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heather667's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Classism, Death, Grief, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child death, Confinement, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: War, Pedophilia, Blood, Genocide, Slavery, and Violence
georgie_mb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I started off reading this as a buddy read with someone else, but unfortunately my friend didn’t make it past the 1/4 mark but I decided to persevere.
It had been truly fascinating to read about Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power, and there are some brilliant moments to humour and clever speech. However, the main problem I found with this is the flow of the writing. It took me at least 200 pages to get into this (normally I DNF but I kept going because of the buddy read) and then after that, it would be on and off. I would find myself sucked into the story, with pages flying by, only to be chucked out again and left feeling a little lost. She does mention in the notes at the end that it’s hard to please both historian and reader, but I think she could have made it a little easier for the reader to follow, especially as she uses pronouns so much that you never know who’s talking!
I am glad I read this, as it’s definitely not your everyday novel, but it will be a while before I decide whether to pick up the next book.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Blood, Pandemic/Epidemic, Torture, Child death, Classism, and Grief
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, War, Grief, Infertility, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Torture
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Told in the present tense, it feels as though you're right there with Cromwell as he tries to escape his father's next kick. The attention to detail - the knot in the twine of his father's boot ripping his forehead open - also brings every scene to life.
This obviously doesn't sound like the opening to a funny book, but the sardonic humor makes the corner of your mouth twitch in a smile, and it's so, so clever. There are secret nicknames that are both insulting and fitting - the Princess Mary is a shrimp. When Cromwell leaves home in the morning he pats his wife, kisses the dog. Cromwell's perspective is askew from everyone else's. and it's that difference that results in much of the humor.
I will gladly reread this again in a couple of years. It brings me so much joy.
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Vomit, War, Child abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Bullying, Death, Gore, Infertility, Blood, Torture, and Violence
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, and Miscarriage
Minor: Infidelity and Rape
mmic's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The prose is phenomenonal. The only qualm I have with the language is the excessive use of "he." It's sometimes difficult to understand which "he" is being referred to.
Unfortunately (for me), there isn't much plot to speak of. Mantel faithfully (I assume, I'm not a historian so I can't say for certain) follows the life path of Thomas Cromwell. That doesn't leave room for the usual beats we except from fiction story and as a result this book feels more like a biography than a novel.
The lack of a plot made the story drag in places, though the nature of the historical events was enough to keep me engaged to the end.
If you like historical novels, especially if they go hard on the history, this is a must read.
If you're not too keen on biographies or history, probably give it a pass.
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, and Physical abuse
ceallaighsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“If England lies under God’s curse, or some evil spell, it has seemed for a time that the spell has been broken, by the golden king and his golden cardinal. But those golden years are over, and this winter the sea will freeze; the people who see it will remember it all their lives.”
“Some of these things are true and some of them lies. But they are all good stories.”
“They could tell Boccaccio a tale, those sinners at Wolf Hall.”
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, and Torture
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Medical content, and Miscarriage