Reviews

The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher and Other Stories by Hilary Mantel

thetbrstack's review against another edition

4.0

Wonderful writing. Mantel's phrases inspire wonder and sometimes disgust. But the stories are confusing, swathed in metaphors. Still, I enjoyed all of them, but often found myself wondering, "What was that about?"

neolx's review against another edition

dark lighthearted tense fast-paced

4.5

Wow. I get now why everyone loves Hilary Mantel. Her writing is so light and quippy and effervescent while conveying such dark and serious things. Her writing also feels very intimate and chatty, and at times is also very expressive and emotional. While a few of the stories went over my head, I really enjoyed all of them. My favorites from this collection were the title story, as well as Harley Street and How Shall I Know You? I can’t wait to read more of her writing!

edlord's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition

4.0

Cuentos juguetones e inteligentes en los que Mantel explora su propia condición como escritora, en el temor a que sus diarios fueran descubiertos si muriera mientras estaba fuera de casa o se enfrenta al acoso de un compañero de trabajo de su esposo con un bagaje cultural muy diferente al suyo (al tiempo que bebe el café con jóvenes adineradas árabes para quienes es impensable que ella sea escritora o tenga un agente), o que ayuda al asesino de Margaret Thatcher a cumplir su cometido.

theabee's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation

mirandatamsin's review against another edition

3.0

Clearly well-written and some of the stories were truly compelling (The Heart Fails Without Warning, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher). But more of them fell flat for me, and it was a minor chore to pick up the book and finish it.

beccaattiffanys's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

reedabook's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

3.0

lambsears's review against another edition

5.0

Wow - just wow.

I wasn't a fan of historical fiction - until I read Wolf Hall & couldn't put it down. Now I have to say the same about short stories. Didn't really love them all that much but Hilary has swayed me again.

These stories are tightly written and sharp - so sharp they sting. There are no words wasted and each tale leaves the reader feeling at least a little bit unsettled and disquieted.

Once again, I couldn't take my nose out until it was all over - all too soon.

meet_cute_librarian's review against another edition

3.0

A mixed bag, like most short story collections. They definitely improved as the book went along. This was the first of Mantel's work that I've read and I do like her style.