Lofts (The Concubine
) returns to characteristic concerns with this rich historical fiction, focusing on the lute player and companion to Richard the Lionhearted, Blondel. King Richard is loved desperately by his wife, Berengaria; she, in turn, is loved by Blondel; Blondel, meanwhile, has caught the eye of Berengaria's hunchbacked sister, Anna Apieta. Richard, however, neglects his wife in favor of his true love—his Crusade—as well as his lesser loves (other men). For Berengaria's sake, Blondel follows Richard on his failed attempt to capture Jerusalem, as well as his journey back to England, leaving only when Richard is captured. Through his eyes and three others'—Berengaria's, Eleanor of Aquitaine's and Anna's—the Crusades and Richard himself are addressed from a number of unfamiliar angles. Humanizing the legend of Richard without cheapening his legacy, Lofts also portrays the oppression inherent in the life of a privileged woman as easily as she dissects the horrors of war. Exquisite and triumphant, this deep look into Richard's world will dazzle those familiar with the period. (Dec.)
