Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel

Bring Up the Bodies

By Hilary Mantel

  • Release Date: 2012-05-08
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 770 Ratings

Description

Winner of the 2012 Man Booker Prize
Winner of the 2012 Costa Book of the Year Award


The sequel to Hilary Mantel's 2009 Man Booker Prize winner and New York Times bestseller, Wolf Hall delves into the heart of Tudor history with the downfall of Anne Boleyn

Though he battled for seven years to marry her, Henry is disenchanted with Anne Boleyn. She has failed to give him a son and her sharp intelligence and audacious will alienate his old friends and the noble families of England. When the discarded Katherine dies in exile from the court, Anne stands starkly exposed, the focus of gossip and malice.

At a word from Henry, Thomas Cromwell is ready to bring her down. Over three terrifying weeks, Anne is ensnared in a web of conspiracy, while the demure Jane Seymour stands waiting her turn for the poisoned wedding ring. But Anne and her powerful family will not yield without a ferocious struggle. Hilary Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies follows the dramatic trial of the queen and her suitors for adultery and treason. To defeat the Boleyns, Cromwell must ally with his natural enemies, the papist aristocracy. What price will he pay for Anne's head?
Bring Up the Bodies is one of The New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2012, one of Publishers Weekly's Top 10 Best Books of 2012 and one of The Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2012

Reviews

  • wow

    5
    By Florence Rome j
    What a great reading -Lovingly dearMe
  • Historical Details in Novels

    5
    By Woesong
    I learned two facts, assuming they are historically accurate, from this story. (1) A masque, celebrating the fall of Wolsey, Cromwell's mentor, featured the Cardinal's effigy carried to the trash. The sheet on which the pantomime corpse rested was held by four individuals, and those same four were subsequently tortured and executed for dallying with Queen Ann, the prosecution under the authority of that same Cromwell. Utterly remarkable, if true. (2) Although all the testimony against the queen related to infidelity, that was never a capital offense; it was merely used to discredit her. The legality was covered by some charge of her reportedly speculating on the death of the king. Historical fiction is like a choice conversation with a knowing associate; history itself is too much the pageant.
  • Format corrected

    4
    By Anonimouse4
    An earlier comment says the family trees at the beginning of the book are illegible. That problem seems to have been corrected.
  • Unbelievable, yet of sound history

    5
    By Cindy's iTune's Account
    Even though one may not be able to recall allegiances and royal lineages covered during this stage of the 'war among cousins' - the author made sure her audience was treated to an enormous story with enough depth to keep us awake through the night....praying all ends well for Jacquetta Woodville and her family, but knowing Countess Rivers life was hard and wrought with so much loss that most modern day women would fail to survive!
  • Stylistically unfathomable

    1
    By peggyb333
    I loved "Wolf Hall" and so pre-ordered this book. Never again without a sample - it was like trying to read in a foreign language. The dialogue is tortured, the story so encumbered by the dialogue that I literally found it unreadable.
  • Excelelnt book and narration

    5
    By muse1848
    Wonderful book and truly excellent narration brought it to life. I will seek out this narrator for other audio books.
  • A Great Historical Novel

    5
    By sjsla
    This is a great historical novel, one of the best. Along with Wolf Hall, Mantel has expertly evoked the drama and politics of Henry VIII's reign. I was truly sorry to finish the book. Can't wait to read the final volume.
  • Bring Up the Bodies

    3
    By CNMcC
    After years of reading many, many books on the Tudors I have to say that this book is just ok. No better, no worse. It is not captivating. It is hard to keep up with what character is currently in the main role and offers little of the excitement the Tudors are known for. The story line progresses at a snails pace, but manages to continue on.
  • Brilliant

    5
    By Wendy Victor
    Luminous; breathtaking story-telling, and even better than the first part of the trilogy. I loved it!!
  • Not worth the effort

    1
    By Gmblackcar
    I really enjoyed "Wolf Hall" and was looking forward to reading this book. However, it's written in such a different style that I'd be hard pressed to believe that the author is the same one. The dialogue is difficult at best to follow, or to determine at times who is speaking. Characters are referred to by more than one name which also makes for confusion. I have read many books about the Tudors. I gave up on this one after reading only half, hoping that things would get better. They did not. Would not recommend this at all.