Reviews

The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher: Stories by Hilary Mantel

hollydunndesign's review against another edition

4.0

All but the title short story have been published previously, so Mantel’s collection does not have the same continuity of theme that Atwood’s does. However, this is still a great read. Some of the stories are very subtle, and require some reading between the lines, slowly revealing a larger and often more sinister picture. The promise of the book is all in that title, and we have to wait until the end to read Mantel’s heart-stopping imagining of Thatcher’s assassination. In the meantime there is a writer living in a Muslim country who accidentally makes a new friend, a crushing tale of childhood friendship that is destroyed by poverty and prejudice, and an unsympathetic examination of anorexia which is utterly heartbreaking.

blakeisgreene's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.75

alisarae's review against another edition

The stories and language are beautifully crafted. Now I am sure I need to read Hilary Mantel’s other books. But the endings of all these stories are a bit weird, abrupt, and sometimes out of nowhere.

neil_denham's review against another edition

2.0

Disappointing, I find short stories difficult to love anyway, and these did not hold my attention. I did enjoy the story that this collection is named after though, although had heard it before on the radio.

mary412's review

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13772425
I have yet to find a Hilary Mantel book that is as good as Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, but I did enjoy these stories.

schnauzermum's review against another edition

5.0

A splendid collection of dark stories. Mantel’s writing is a joy.

lindseygl's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

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

3.5

vls847's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

kirbykonz's review against another edition

3.0

Skillfully written collection of somewhat dark short stories that make you think.

countingstarsbycandlelight's review against another edition

I loved Wolf Hall and its ilk, so desperately wanted to love this series of short stories. But, alas, contemporary literary fiction is just not my bailiwick. Honestly? I thought it was dull.