I keep reminding myself that it's fiction.

What did you like best about this story?

Mantel's writing is so good that I have to remind myself that it's a work of fiction and not an academic study. She is so convincing that it's sometimes difficult to ascertain where the facts end and fiction starts.

Any additional comments?

The whole series is a must read/listen. The mastery of narration and the performance on the audio make it an unforgettable experience.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

perfect

everything i was anticipating from tge wolf hall sequel. beautifully written wonderfully narrated. what a joy! my second time round

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb!

What made the experience of listening to Bring Up the Bodies the most enjoyable?

Came to this straight from Wolf Hall and, although it was a little slow to begin with it rapidly gripped me, with the kind of grim horror that this story always has induced in me. Superbly written, obviously, and the feeling of the period wonderfully brought to life!

What other book might you compare Bring Up the Bodies to, and why?

Wolf Hall, fairly obviously!

What three words best describe Simon Vance’s performance?

Not quite as riveting as Simon Slater was with Wolf Hall, but still easy to listen to.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

just anther fan

this sequel to Wolf Hall was just as good to listen to. I really enjoyed the different perspective on a well known plot. even though he was clearly a tough character I felt real empathy with Cromwell, and enjoyed the unusual interactions that put him at the centre while the more famous were off to the side of the narrative.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb

loved it. A master piece of historical fiction. As with the previous book in this series.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

👍

Loved it great story of the man who is in charge behind the Tudor throne

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent 2nd book

I scoured the first book, Wolf Hall, then downloaded this one straight away and likewise binge listened. About to go an look for the third of the trilogy now.

Generally, after an hour or so of listening to a book my mind starts to wonder. Not so with these two books. I listened for several hours as a stretch and could have carried on if not for the need to sleep. I appreciate there will be much artistic licence here but I feel I understand this period of history much better than I did before.

The brutality is astonishing but so too is the building of tension towards the event that we all know is coming. Incredibly well written, with the characters leaping off the page. Well paced and amazing to think all this happened 500 years ago in this country. The way they thought, spoke and lived their lives seems a lot longer ago

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

fantastic

brings life to history, Mantel breathes life into dusty historical characters, and tells a story in a very unique and engrossing manner, complimented by excellent narration, really fascinating listening

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Tudor turbulence continued

This book takes up where Wolf Hall left off. Henry VIII has married Anne Boleyn but his enchantment with her is waning, especially after his disappointment at her delivering a daughter. He is planning to ditch her and marry Jane Seymore. This short period of history is described in minute detail combining facts with imaginative speculation as to what was said or happened. There were times when the detail and sheer number of names was confusing, but overall it was a good listen. I think Wolf Hall is marginally the better book.
As with Wolf Hall, this short period of history is seen through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, who, in this book is a less sympathetic character as he becomes embroiled in often repellent manoeuvres to find grounds to get rid of Anne. It must have been a dangerous time to be a member of the Court as Henry is a frighteningly unpredictable, selfish and self-righteous.
I thought the reader did a good job of giving the characters different voices which helped with so many characters to keep track of.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

20 people found this helpful

Another enthralling chapter of Thomas Cromwell

This is the sequel to Wolf Hall. Henry has married Anne Boleyn; they have a daughter Elizabeth, but still no male heir. Henry has broken with the Church of Rome and in so doing has alienated most of the crown heads of Europe. We rejoin Henry as he visits Wolf Hall with his loyal Master Secretary, Thomas Cromwell. During their visit the King’s eye falls upon the shy, apparently unpromising and slightly gauche Jane Seymour. Ever sensitive to the changing fortunes at Court, Cromwell has no hesitation in dropping his former sponsors, the Boleyn’s and realigning himself with new allies in the form of the Seymour family and the supporters of Mary - the daughter of Henry’s first Queen, Katherine. As Cromwell works tirelessly to make the King’s new desires reality, the opportunities present themselves to settle some old scores. Ever faithful to his first master, the Cardinal Wolsey, Cromwell proves with ruthless efficiency the saying, “The mill stones of God grind slowly: but they grind very small.”
This is a wonderfully created story of what happens next, with a lot of human detail that gives the tale plausibility and gives us further glimpses into the formation of the personality and motivation of our unlikely hero, Thomas Cromwell.
I bought the book on the day it was published and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Now I am going to thoroughly enjoy having it read to me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful