Paperback, 432 pages
English language
Published March 2013 by Picador.
Though he battled for years to marry her—a story told in Wolf Henry is now disenchanted with Anne Boleyn. She has failed to give him a son, and her sharp intelligence alienates his old friends and the noble families of England. At a word from Henry. Thomas Cromwell is ready to bring her down. Over a few terrifying weeks. Cromwell ensnares her in a web of conspiracy, while the demure Jane Seymour waits her turn for the poisoned wedding ring. But Anne and her powerful family will not yield without a ferocious struggle, and to defeat the Boleyns, Cromwell must now ally himself with his enemies. What price will he pay for Anne's head?
Hailed around the world as a stunning literary achievement. Bring Up the Bodies evokes this frightening episode of English history as no book has before. --back cover
An interesting read on how things might have happened and how Thomas Cromwell might have felt. I normally like more action in my historical fiction, but I'll read the next volume.
After having trouble with Wolf Hall, I was reluctant to continue with the series. I am glad I did! Bring Up the Bodies was much easier to read than its predecessor. Hilary Mantel (or her editors) finally got rid of the "he" problem with the sometimes awkward construction: "He, Cromwell."
I have learned by now that Mantel is telling the story of Cromwell. He (yes, he, Cromwell) is the center of attention; not Henry, not Anne. Cromwell is really stuck in an ugly place; he has no choice but to do the king's bidding. To Mantel's credit, she maintains some suspense even though we know the outcome. Cromwell is portrayed as a subtle, brilliant, vindictive, selfish man, and I mean this in all the best ways.
My favorite quotes from this book:
By Henry: "We cannot help what we do, really. Once you are thundering down at a man, you …
After having trouble with Wolf Hall, I was reluctant to continue with the series. I am glad I did! Bring Up the Bodies was much easier to read than its predecessor. Hilary Mantel (or her editors) finally got rid of the "he" problem with the sometimes awkward construction: "He, Cromwell."
I have learned by now that Mantel is telling the story of Cromwell. He (yes, he, Cromwell) is the center of attention; not Henry, not Anne. Cromwell is really stuck in an ugly place; he has no choice but to do the king's bidding. To Mantel's credit, she maintains some suspense even though we know the outcome. Cromwell is portrayed as a subtle, brilliant, vindictive, selfish man, and I mean this in all the best ways.
My favorite quotes from this book:
By Henry: "We cannot help what we do, really. Once you are thundering down at a man, you cannot check." He says this while preparing for jousting, but really, isn't that just Henry in a nutshell?
By Cromwell: "You know I am not a man with whom you can have inconsequential conversations."
