Hilary Mantel: Bring Up The Bodies (Book Review)

[selenak]

In which I finally get around to the sequel to Wolf Hall, which has the virtues of the earlier book while lacking what was my problem with it. The language is gorgeous, so is the psychology, and above all, Mantel manages something so often told as the downfall of Anne Boleyn into a riveting drama in the second part of her Thomas Cromwell trilogy

Comments

[ponygirl2000]

Curse Mantel and her pronoun problems! But I did love this book, even more than the first one (maybe because the pronouns were slightly clearer). I wondered if Cromwell's belated revenge for Wolsely was something he truly felt or part of his careful construction of his own self-image. I think that Cromwell likes to think of himself as someone so loyal, rather than simply turning his mind in the most cold-blooded fashion to the problem Henry has set him - there always these great little moments when Cromwell gets brought up short when someone else's perception of him doesn't match his own, like when he's startled by people saying his portrait has the look of a murderer about him.

I can't wait for the next, though I'm sure it will be a heart-breaker!

[selenak]

I wondered if Cromwell's belated revenge for Wolsey was something he truly felt or part of his careful construction of his own self-image.

Hm, interesting interpretation. Considering, though, that Hilary Mantel went to the trouble to fudge reality a bit to give Cromwell reason to begin with (the notorious Wolsey goes to hell mockery did take place, commissioned by the Duke of Norfolk, that charmer, but except for George Boleyn, none of the men later accused with Anne was present, and George didn't participate), I think it's at least a big part of what he's feeling. Though I also had the impression he's written as in transition, i.e. the longer the interrogation go on, the less this has to do with Wolsey.

ETA: heartbreaker - given the way his execution happened (several strokes), it's bound to be extra cruel, too!

[diotimah]

Thanks for this. It was on my virtual reading list already, but now I'm even more curious to read it. Promises to be a true treat - but then she's a wonderful writer.:)