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dtodd's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m so glad I finally got round to reading this book, which had been recommended by so many friends! I found the writing to be beautifully crafted, and in terms of describing the world, it is probably the most immersive and in-depth historical fiction I have ever read (I read afterwards that Mantel had researched the material for five years before writing).
However, I often found the plot too slow and not engaging enough. This improved when I read it in longer sittings, though there was still too much description and the irregular chapter lengths didn’t help. The characters were engaging when I could keep track of who was who, and they did develop throughout. I think I will read the rest of the series, but not straight away.
However, I often found the plot too slow and not engaging enough. This improved when I read it in longer sittings, though there was still too much description and the irregular chapter lengths didn’t help. The characters were engaging when I could keep track of who was who, and they did develop throughout. I think I will read the rest of the series, but not straight away.
ellathelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A pretty superb volume, I listened to it as an audiobook from my library (24 hours!) and enjoyed it all. Again, join your local library!
wietse111's review against another edition
4.0
In de serie man booker winnaars, alweer een waar ik niet helemaal van weet wat ik er nou van vind. Hij is deels briljant en deels vreselijk, maar uiteindelijk kom ik denk ik toch uit op best wel heel goed. Je volgt Thomas Cromwell, die als nobody begint, assistent van de kardinaal en uiteindelijk zelfs belangrijkste adviseur van koning Hendrik 8 wordt. Gebaseerd op ware geschiedenis, maar vanuit een vrij uniek perspectief en uiteraard wel met creatieve interpretatie af en toe. Historisch heel interessant, en de wereld wordt echt heel tof neergezet. Was wel echt een pittig boek om te lezen. Veel pagina's, heel veel karakters met veel overlappende namen (waarom heette toen iedereen Thomas?). Het boek heeft ook niet een duidelijke plot met een kop en een staart, het is meer een serie fragmenten ofzo die geleidelijk door de tijd heen gaan maar zonder dat het echt duidelijk is wat of waarom het gebeurt. En dan is de schrijfstijl met de oneindige "hij" waar bijna altijd Cromwell wordt bedoelt ook gewoon verwarrend. Maar ondanks dat alles was ik wel eigenlijk de hele tijd geboeid, dus ergens deed het boek toch iets goed.
jaime_c's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
klaireparavel's review against another edition
5.0
Arrange your face. It was a tad confusing to keep track of all the Thomases and Henrys and Williams but otherwise I loved everything about this book, especially the narrator. I should like Simon Slater to read most everything to me. Hilary Mantel humanized Thomas Cromwell to the point of his being charming and charasmatic. Such witty and clever story-telling.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
Oh good grief, was this ever a depressing book?
It's set in the time when Henry VIII wants to get a divorce from his first wife (Catherine of Aragon), and sees Thomas Cromwell rise to become Henry's chief advisor during this time. All of this is set against what happens in the country, and to Cromwell.
As a Catholic, I found the book somewhat challenging. I was brought up to think "Protestant Reformation=Bad" and "Catholic Resistance=Good". this book challenges that view, because no one comes across as pleasant (though Cromwell will seem more rounded).
All in all it wasn't bad, just rather depressing. No one seems that likeable after reading it.
It's set in the time when Henry VIII wants to get a divorce from his first wife (Catherine of Aragon), and sees Thomas Cromwell rise to become Henry's chief advisor during this time. All of this is set against what happens in the country, and to Cromwell.
As a Catholic, I found the book somewhat challenging. I was brought up to think "Protestant Reformation=Bad" and "Catholic Resistance=Good". this book challenges that view, because no one comes across as pleasant (though Cromwell will seem more rounded).
All in all it wasn't bad, just rather depressing. No one seems that likeable after reading it.
lunese's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
skimsdmb's review against another edition
2.0
A thorough telling of Henry VIII's courtship of Anne Boleyn told through the perspective of Thomas Cromwell. Way too hard to understand without background knowledge of the Tudor Dynasty.
snowdodo's review against another edition
1.0
Life is too short to waste time on poorly written books. I could not get into this.
On to the next!
On to the next!