the reckoning is indeed simply written. however, the plot, which penman assures her readers is almost entirely based on true historical facts, is not so simple. i felt myself admiring her restraint as well as the depth of research which lends rich complexity to characters and events. perfectly paced, episodes of domestic peace and festivity are interspersed among periods of high intrigue and stress. with this in mind, i forgave her for punctuating the dialogue with phrases attempting to set the historical tone, which, during the first hundred pages, is intensely annoying. thankfully, by the middle of the book, characters drop atavistic phrases such as ‘for certes’ far less.

for a book based on 11th century turmoil between england and wales, little of the narrative is substantially focused on representing war itself. rather, penman suggests the effects of bloodshed and struggle upon the tangle of royal european families, and does it masterfully. both deed and word lend weight to characters such as llewellyn ap gruffydd, the prince of wales, and edward, the english king under delusion of his own righteousness. there are many characters on either side of the battle for whom the reader is able to feel sympathy, although a couple come dangerously close to ringing in medieval stereotypes. having said that, there are true horrors countenanced, by the welsh people particularly.

against my initial reaction to the subject matter and genre, i really liked this. it was great for train travel. short, diverse chapterettes enabled me to digest it in dramatic episodes, sneak a chunk in between class, and come back to it as if just departed.

oh! and, if anyone knows how to properly pronounce ‘llewellyn’, please let me know.