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Book Review
Oct. 5th, 2016 10:22 pmBring Up the Bodies
by Hilary Mantel
Bring Up the Bodies is the sequel to Mantel's Wolf Hall and continues the story of Cromwell's life and career in the Tudor court. This book centers on the downfall of Anne Boleyn and Cromwell's central role in bringing it about.
Once again, Mantel gives us intimate insight into Cromwell and his circle of friends, associates, and enemies both inside and outside of the Tudor court. We see Cromwell's curious mix of ruthless efficacy and personal compassion for those he deals with. He comes off as colder here, however, as he pursues the ruin of Anne Boleyn with a steady focus on what the king requires rather than any strong concern for the truth, guilt, or innocence. It all gives the novel a curious feeling of foreboding, not just for Anne and her circle, but also for Cromwell, as there is a growing sense that his work in ridding the king of his wife will surely have consequences down the road.
Mantel has a unique prose style, but one that works for me and that I find effective at evoking the Tudor era and its people. Bring Up the Bodies was a very satisfying read.
by Hilary Mantel
Bring Up the Bodies is the sequel to Mantel's Wolf Hall and continues the story of Cromwell's life and career in the Tudor court. This book centers on the downfall of Anne Boleyn and Cromwell's central role in bringing it about.
Once again, Mantel gives us intimate insight into Cromwell and his circle of friends, associates, and enemies both inside and outside of the Tudor court. We see Cromwell's curious mix of ruthless efficacy and personal compassion for those he deals with. He comes off as colder here, however, as he pursues the ruin of Anne Boleyn with a steady focus on what the king requires rather than any strong concern for the truth, guilt, or innocence. It all gives the novel a curious feeling of foreboding, not just for Anne and her circle, but also for Cromwell, as there is a growing sense that his work in ridding the king of his wife will surely have consequences down the road.
Mantel has a unique prose style, but one that works for me and that I find effective at evoking the Tudor era and its people. Bring Up the Bodies was a very satisfying read.
