The Anne Boleyn Files

For anyone who loved Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel the sequel, Bring up the Bodies is due out in May this year. She's also going to be speaking at the Hay Festival.

I did wonder at the title of the book and then discovered it was about Anne's fall. As Wolf Hall was told from Cromwell's point of view I'm presuming this one will be too. Definitely my 'must read' of 2012!

I have pre-ordered Bring up the Bodies from Amazon. I cannot wait until this is released. I hope Mantel keeps the same format, and tells the story from Cromwell's point of view. I am eager to see how she handles Anne's downfall and Cromwell's role in it.

It took me awhile to read Wolf Hall, but when I finally read it, I was enveloped in the story. I do find the story is slow to start, but once you get into the story, it is a wonderful journey to be on.

Mind, there are a lot of people who hate this book. It is a choice of preference. It is not a bodice ripper (thank god for that), and considers the historical events. I love her Anne Boleyn and Cromwell's assessment of her. I admit, Cromwell was never my favourite, but after reading WolfHall, I felt more sympathy for him. He is a great narrator, as Mantel can move him into the intimate lives of the characters.

I loved "Wolf Hall."  It did take a while to get into it, but once I did I couldn't put the book down.  I ended up thinking that my harsh judgement of him may have been somewhat unfair.  I cannot wait to see how Mantel handles  Cromwell's role in Anne's downfall.  The end left me wanting more.  I am looking forward to the second book, "Bring Up The Bodies." 

I can't wait for this either and I'm also one who now thinks of Cromwell in a slightly more sympathetic light as a consequence of Wolf Hall.

Bit dubious about the title though; sounds more like a horror (which, as its dealing with Anne's fall, it is, but still!)

Hi Everyone _

Thanks "Anne Fan" for starting this thread…I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments so much..I'm just wondering if anyone would be interested in discussing this book later in Spring.  The release date is May.  If yes, we could just continue with this thread adding on to it as people have a chance to read the book.  Any takers??

Jaye

I haven't got around to reading this one yet, and my daughter has just brough six more Tudor related books to read, so i'm good for a month or so. Cromwell I think was a bit of a scoundrel, but he did get things done, and perhaps from that point of view it was sad that he ended up on the block for actually doing his job.

I was just wondering about everyone's view on the way Hilary Mantel portrayed Anne in 'Wolf Hall'. What did you guys think of it? I thought it was slightly on the harsh side and sometimes had a hard time remembering it was Cromwells view of her and the author imagining people and events through his eyes.
I can see Cromwells view of Anne deteriorating rapidly during 'Bring Up The Bodies' but do you think Hilary Mantel would go so far as to have Anne actually being guilty?

Anne was not a very likable person in "Wolf Hall." She probably won't be in "Bring Up The Bodies" either, but I have prepared myself for that. I would love it if Cromwell were to admit Anne was innocent in the new book. We'll have to wait and see. That's why I am so looking forward to the new book.

Just got my copy – so can't wait to read it

I shall preface this by admitting I haven't read Wolfhall and I don't plan to or to read this one but in the author's defence she is writing about the events through Cromwell's eyes so I would expect the innocent people to be painted more guilty, I hope though that she does allow somehow Cromwell to admit there was fabrication going on.

I will admit when I watched the 2 videos I thought she went very close to claiming Anne was guilty (of at least some of the charges) but stopped herself short of saying that, in fear of people attacking her PG style which would affect sales obviously. But I was also distracted by how much older she was than I thought she would be.