Devil’s Brood castles

Penman

     I am delighted to announce that Danielle Campisi, my brilliant webmaster (webmistress?) has put up a slide-show of the castles featured in Devil’s Brood, complete with haunting background music.  Much of the credit for this new feature must go to Susan Flantzer, who first posted the photos on one of my favorite websites, the Historical Fiction On-line forum.  As soon as I saw the photos, I knew readers of Devil’s Brood had to see them, too.  Be warned, though—they will make you want to head for the airport and catch the next plane for France!  I am now going to add castles for my other books, too.  It will be easy to find castles for my Welsh trilogy; the magnificent Castles of Wales website makes for one-stop shopping.  If any of you have requests for castle photos relating to Sunne or Saints or Time and Chance, do feel free to pass them on, and we’ll do our best.

     We have also added new links to Sharon’s Favorites.  And for those readers who’ve asked me when Devil’s Brood will be available in the Kindle format, just cruise on over to the Amazon mother ship.  You can also get Sunne and Prince of Darkness in Kindle, and we hope that St Martin’s new editions of Here Be Dragons and Falls the Shadow will soon join the list.  I confess that I am not a Kindle fan myself.  I need the tangible feel of the book, need to be able to hold it and read it in bed or even the bath.  But then I’ve been called a Luddite by some of my Kindle-loving friends, so I defer to their judgment.

     Thank you all for continuing to share your author recommendations with us.  I am looking forward to adding these new writers to my To Read List.   I thought I’d return the favor by recommending several books sure to interest my readers, especially those of you who chose Saints as your favorite of my novels.  Elizabeth Chadwick has written a fascinating novel about William Marshal’s controversial father, John Marshal, titled A Place Beyond Courage.  You will find it to be a visit to a familiar neighborhood, with people you already know from Saints:  Stephen, Maude, Robert of Gloucester, Brien Fitz Count, the young Henry.  It is like my favorite line from Casablanca, “Round up the usual subjects.”

     Elizabeth has also written two novels about everyone’s favorite knight, William Marshal, The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion, which I haven’t read as yet, not wanting to be influenced, even subconsciously, by her portrayal of Will until I’d finished Devil’s Brood and now Lionheart.  But I can recommend them without hesitation, based upon the pleasure I am having as I read A Place Beyond Courage.   Her William Marshal novels have been published in both the US and the UK, and while A Place Beyond Courage won’t be published in the States until next year, the English edition can still be purchased on Amazon.  

      When it came to the depiction of the major characters who appear in both Saints and Courage, Elizabeth and I were on the same page, which is not surprising; these were well known historical figures, so we were drawing upon the same sources.  We both feel that we owe it to our readers to adhere to the established historical facts, and if we detour from the beaten path, we believe writers should explain these detours in their Author’s Notes—as when I did a revisionist history of a certain Yorkist king not kindly treated by Shakespeare!

     I’ve always gotten very positive feedback about my Author’s Notes, but I’d still like to throw this open to general discussion.  How do you feel about them?  Do you feel cheated if a historical novel doesn’t include one?  Or do you consider them to be icing on the cake, nice but not essential?    And do you think I should keep fighting my natural instinct to write ANs almost as long as my books themselves or should I just go with the flow?   Of course then I’d need advice on how to get my editor on-board with an AN that might fairly be called a novella!

      I have posted a new interview in my Press Room, one I did with Susanne Saville about my dogs: Cody, the Johnny Depp of Dogdom, and Chelsea, his neurotic little sidekick.  I’d intended initially to devote this blog to a discussion of pets and the vast differences between the medieval attitude toward animals and ours.  But I’ve already spent so much time talking about books that it would probably be best to save the Pet Blog for the next one.   If, in the meantime, you’d like to brag about your own remarkable pets or books you’ve enjoyed about pets (I assume everyone has read Marley and Me!) I’d love to hear from you. 

PS  I’d hoped to add my first photos to this blog, but naturally I ran into a snag.  I will sort it out and add them to the next one.

