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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Soooooo slow
I enjoyed the second instalment of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy much more than Wolf Hall, perhaps because I had become used to the unusual writing style and large cast of characters, perhaps because the subject matter of the second book (Anne Boleyn’s downfall) is both more familiar and more dramatic. Once more I enjoyed spending time with Thomas Cromwell as a character and I am rather sad to have to read about his downfall next!
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wolf Hall introduces us to Thomas Cromwell as a teenager who is being abused by his father. More than 25 years later he is a respected lawyer and right-hand man to Cardinal Wolsey, instrumental in arranging the annulment of Henry VIII’s first marriage so that he might marry Anne Boleyn. In Bring Up the Bodies the King has tired of Anne and, still in need of a male heir, desires to marry Jane Seymour. Again Thomas Cromwell, now Master Secretary, is a instrumental, first trying to broker a divorce and when that fails turning up evidence of adultery, enough for Anne to be tried for treason.
These books are works of historical fiction at their finest. The time period is fascinating and Mantel vividly brought it all to life. Not only was her characterisation excellent and her storytelling superb, but her attention to detail was unsurpassed, doubtless a reflection of her copious research. As a reader you are totally transported to the sixteenth century and all the behind the scenes machinations at the court. I thought the portrayal of Cromwell was brilliant. Without necessarily agreeing with Cromwell’s actions I absolutely understood his reasons for making them. He was complex, a pragmatist, flawed and very human, doing what needed to be done for King and country, which conveniently aided his own position. I especially loved all the behind the scenes intrigue and machinations. Mantel’s imaginings of the realities of trying to meet the needs and wants of a sometimes capricious King desperately in need of a male heir felt totally believable, and had me considering what recent behind the scenes goings-on at the palace might have looked like.
History may be seen as dry and boring, but historical fiction - in Mantel’s hands at least- is anything but. It’s totally fascinating and absorbing, full of bawdiness, duplicitousness, and self-serving behaviour. Exceptional reading.
These books are works of historical fiction at their finest. The time period is fascinating and Mantel vividly brought it all to life. Not only was her characterisation excellent and her storytelling superb, but her attention to detail was unsurpassed, doubtless a reflection of her copious research. As a reader you are totally transported to the sixteenth century and all the behind the scenes machinations at the court. I thought the portrayal of Cromwell was brilliant. Without necessarily agreeing with Cromwell’s actions I absolutely understood his reasons for making them. He was complex, a pragmatist, flawed and very human, doing what needed to be done for King and country, which conveniently aided his own position. I especially loved all the behind the scenes intrigue and machinations. Mantel’s imaginings of the realities of trying to meet the needs and wants of a sometimes capricious King desperately in need of a male heir felt totally believable, and had me considering what recent behind the scenes goings-on at the palace might have looked like.
History may be seen as dry and boring, but historical fiction - in Mantel’s hands at least- is anything but. It’s totally fascinating and absorbing, full of bawdiness, duplicitousness, and self-serving behaviour. Exceptional reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity
Moderate: Torture
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book, probably more than Wolf Hall. It did take some time to get used to the writing style again but it's worth persevering.
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
Bring Up The Bodies is Hilary Mantel’s second book in a trilogy detailing the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell. In spite of its daunting reputation I loved the first in the series, Wolf Hall, once I got the hang of a somewhat confusing narrative. Mantel has a way of writing that makes this history of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell – which is widely known and discussed - come alive with strong tension and suspense despite knowing the outcome. Quite a feat. Summarizing these books is easy peasy. In Wolf Hall, Henry wants to marry Anne – Heaven and Earth are moved, England’s religion is irrevocably altered, and people die to make this happen. In Bring Up The Bodies, Henry wants to marry Jane Seymour – Heaven and Earth are moved, and people die (chiefly Anne Boleyn, her brother and a selection of Anne’s other courtiers) to make this happen.
Okay, so a little more detail. Henry and Anne have been married for a few years and the bloom is off the rose. They have had their first child, Elizabeth, and though Henry is clearly disappointed he’s willing to take that as a sign of Anne’s fertility. Surely they will have a boy soon…only they don’t. After several miscarriages Henry begins to look on Jane Seymour with greater and greater interest (she is placid and more biddable than Anne, who can be a shrew), and hints that surely something must be wrong with his marriage to Anne that they have not been blessed with a male heir. Henry speculates with Cromwell on possible ways to invalidate his marriage, and Cromwell, ever the master statesman and negotiator, sets about to make what Henry wishes a reality.
