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A review by libraryofdreaming
The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel
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.