 

November 11, 2008

0 thoughts on “Devil’s Brood castles”

  2. OK, the spam blocker indeed didn’t like my first post. Let’s see if it will accept a version with fewer links.
    Hi Sharon,
    I’ve been in Wales in spring and took tons of photos of the castles of Chepstow, Caerphilly, Pembroke, Manorbier, Aberystwyth, Caernarfon, Conwy, Dolwyddelan, Criccieth and Beaumaris, plus Roman remains, landscape and the towns of Cardiff and Chester(and York, from another tour).
    Here are some teaser links from my blog. In case you want higher resolution pics for your blog, and other photos from said castles, just tell me, I’ll be glad to oblige:
    http://lostfort.blogspot.com/2008/05/im-back.html
    I have another goodie for you, photos and some historical backgrond of the Cathedral in Speyer, a building Richard Lionheart will surely have seen.
    http://lostfort.blogspot.com/2008/02/two-heinrichs-cathedral-and-richard.html
    If you need more German photos, feel free to ask, I may have some in my archives, esp. of places connected with Henry the Lion. 🙂

  3. I love the pics. I have been to Chinon and Fontrevault. And found them amazing. So beautifull. And in 2001 I took 3 friends to Wales on a Here be dragons tour. We visited all the castles of the priinces of Wales and the english castles and Wales. And Evesham. I told them to read the books first and got them hooked as well. Three years ago I was finally able to see Middleham and again it was an awesome experience. These are places to come back to if you are able. Lving in the Netherlands it is a little easier for me.

  4. I love Author’s Notes! Honestly, it’s great when the author clearly outlines what’s fictional and what’s not and gives a basis for further reading. I do feel a bit cheated when one isn’t included in a historical novel. I also think it’s really cool when they explain how they decided to write about a particular period or person.
    The slideshow was lovely, thanks for posting it.

  5. I love it when an author includes notes, telling us about the things that they changed to fit the story, or what inspired them to write about this particular point in time! Add in a family tree and maybe a map, and I am one happy camper!
    The photos posted at HFO definitely made me want to jump on a plane to Europe, and seeing them again here hasn’t changed that!

  6. I will be amazed if you get anyone who says author’s notes are not important. The people who read your blog (and your books) are *serious* historical fiction readers and soak up all information & knowledge like greedy sponges.
    For me, they are far more important than just “nice to have.” The first thing I do when I pick up a new book is see what bonus material is available. I love it when there are maps, family trees (when appropriate), casts of characters, epilogues &/or author’s notes. And I am disappointed if I do not have any bonus material at all – particularly author’s notes.
    Something I would “really” like to see more of are pronunciation guides. Being one from across the pond, I’m always at a loss – but ever so curious – about how to pronounce some of the proper names I come across in historical fiction … Fontevrault as just one example!
    Keep on keepin’ on w/ the ANs, Sharon – and more is always better.
    As a P.S. – thanks for the endorsement of animal shelters (ref: your interview w/ Susanne Saville). There are too, too many animals looking for another opportunity for a “forever” home.

  7. Author’s Notes are far more than icing on the cake for me! I treasure the sources cited for further reading, and marvel at how ideas and characterization grew up from these bare bones of chronicles etc. that we all can access.
    Echoing Kelly’s comment – I would love for more pronunciation guides to be worked into the novels – either at the beginning or end of the book. For example; I live in Cardiff, so I’m pretty bombarded (and rightly so) with the Welsh language, but I do have to call upon my wonderfully forbearing fiance for help with some words as I am a bit of an invader, being from Kent!
    Keep up the brilliant work with the novels, author’s notes, and the general crusade to bring characters from the past alive again in wonderfully written, historically accurate novels. I am in awe.
    P.S – I have been absorbed in a seemingly futile search to find Falls the Shadow in a bookshop for some time now! We have big named outlets in Cardiff city centre, and however frequently I check or ask for it to be ordered in I cannot seem to lay my hands on it at all! A conspiracy or just coincidentally unlucky series of events?!

  8. First thing I read: Author’s Notes. Then I re-read it when I’m done the book. I can’t imagine not having them!

  9. I always feel cheated if there isn’t an Author’s Note. I’ve liked books that didn’t have them, but it always leaves something wanting. It makes me not trust the author to have done their homework! I think that is one of the reasons that I enjoy your books as much as I do- it’s obvious that you are trying your hardest to be true to history!
    I’ll also second the person who said that they love maps and geneaologies- I find myself referencing them again and again. They make it so much more realistic and I find myself much more connected to the characters and places.
    Here’s the support of a dedicated reader of yours for longer and longer Author’s Notes! Would you like me to write a note to your editor? I’ll be happy to do it! 🙂
    I thought of a question that I’d like to ask you (and it would make a great post!): How do you choose the stories that you want to tell? I’m especially interested in how you stumbled upon Joanna, and truly obscure figure in history, for certes, but how very interesting she is…And nice of her to spur sequels! What made you want to tell her story?

