Scan barcode
carojust's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think those who love this book read it as a historical biography -- you're in it for the well-researched depiction of the Tudor court drama, I get that. But I went into this as a fiction reader, and as a story, this was a slog to get through.
"Bring Up The Bodies" follows Thomas Cromwell and his political and personal maneuvering in the name of King Henry VIII, leading to Anne Boleyn's demise. I think what's most notable about this book is the reimagining of the queens -- Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour -- who are given more influence, motives and personality than history may credit them with.
You have to be prepared for pretty dense and archaic wording (I appreciated this, honestly), and each person having 3-4 different names and titles that are alternated every sentence. But beyond these stylistic choices, it's just way longer than it needs to be, every conversation completely spelled out for you.
I vacillate in rating this, because I can see Hilary Mantel's talent in defining and empathizing with Cromwell's headspace and relationships. I just wish it were more interesting.
"Bring Up The Bodies" follows Thomas Cromwell and his political and personal maneuvering in the name of King Henry VIII, leading to Anne Boleyn's demise. I think what's most notable about this book is the reimagining of the queens -- Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour -- who are given more influence, motives and personality than history may credit them with.
You have to be prepared for pretty dense and archaic wording (I appreciated this, honestly), and each person having 3-4 different names and titles that are alternated every sentence. But beyond these stylistic choices, it's just way longer than it needs to be, every conversation completely spelled out for you.
I vacillate in rating this, because I can see Hilary Mantel's talent in defining and empathizing with Cromwell's headspace and relationships. I just wish it were more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War