Reviews

I would not have chosen to read this book (assigned for book club) and ended up really liking it. The intricacies of Henry VIII's court are on full display, and you read through wondering how Thomas Cromwell can preserve himself through it!

shermanberry's review against another edition

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2.0

I picked up this book at a book sale years ago thinking it would be good to break out of my literary comfort zone. I should’ve left it on the table.

I was encouraged to read it by two people at work who had tried to get into it without success. I can totally understand why now.

Admittedly historical fiction isn’t usually my go to genre although Pillars of the Earth is amazing as is the Cicero trilogy by Robert Harris.

I feel like I am the only one in the room that thinks the Emperor’s outfit is somewhat scanty. I just didn’t enjoy this book.

I get that it’s won a heap of awards and English teachers the world over probably get overly excited about the prose but I couldn’t wait to finish it to read something else.

The tale of Thomas Cromwell and his rise to prominence from his start as a low born commoner to becaming one of Henry VIII’s most trusted advisors is an interesting one but for me it didn’t need 650 pages. Sometimes I went pages and pages just willing something to happen and I’m no stranger to massive books IF they are engaging.

My two stars is awarded as there are some really excellent put downs and comic turns of phrase in this book and at times, Cromwell is bitingly sarcastic which I always appreciate.

Overall though I had to plough through so many pages of tedious dross to uncover those little pearls.

Cromwell is off to Wolf Hall at the very end of the book. If this was a ploy to suck me in to the second novel in this series it was an epic fail. I’d rather read the phone book.

Apologies to all those people who clearly adore this book and see something that I am blind to. I didn’t like it at all.

heather_boo's review against another edition

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3.0

I love historical fiction, but this was dense in a way that gave me difficulty. There were often many people in a scene, and conversations are constructed such that the reader cannot tell who is speaking. The only reason I stuck with it is because I enjoy the time period so much, but I can certainly see how many people did not finish it

notter's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

copusb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

shimmery's review against another edition

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4.0

Whilst I didn't quite agree with the testimony on the cover that said this book would be the most gripping I'd read this year, it was enjoyable and beautifully written. Mantel gives humanity to history, telling the story of Thomas Cromwell working under Henry the 8th as he battles to wed Anne Boleyn. Though at times a little overwhelmed with the sheer amount of characters and conversations about laws and technicalities, this is a really good story and brings out modern themes in a 16th century setting. I was really impressed by little details that Mantel has imagined for these historic figures; her characterisation is superb. Well worth a read.

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