Bring Up the Bodies

Name: Bring Up the Bodies
Author: Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel · 2012

The sequel to Wolf Hall, covering the fall of Anne Boleyn. Mantel won the Booker again in 2012, becoming the first woman and first British writer to win it twice. The novel is tighter and more lethal than its predecessor. Cromwell's maneuvering to bring down Anne reads like a thriller written by someone who has actually watched power operate at close range.

The case against

on the opening pages
“I nearly gave up on it after 50 pages”
a book blog
on the plot’s appeal
“the plot, as such, will engage only the most determined of Tudor enthusiasts”
Unsigned review · Kirkus Reviews, 2012
on Jane Seymour
“the character of Jane Seymour was a little bit 2D”
a book blog
on the pronoun tag
“it did feel a little clumsy to me at times”
a book blog