2:37 pm
February 10, 2010
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!
2:40 pm
January 27, 2010
3:06 pm
June 7, 2010
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.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
3:20 pm
February 10, 2010
I remember reading somewhere that Cromwell was a bibliophile – his portrait shows him with books – and that he was good company, a bit of a bon viveur. But then Henry was known for crying out 'I have a Cromwell' whenever he turned over a knave (jack) when he was playing card games!
I suspect Cromwell must have been good company or I can't see him lasting as long as he did at Henry's court whatever his administrative abilities.
8:57 am
February 24, 2010
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.”
6:12 pm
November 18, 2010
4:31 pm
January 9, 2010
3:50 pm
January 27, 2010
5:01 am
September 8, 2010
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
9:41 pm
February 24, 2012
I loved Wolf Hall. My DIL lent it to me and I liked it so much that I went and bought my own copy to read again. In movies I’ve seen, Cromwell always seems to be portrayed as so cold and cunning. After reading Wolf Hall, I can feel some sympathy for him. He must have felt like he was walking a tightrope most of the time. I can’t wait to get my copy of the sequel to see how HM deals with Cromwell and Anne.
11:39 am
January 3, 2012
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.
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
10:13 am
July 9, 2009
Mantel’s other popular book A Place of Greater Safety is told from the point of view of the villains of the French Revolution. The Amazon reviews are all about how readers never thought they’d sympathize with Robespierre, and here we are all saying we didn’t think we could sympathize with Cromwell. He lost his children at young ages, something true from history that doesn’t get talked about much. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for Bring Up the Bodies.
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
10:31 pm
January 9, 2010
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?
11:03 pm
February 24, 2012
11:33 pm
February 24, 2010
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.
5:57 pm
February 24, 2010
3:27 am
January 9, 2010
11:39 am
December 5, 2009
I’ve read all the 5 star reviews of this book on amazon. They made me cry when I realised that this book is exactly what I thought it would be. I think I could read it or alternatively spend a few days sticking pins in my eyes. I’ll probably choose the latter as being less painful.
To demonise innocent people and then bring a book out just before the anniversay of their deaths is a little unfortunate. But then again I’m sure the author will make a lot of money, which is the main thing.
1:10 pm
April 9, 2011
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.
2:13 pm
December 5, 2009
Hello Bill,
Like you I think Mantel would defend her actions by saying that the view expressed regarding the Boleyns and the men who died with them are actually how Cromwell viewed them. I personally think that’s a cop out. I think it’s how Mantel sees them and she is hiding behind a character to express her views. In any case to go out of your way to paint innocent people as she has chosen to do is pretty awful. I know it’s fiction but what about morality and integrity? Or don’t they count when the author hides behind the fiction banner.
Sorry everyone, but I feel really passionate about this.
Bill, you are obviously a far nicer and more tolerant person than me. x