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libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
Well, Hilary Mantel's epic Cromwell trilogy is finished and I have mixed feelings. Frankly, I've had mixed feelings since the beginning but I kept hoping that Mantel would pull off an impressive finale. This didn't live up to my expectations. Part of it was interesting, but a lot of it was overly rambling without the sharpness I'd hoped for.
I kept wondering, do we have to have so many flashbacks? So many moments of Cromwell dwelling on the past? Does he absolutely have to have a weirdly charged relationship with every single female character?
The portrayal of Tudor society was incredibly interesting. Some scenes hit hard. I liked the deep look into Henry and Cromwell's dynamic. But I feel like it could have been more efficient, more biting, more... effective.
I kept wondering, do we have to have so many flashbacks? So many moments of Cromwell dwelling on the past? Does he absolutely have to have a weirdly charged relationship with every single female character?
The portrayal of Tudor society was incredibly interesting. Some scenes hit hard. I liked the deep look into Henry and Cromwell's dynamic. But I feel like it could have been more efficient, more biting, more... effective.
laura_corsi's review against another edition
Found out this is the finale in a huge series about Thomas Cromwell. Maybe someday I will want to read that but--doubt it.
umm_igor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
3.0
Wow this as a hefty book. I can't believe ho much happened even though it is such a huge book. It was actually a bit overwhelming at some points and I almost feel like it could have been 2 books. But I really enjoyed it. This is not the book you go to for typical Tudor drama and court scandals. This is a look into the mind and workings of a spy master. Cromwell is always thinking 15 steps ahead while juggling so many things and so many people. All while trying to keep a hugely temperamental King happy and of course keeping himself in favor and his head on his shoulders. This is a book about closed door scheming, politics, and living on the swords edge. Cromwell is not only brilliant and hardworking, conniving and a flatterer, he is SARCASTIC and sassy and I love it so much. Even in the most dire situations he has sass and come backs and it was fantastic to read about it. This book throws you right in where the last book left off, but it is easy to slip back into the story and the characters. The characters are so vibrant and dynamic that they get easy to keep track of, sometimes even by their speech and mannerisms. There are less descriptions and petty gossip than typical tudor novels, which I loved how unique it is.
judyboom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
catabasis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
I won’t lie, I’m somewhat bemused by this book.
In this book, we see what happens to Thomas Cromwell in Henry VIII’s England, after he managed the death of Anne Boleyn. It’s a depressing read.
In the first 2 books in the series, Cromwell felt… sure footed? You might not have liked his vision, but Cromwell had a vIsion, and knew how to guide/coax/cajole/bully/tempt/berate and harm people, to get where he felt Henry, and England needed to go. You might not like it, but he didn’t really put a foot wrong.
In this book, I’m reminded of Churchill’s quote that Success is process of moving from failure to failure, without loss of enthusiasm. I number of times I thought “Oh for God’s sake, the Cromwell of the previous books, wouldn’t do that.” This may be because the research Mantel did told her that it broadly happened as described, but it felt… incongruous, when I think about what went before.
So overall, I found the book a little disappointing.
In this book, we see what happens to Thomas Cromwell in Henry VIII’s England, after he managed the death of Anne Boleyn. It’s a depressing read.
In the first 2 books in the series, Cromwell felt… sure footed? You might not have liked his vision, but Cromwell had a vIsion, and knew how to guide/coax/cajole/bully/tempt/berate and harm people, to get where he felt Henry, and England needed to go. You might not like it, but he didn’t really put a foot wrong.
In this book, I’m reminded of Churchill’s quote that Success is process of moving from failure to failure, without loss of enthusiasm. I number of times I thought “Oh for God’s sake, the Cromwell of the previous books, wouldn’t do that.” This may be because the research Mantel did told her that it broadly happened as described, but it felt… incongruous, when I think about what went before.
So overall, I found the book a little disappointing.
ketzirah's review against another edition
Honestly --- too much too long.
I loved the first two books in the series, but with this one I found myself saying "800 pages" over and over and finally skipped to the last chapter.
I loved the first two books in the series, but with this one I found myself saying "800 pages" over and over and finally skipped to the last chapter.