with nonfictional information from the period as well as what is known of the characters themselves. Henry and Eleanor have fascinated historians and romantics for a very long time. They were heroic, admirable, but also tragic and deplorable. They brought out the best and the worst in each other. Their story is endlessly intriguing, as partners and adversaries but also as unique independent individuals. Sharon Kay Penman writes excellent historical fiction; Time and Chance is one of her best.

Excellent

Actually that sums up my review. I have to admit that I’ve listened to it a few times and to many other authors of historical fiction that have so little truth to the actual history that it’s really just fiction. There should be a better distinction between historical fiction and fiction novel based on historical fiction? If that makes sense!

I read this book years ago.

Now that I am older and struggling with eye difficulties due to Diabetes, I find enjoyment in Audible books and this narrator has a soothing voice. Anne lends dialect and grace to Sharon's ability to breathe life into historic persons.

great book! But...

I really love the books , I just wish it had a different narrator. her words sound so wet. I'm sure everyone around her as she talks has to have a tissue to wipe their face. it really got my gag reflex going.

Enjoyed the series

Enjoyed the whole series.
Not a fan of the narrator's voice. It was like a fake husky sound.

Disappointing Book by a Great Writer

I was very disappointed in Time and Chance. I’m a huge fan of SKP, the Welsh Princes Trilogy being one of my favorite series, and have read most of her books. This one is my least favorite. While I absolutely love SKP’s extraordinary historical detail, in this particular book it was very overdone. It felt as if she was more concerned with sharing every minute detail of every fringe character of the time period as opposed to focusing on the stories and emotional inner lives of the main characters. Thus for the first time ever as I read SKP I found myself more than a few times bored and hoping the book would soon be over. The first 3/4 of the novel was much more interesting than the 1/4. Readers would’ve been served better if the book was edited down in my opinion. SKP is a phenomenal writer but do yourself a favor & read The Welsh Princes trilogy or The Sunne in Splendour.

Long and boring

I enjoyed some of it but there were just too many names and places to remember characters. it just went on and on. I did finish it but I don't think I'll listen to the next one.