  10. Sharon,
    I also love the author’s notes. Always read them before starting the book and then again afterward. Please never leave them out. I would feel cheated.
    I am one of those readers who have been requesting Kindle format for your books and would like to give a quick note as to why.
    In the past I was always devoted to the feel of books, the bigger the better (one reason I was always so happy to get a new Sharon Kay Penman volume) and was unsure how I would adapt to having an ereader. Having had my Kindle for almost a year now, these are some of the things that I love about the experience. First and foremost, with the Kindle I can carry around a small library of books in less than a pound. I’m a moody reader and am usually reading 3 books at the same time. This way they are all always at my fingertips where ever I am. The Kindle has a built in dictionary so if I’m unsure of a word I can surf over to the dictionary with just one click, and then back to the same place in the book. If I want to go further I can access Wikipedia with a few clicks (I’ve looked up all of the ‘Here Be Dragons’ characters to see what history says about them. I can also browse the Amazon bookstore through my Kindle and download free samples and any book I want instantly. Can you tell I’, a convert? I did still buy Devil’s Brood in paper because it wasn’t immediately available in Kindle format, although I’ll probably buy the Kindle version too.
    Well, thank you for listening to my ‘two cents’. I can’t wait until your next book.

  11. PLEASE! Write as long an author note as your publisher will let you! They’re the first thing I read when I pick up your books – and I read them again when I’m through. As far as I’m concerned, they’re absolutely essential part of the total experience of reading your books. None of us have the time to do the thorough research you have done to know what parts of the story are historical fact – and I agree with Kelly: your readers are as likely to be serious students of history as they are people in search of great novels.
    Thank you for all of your hard work, and I hope you are continuing to regain your health and strength!

  12. The Authors Notes are wonderful! I don’t really care how long they are – they are as much a part of the story as the story itself. I save them until after I have read the last page – because I get so caught up. I look forward to them as a way to ease the “let-down” that occurs when I’ve finished.

  13. Gabrielle,
    It does look as if your earlier post was swallowed up in a black hole of cyberspace. You want to try again?
    Sharon

  14. Kelly and Beth,
    I know what you mean about puzzling over the pronunciation of foreign names. I was able to work pronunciation hints into Here Be Dragons since Joanna was a stranger in an alien land and it made sense that she’d be asking about Welsh pronunciation. Unfortunately, this ideal situation never presented itself again in my other books and I couldn’t figure out a way to help the reader out. I did think about adding a pronunciation guide in the front of these books, but publishers are not keen about additions like that, not for fictional works. When I eventually get to write about Owain Glyndwr, though, maybe I can raise the issue again. If any of you have questions about any foreign names, be they Welsh or French or Breton, feel free to e-mail me about them.
    I am glad you agree with me about animal shelters and adoption. I had to buy my current poodle, Chelsea, because I needed a puppy and there is no way a rescue group is going to have a puppy available, especially a small breed for they are not difficult to place. But Randy, my elderly mixed-breed dog that I’d adopted unofficially for 12 1/2 years, would never have accepted another adult female. As it was, she was not happy about Cody joining the family, but he could deal with her temper tantrums and a poodle would have been at a dangerous disadvantage. So I am not always against buying from a breeder; it depends on the circumstances. I would hope, though, that people stay away from pet shops since buying from them only encourages the puppy mills to stay in business. As I explained in my on-line interview, I got my first two poodles from pet shops, but in those days no one had even heard of puppy mills. They turned out to be wonderful dogs, highly intelligent and loving and delightful companions, but so often that is not the case.

  15. Hi Sharon,
    It is really interesting that you mentioned Elizabeth Chadwick. She is the only author I have found that has come anywhere near filling the void I feel between the releases of your books. (After all, I have already read Sunne in Splendour three times in attempt at void-filling!) And while Elizabeth’s books are more formulaic and detailed than yours, they are still very entertaining, and her 2 books about William Marshall are great.
    As for the Author’s Notes. I love love love them. But maybe that’s because I’m a medieval history lover and student, so it’s great for me to separate fact from fiction. Although I often embark on independent research after reading your novels anyway. But make them as long as you like. I’m still reading!
    Perhaps I should maybe just be upfront and say thank you to you too. I first read Sunne when I was 16 (I’m now 29), and it can be seen as a direct influence on my love and later study of the medieval period. A few years later I also found myself on a solo “castles” tour of the UK, even making it as far as North Wales in my pilgrimage to locations from your books! So thanks!
    Oh, and one more thing. What is happening with the film company who optioned your book? I work in film & TV now and was discussing with an agent friend of mine how much a film about the War of the Roses (and the Angevins for that matter!) should be made. I’d love to get in touch with them.