Once again Mantel excels at exemplifying the complications that make Cromwell’s job such a balancing act, and just how skilled he is at managing the affairs of country and king. Cromwell bears the brunt of disapproving for creating the means of Anne and Henry’s marriage, and he is not popular for it. He has the precarious position of attempting diplomacy and managing the affairs of three factions – those who are upset with Henry’s treatment of Katherine and the bastardized Mary, Anne and her kin, as well as Jane Seymour’s family – who is on the rise. His life clearly hangs in the balance if he makes a misstep. Allusions are made to the the deaths of both Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas More, who are never far from the forefront of Cromwell’s thoughts. Everyone knows what happens when Henry is displeased. Still, I felt less aligned with him this time around. Something about the speed of the events, the callousness of making the accusations, and the way Cromwell interacted with the accused had me questioning Mantel’s version of events toward the end of this novel. I understood Cromwell’s position but I definitely liked him less – and I wanted to check up to see where Mantel was playing fast and loose with history because some of it just didn’t jive.
Mantel is as deft with her portrayals as she is in Wolf Hall. The characterizations are witty, and she communicates a vast amount of information about the state of the kingdom and its people as well as the players involved in Henry’s marital woes. As ever she manages to take a known outcome and still insert tension, entertainment and suspense. Bring up the Bodies succeeds in accessibility where Wolf Hall caused trepidation. A worthy sequel, but I wasn’t quite as enamored of it as I was its predecessor. Recommended.
Audiobook Thoughts: I have heard much ado about the narration skills of Simon Vance. It was part of the reason that I chose to listen to Bring Up The Bodies. I enjoyed the narration and the way he voiced his characters. Bring Up The Bodies has quite a bit of dialogue and it was easy to follow along knowing who was speaking at any given time. Henry was whiny (very appropriate, imho) and Cromwell sounded super dry and witty. Vance handily captured both the gravity of the narrative and the personalities of the characters. Listen!
Okay, so a little more detail. Henry and Anne have been married for a few years and the bloom is off the rose. They have had their first child, Elizabeth, and though Henry is clearly disappointed he’s willing to take that as a sign of Anne’s fertility. Surely they will have a boy soon…only they don’t. After several miscarriages Henry begins to look on Jane Seymour with greater and greater interest (she is placid and more biddable than Anne, who can be a shrew), and hints that surely something must be wrong with his marriage to Anne that they have not been blessed with a male heir. Henry speculates with Cromwell on possible ways to invalidate his marriage, and Cromwell, ever the master statesman and negotiator, sets about to make what Henry wishes a reality.
Once again Mantel excels at exemplifying the complications that make Cromwell’s job such a balancing act, and just how skilled he is at managing the affairs of country and king. Cromwell bears the brunt of disapproving for creating the means of Anne and Henry’s marriage, and he is not popular for it. He has the precarious position of attempting diplomacy and managing the affairs of three factions – those who are upset with Henry’s treatment of Katherine and the bastardized Mary, Anne and her kin, as well as Jane Seymour’s family – who is on the rise. His life clearly hangs in the balance if he makes a misstep. Allusions are made to the the deaths of both Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas More, who are never far from the forefront of Cromwell’s thoughts. Everyone knows what happens when Henry is displeased. Still, I felt less aligned with him this time around. Something about the speed of the events, the callousness of making the accusations, and the way Cromwell interacted with the accused had me questioning Mantel’s version of events toward the end of this novel. I understood Cromwell’s position but I definitely liked him less – and I wanted to check up to see where Mantel was playing fast and loose with history because some of it just didn’t jive.
Mantel is as deft with her portrayals as she is in Wolf Hall. The characterizations are witty, and she communicates a vast amount of information about the state of the kingdom and its people as well as the players involved in Henry’s marital woes. As ever she manages to take a known outcome and still insert tension, entertainment and suspense. Bring up the Bodies succeeds in accessibility where Wolf Hall caused trepidation. A worthy sequel, but I wasn’t quite as enamored of it as I was its predecessor. Recommended.
Audiobook Thoughts: I have heard much ado about the narration skills of Simon Vance. It was part of the reason that I chose to listen to Bring Up The Bodies. I enjoyed the narration and the way he voiced his characters. Bring Up The Bodies has quite a bit of dialogue and it was easy to follow along knowing who was speaking at any given time. Henry was whiny (very appropriate, imho) and Cromwell sounded super dry and witty. Vance handily captured both the gravity of the narrative and the personalities of the characters. Listen!