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heather667's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide, Pedophilia, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and War
naomi_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Confinement, Self harm, Torture, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
These books are works of historical fiction at their finest. The time period is fascinating and Mantel vividly brought it all to life. Not only was her characterisation excellent and her storytelling superb, but her attention to detail was unsurpassed, doubtless a reflection of her copious research. As a reader you are totally transported to the sixteenth century and all the behind the scenes machinations at the court. I thought the portrayal of Cromwell was brilliant. Without necessarily agreeing with Cromwell’s actions I absolutely understood his reasons for making them. He was complex, a pragmatist, flawed and very human, doing what needed to be done for King and country, which conveniently aided his own position. I especially loved all the behind the scenes intrigue and machinations. Mantel’s imaginings of the realities of trying to meet the needs and wants of a sometimes capricious King desperately in need of a male heir felt totally believable, and had me considering what recent behind the scenes goings-on at the palace might have looked like.
History may be seen as dry and boring, but historical fiction - in Mantel’s hands at least- is anything but. It’s totally fascinating and absorbing, full of bawdiness, duplicitousness, and self-serving behaviour. Exceptional reading.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Confinement, Miscarriage, and Torture
georgie_mb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I started off reading this as a buddy read with someone else, but unfortunately my friend didn’t make it past the 1/4 mark but I decided to persevere.
It had been truly fascinating to read about Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power, and there are some brilliant moments to humour and clever speech. However, the main problem I found with this is the flow of the writing. It took me at least 200 pages to get into this (normally I DNF but I kept going because of the buddy read) and then after that, it would be on and off. I would find myself sucked into the story, with pages flying by, only to be chucked out again and left feeling a little lost. She does mention in the notes at the end that it’s hard to please both historian and reader, but I think she could have made it a little easier for the reader to follow, especially as she uses pronouns so much that you never know who’s talking!
I am glad I read this, as it’s definitely not your everyday novel, but it will be a while before I decide whether to pick up the next book.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Child death, Torture, Blood, Grief, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
queerloras's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Torture, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Torture
quickermorequickly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Incest