  17. Sharon,
    it seems to have gotten through now after it had been held for moderation. At least I can see it – second post in these comments.

  18. Sharon,
    Please keep writing your Author’s Notes. Like many, I read them first then again when I finish a novel. Like most of your readers, I’m a history-fanatic and the more factual information I have at my fingertips the better.
    I did want to relate a little conversational exchange I heard yesterday while I was on my way to work on the bus. There were two women sitting in front of me discussing books. One looked at the other and said, “I don’t bother with fiction – it’s a waste of time. Who wants to read something from someone else’s imagination?” The other woman heartily agreed. I really felt sorry for them, they have no idea what kind of worlds they are missing. Especially with “responsible” writers, such as yourself, who do not “play” with the established facts and still manage to make the history come alive and jump off the page. I think that your Saints Trilogy is definately the best work you’ve done (and I soak up your books like a
    sponge!!), but I have to say, the best part of “Devils Brood” is watching the disintegration of a family and being able to get into the character’s heads and know what they are thinking and feeling. Bravo!!
    Thank you!
    Kelly
    No. Olmsted, OH
    PS – any possibility of doing a “Devils Brood” tour once you are feeling better? That’s the only first edition of your Saints Trilogy that I haven’t gotten signed.

  19. Hi all,
    I agree with all my fellow posters that Author’s Notes are essential for good historical fiction. Sharon, your notes are always well-written and informative, and I find myself reading them over and over again.
    One of the most disappointing notes I’ve ever read was from “The Mistress of the Art of Death,” especially since the author never truly addressed why she includes a cholera outbreak in a book set in 12th century England or why Henry II uses the phrase “it ain’t a game of billiards.” Other aspects of her book are well researched, so it left me at a loss. Was she trying to appeal to modern readers? Was it new research she uncovered? Or was it just sloppy research? It still irks me to this day!
    I really enjoyed the pictures. I need to go to France one of these days. I do have some of the remains of Winchester Castle and the medieval garden from 2005.
    Also, I stumbled upon a really interesting article and book from 2004 about Owain Glyndwr’s possible burial place:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/3982755.stm
    I would also be very interested in a pet blog as well!

  21. I love the author’s notes! I think that the longer the better. They are very interesting.
    Have you ever read The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper? They are fantasy and take place in modern times, but the later ones are set in Wales; as you might expect, they are a take on the King Arthur legend. They are fabulous. But there is a line in Here Be Dragons, when Ednyvyd is talking about Cader Idris, that reminds me of them, and I was just curious as to whether or not you had read them.

  22. Count me in with those who think the author’s notes are essential, and the longer the better. It’s so important to me when I read historical fiction to know that I can trust the history, and the author’s notes are essential in facilitating that trust. In fact, your books have inspired me to go and search out the actual history behind a number of your characters (and if I had more time, I’d be reading about more of them), so longer author’s notes w/ more historical detail would just be saving me some effort (except that of course they wouldn’t because they would just pique my interest even more!).

  23. On the subject of Author’s notes: I love them! I have almost as much fun reading author’s notes and appendices as I do the novel proper. I really appreciate when an author takes the time to explain things that for one reason or another aren’t included in the story, it helps me flesh out the world and characters of the book more thoroughly. Also, particularly when dealing with real people and events, I like that you take the time to tell us what you tinkered with so that we aren’t getting the wrong information. I say keep ’em up and make them as long as you want, I will read with joy 🙂

  24. With all the votes in favor not only of Author’s Notes, but of expanded AN, one more vote may be unnecessary; but count me in. So far as I am concerned they are as desirable as the footnotes or endnotes in a volume of history.
    I would also like to vote for more detailed maps and character lists, even if modern publishers are not happy about adding the pages. In Brood, the map was helpful, but omitted many key locations. Of course, it would have been very busy to have every location, but the more detail, the better. The character list had all of the major characters, but could have been more complete. While Dorothy Dunnett peopled her novels with huge numbers of characters, I have always appreciated the detailed character lists she provided to make it easier for readers to keep track.
    Keep pushing the publishers to provide adequate pages for the tools for the enhancement of the readers’ experience. Hopefully, they read your blog as well and may come to understand that many of your readers are not simply readers of fiction, but are historians at heart if not by vocation.

