At the beginning of the novel, fortunately, we are given a list of the numerous characters. Obviously one wouldn't forget people like the King and his Queens, but I found I needed the memory check for some of the others.
The novel is told in the present tense, which I don't always care for, but have to admit that it added immediacy. One felt one was there in Tudor times in Cromwell's house, and that the characters didn't know what was going to happen next even if you, the reader, did. But what did irritate me was the fact that the author almost always referred to Cromwell as 'he', rather than by his name, so one had to keep reading back to see which 'he' she meant. This quirk, plus all the characters and time-changes - and my general exhaustion with pup at present - contributed to making this 650-page epic a slow read. But I admire the author's tour de force and indeed I ended up much admiring Thomas Cromwell, a blacksmith's son who rose to high offices of state. Will I read the sequel, yes I will, even though I know it will end badly.
Here's a Guardian review.
6 comments:
I have this book on my Kindle, but am only a couple of chapters into it. I am enjoying it and when I catch up with all the other books I've promised to read, I can't wait to carry on and enjoy the rest of it.
I am still undecided even after your excellent review.
Gd luck, Debs.
LLM, I don't read many historical novels and didn't intend to read this one, but as I acquired it for free, I thought I'd give it a try. It was heavy going at first and I skipped the odd page, but it grew on me once I stepped into the Tudor world.
I was soon drawn in and hooked as well. Will definitely read the sequel - just hope Hilary Mantel is feeling well enough to be writing it.
This was a slog for me but I did enjoy it. However, my next read was a Janet Evanovich. I couldn't have managed anything heavier.
I loved the layers in this novel and the wonderful use of language. Mantel reminds me of the late, great Dorothy Dunnett in that respect. I did think the structure could have been tighter. There were boundaries, but the road was wide and the narrative sometimes lurched along it like a drunk.
Still, it makes certain other authors with work set in the Tudor period look like little girls with colouring books.
Agree, Susan. Sometimes you feel HM could have left out some of the minor characters in what seemed like a chaotic world. But a much more realistic Tudor world than any I've encountered before.
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