Historical fiction is one of my favorite types of books and Hilary Mantel is fast becoming one of my favorite authors for this genre after reading Wolf Hall (2009) and her more recent Bring Up the Bodies (2012).

Starting in England in the early 1500’s the books follow the course of Thomas Cromwell’s life as he negotiates the complicated and tricky court of Henry the VII. Of course there have been many books written about this period of English history and many movies as well, but what is fascinating about Mantel’s treatment of this period of history is the deep personal empathy with which she fleshes out Thomas Cromwell, a man who rises to the peak of power and influence and yet is of lowly birth, and has no real status other than that which he has gathered and worked for as the implementer of King Henry VII’s will and wishes.

Wolf Hall follows the rise of Henry the VII and Anne Boleyn’s courtship and ends with the death of Sir Thomas Moore who stood in the way of Henry and Anne’s marriage.  Although we know the outcome from history, the book focuses on the very real humanity of each of these players.  Henry who is frustrated by the limitations of his own power as king and cannot get his own way.  And Anne, who is caught up in the schemes of her power hungry family and who longs for the power and independence that life as queen might bring.  Even though the Protestant cause provides a means to and end, Anne sincerely believes in its values and becomes quite devout, even as the Church/State conflict swirls around her.  Thomas Moore, a man of deep spiritual conviction is caught in a changing time and a changing world.  The conflict between Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Moore, in Mantle’s hands, allows you to see the humanity and sincerity of both of these men.  In the end Cromwell remains but you are not so sure that he sees it as a win, but rather as a land mine that he has narrowly missed, and you sense the loss he feels in losing a worthy opponent and friend.

Bring up the Bodies continues the story and we see the cracks and fissures that emerge in the relationship between Anne and Henry.  Henry got what he wanted but begins to see that what he thought he wanted was not what he wanted after all.  Thomas Cromwell must negotiate an increasingly difficult course of action as he tries to read Henry’s vacillating wishes and step around the traps set by the more highly born factions of the court including the Boleyn’s who relish the power and authority Anne’s elevation to queen has brought them.

Mantel uses a unique voice for Cromwell throughout her books that both distances you from him, but oddly keeps you close to him as well; both seeing things from his eyes, and also seeing them from a distance. It takes getting used to but as you begin to fall into the rhythm of her great writing writing you begin to warm to Cromwell, and see the deft and careful way he negotiates through his precarious life.

A third volume, tentatively entitled the Mirror and the Light is set to be released in the future.  

Brenda’s Rating: ***** ( Five stars)                                                                                                                   

Recommend this to: Keith, Marian and Sharon

Book Study Worthy: Yes!

I read Wolf’s Hall in paper; Bring Up the Bodies in digital

http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Hall-Novel-Hilary-Mantel/dp/0312429983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349370403&sr=8-1&keywords=wolf+hall

http://www.amazon.com/Bring-Up-Bodies-Hilary-Mantel/dp/0805090037/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y