  25. Sharon,
    I love the author’s note. I love to see who was fictional and was real. To me, the real and fictional weave so well together in your books. That to me would seem so hard to do and remain true to history. However, you do it as if it was the only way.
    Thank you for your recommendations for castle lovers. You sent me some years ago and I go back to those sites today. You certainly inspired my love of castles.

  26. Sharon, I have read all of your historical fiction and LOVE your work. I look forward to the author’s notes very much. After being so immersed in the medieval world you’ve recreated, it’s fascinating to get a better idea of what really happened and what didn’t. Discovering the facts is what makes historical fiction so enlightening. I would be disappointed if the end notes weren’t there. I loved Devil’s Brood and can’t wait for your next book to come out.

  27. Sharon, I just sent an email to my cousin declaring that I finally finished, and loved The Devil’s Brood..as an afternote I included a line saying how much I LOVED the author’s note, and was wishing that you hadn’t fought with yourself and had written a 10 page one. As I wrote that to her, I realized that I always look forward to the author’s note. It adds something special to the book, don’t stop, and make them as long as you can 😀 Thank you for your wonderful work!

  28. I’m coming in late on this one, so I don’t know if you’ll see it, but I’m another who considers Author’s Note to be absolutely essential in historical fiction. I stopped reading one author’s historical books after the first book didn’t include one–why had she made the choices she made, especially regarding a few things generally considered to be untrue which she treated as true? Had she uncovered some research or did it simply make for a better, more dramatic story (I don’t mind liberties, but I do like them explained)? What was her opinion of the characters she’d just brought to life? It really took the fun out of it for me, and left me sort of floundering around, unsure what was “real” and what wasn’t.
    And yes, as long as you can make them! More more! 🙂 They add so much to the books. It’s almost like getting to have a little chat with you afterward; it “caps” the book perfectly.

  29. Sharon,
    when I get to the end of one of your books, the only thing that helps with the sadness (that it is over) is reading the notes. Please, include everything you are inclined to put in there!

  31. Sharon,
    Can you clear up something for me? I am reading the Devil’s Brood now and I am confused about Simon de Montfort being mentioned in the battle of Verneuil. Is this Simon de Montford, 6th the earl of Leicester (from Falls the Shadow)? I know it can’t be because he was born in 1208 and this battle happened in 1173. I don’t think it was his father either because he was born in 1160 and would make him only 13. The biggest item that make me think it was not THE Simon de Montfort is is actions that started this battle. What am I missing here?

  32. I agree with all the above: the author’s notes are essential. Ditto the family trees. I am an amateur genealogist, so I really appreciate them and refer to them constantly. I also appreciate when authors include a bibliography so that I can do further reading on the subject.

  33. I was looking forward to taking Devil’s Brood with me on my Kindle. Did you know it is the No. 9 highest price in the historical fiction category? I will wait and see.

  34. Oh, please, please, please, don’t ever stop writing Author’s Notes!! And make them as long as possible! They are my favorite part of the book…okay, well maybe that’s taking it a little too far, but it certainly is a great feeling to get to the end of one of your books, and take a while to just sit and let it sink in, but then to know that there’s more to read, when I turn to the Author’s notes. And yours are always wonderful.

  35. I love the author’s notes. Please continue to write them. Thanks for all the wonderful historical novels and mysteries!!!

  37. Hi Sharon,
    I’m not sure when you wrote the Sunne in the Splendour. I am about to read it and read the on-line caption about Richard III being misrepresented in history (unfortunately, very common, as victors dictate it). I remember a while back that the bones of Richard’s nefews were actually discovered (I don’t believe actual DNA testing was possible, but they were male children of the correct ages) burried under the tower. I assume the discovery was made after the release of your book, but perhaps not. I realize you are very busy, but it’s driving me nuts. I would really like to know your thoughts on that…or if anyone else reading this has anything to say about it….thanks

  38. OK, I just Wikied Richard III and the only story of bones being found was from the 1600s and was probably a hoax; however, the documentary I watched (which is where I first heard of it) presented it was a recent discovery. Were another set of bones found? Most likely not. Serves me right for watching TV (which I no longer have). I think I answered my own question, but if anyone would like to add to that….

  39. I personally love the Author’s Note. A full, comprehensive Author’s Note is not a problem. There was no need to refer readers to your website in “Devil’s Brood” – a 10 page Author’s Note is quite fine. Those that are not interested can simply put the book down when they are finished reading it. Those of us that are interested really want as much details as you have.

  42. Although this note is current and the above note is from 2008, I vote for author’s notes. Indeed, I rarely read an historical novel without them. Invention is always part of an historical novel but I need to know what is fiction and what is real.

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