Scan barcode
A review by caidyn
The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a satisfying ending to this series.
Were there historical inaccuracies and liberties taken? Sure. Jane Rochford likely wasn't how she was portrayed in this series and there were things that never happened that were included in this. Cromwell also never for sure had an illegitimate child although Mantel talks about rumors that he did have one around the time his family died.
But I found this to be a very satisfying conclusion to this series. I loved reading it and how soothing it was to sink into, even though I knew the conclusion that we were going towards. Cromwell's inevitable demise. I honestly found the last couple chapters so poetic. And that last chapter with the execution? Amazing. It brought tears to my eyes.
All I can say was that there were pros and cons to this novel, but I, overall, found it completely worth it and can't wait to read the books altogether to see the whole character arc without gaps in between.
Were there historical inaccuracies and liberties taken? Sure. Jane Rochford likely wasn't how she was portrayed in this series and there were things that never happened that were included in this. Cromwell also never for sure had an illegitimate child although Mantel talks about rumors that he did have one around the time his family died.
But I found this to be a very satisfying conclusion to this series. I loved reading it and how soothing it was to sink into, even though I knew the conclusion that we were going towards. Cromwell's inevitable demise. I honestly found the last couple chapters so poetic. And that last chapter with the execution? Amazing. It brought tears to my eyes.
All I can say was that there were pros and cons to this novel, but I, overall, found it completely worth it and can't wait to read the books altogether to see the whole character arc without gaps in between.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death