Penelope by Lena Kennedy is a book about a rebellious girl in 16th century Elizabethan England who liked to live life on her terms and deeply abhorred Royal customs and social rules. Lady Penelope Devereux realised quite early in life that love had no place when it came to marriage which was more of an economic choice and an arrangement of convenience.
For example, when she was married away to Lord Robert Rich despite her protestations, she despised her marriage and husband all her life liking him to an ugly toad.
While she was a rebel she was extremely loyal to those she loved and cared for. For example, she left no stone unturned to find about the fate of her maidservant Hawise after the latter disappeared in London carrying her Lady's message to her lover. It was quite unusual for a high ranking noblewoman to be so concerned about servants in those times and her behaviour was considered rather contemptuous when she chased a low born ragged girl on the streets of London in her noble regalia for the sake of finding the truth about her maidservant.
Love and happiness always eluded her and the solace she sought in her affairs were short lived. The pangs of guilt she felt for the losses of life which were caused as a result of her rebellious and impetuous nature stayed right till the end for she blamed herself for the untimely deaths of the little boy Patrick Russell, her brother The Earl of Essex and her maidservant Hawise.
Although she never found peace of mind for most part of her life, surprisingly, she spent her last days at Wanstead in contentment after she realised her days are numbered.
Lena Kennedy's prose writing is beautiful and provides the right amount of detail to keep the reader attentive. The sociopolitical and socioeconomic life in 16th century England is etched out in the background along with the treachery and intrigues of the Royal Court while she develops the story around Penelope. Her use of the short dialogue is extremely skillful and makes the reader want to turn the page over.
Lena Kennedy deserves much appreciation for having done a wonderful job with this historical novel.
Recommended for history lovers.
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