The Land Beyond the Sea

January 1, 2020
This mammoth historical novel dives deep into the undersung saga of the leper king of Jerusalem and his archfoe, Saracen sultan Saladin. It's the 1170s, and a small enclave of Frankish colonists known as Poulains are trying to hold on to their feudal fiefdoms in and around the city of Jerusalem, footholds gained during the Crusades in the land they call Outremer--beyond the sea. The main focuses of this multivariegated work, encompassing enough material for a trilogy, are the ruling families of the European Christian interlopers and their Muslim Saracen counterparts. Most attention is paid to Baldwin IV, who becomes king at 13 when his father, Amalric, unexpectedly dies. From an early age, Baldwin exhibits attributes of greatness, including charisma, wit, courage, and excellent horsemanship. His imperviousness to pain is the first symptom of what will soon be diagnosed as leprosy. Baldwin's strong support system, including his ambitious, embittered mother, Agnes (whom Amalric divorced upon becoming king); his spiritual adviser, William, archdeacon of Tyre; and his staunchest friend, Balian of Iberlin, enables him to overcome or at least manage the depredations of the disease and spearhead the Franks' ongoing struggles--diplomatic and otherwise--with Saladin. Penman (A King's Ransom, 2014, etc.) 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--peopled by characters who are mostly related to each other by some degree of kinship--finding credible motives for everyone's grudges. Occasional cutaways to Saladin and his entourage are less detailed but also humanize him, his extended family, and allies. Dramatic set pieces--a wedding in a castle under attack, a future Knight Templar dragged out of a brothel--abound. The religious and tribal conflicts, among both the Christians and Muslims--Kurds, Shiites, and a murderous sect aptly dubbed the Assassins--certainly have echoes for today. 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.

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January 27, 2020
Penman follows up her Plantagenet series with an engrossing saga of King Baldwin IV and his threatened Crusader state in 12th-century Jerusalem. When Baldwin is 10 years old, his tutor, William of Tyre, discovers that the boy has no feeling in one of his arms. Fearing Baldwin might have leprosy, William consults a Syrian doctor, who confirms the diagnosis, drawing wrath from Baldwin’s father, King Amalri (“If I ever hear you say that my son could be a leper, I’ll cut your tongue out myself!”), who resolves that Baldwin will become a fierce warrior against the Saracens. As Baldwin comes of age and receives treatment, his resilience defies his court’s expectations. When Amalri dies while Baldwin is still too young to rule, a regent executing power on his behalf makes a compromising pact with the Arabians, which Baldwin reverses once he turns 15 and assumes the throne. He receives sound advice from William and warrior Lord Balain d’Ibelin, leading him to withdraw from the Arabian peace treaty. Baldwin’s success in keeping the would-be Mediterranean and Muslim invaders at bay makes the novel 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.

March 6, 2020

Penman (Lionheart) explores the events immediately preceding the Third Crusade in her new novel. When King Baldwin IV is crowned ruler of Jerusalem at only 13 years old, his subjects have good reason to be nervous. Not only is the Crusader State in grave danger of being retaken by Muslim forces led by Saladin I, tempestuous rivalries threaten the kingdom from within. Most devastatingly, those close to the vibrant young king know he has early signs of leprosy, a terrible disease that makes the search for Baldwin's heir unexpectedly urgent. This immersive, well-researched trip back in time to the 12th century is constantly shifting political alliances, with thrilling high-stakes battle scenes making the story consistently compelling. Penman develops several nuanced Muslim characters in addition to Saladin and presents both sides of the conflict with care, though her focus on political maneuvering means any religious motivations of her characters get somewhat short shrift. VERDICT Recommended for Penman's many fans, and readers seeking out fascinating lesser-known figures not often covered in historical fiction.--Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign P.L., IL

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
Penman is justifiably renowned for her medieval epics, including A King's Ransom (2014). Working on a large canvas, she illustrates the era's political movements and the personalities of its movers and shakers with equal dexterity. In this standalone work, she focuses on the twelfth-century Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem, ruled by relatives of England's Plantagenets (her previous subjects). Among many well-crafted characters, several quickly stand out, including Baldwin IV, the gifted boy monarch tragically stricken by leprosy; his stepmother, Maria Comnena, a courageous Greek princess scorned by her late husband's first, discarded wife, and honorable nobleman Balian d'Ibelin. As the Crusader states within Outremer ( the land beyond the sea ) defend their lands against Muslim military forces, which are led by the charismatic sultan Saladin, they struggle with internal strife. The royal succession is of pressing concern, since Baldwin can't marry and expects to die young. The Muslims' viewpoints are also relayed firsthand. 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.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Historical saga fans will pounce on best-selling and always thrilling Penman's latest, which offers a particularly alluring setting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)