GROUP READ of Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

Hi everyone, this thread is to discuss Bring up the Bodies, the second book in Hilary Mantel's trilogy about Thomas Cromwell. Goal is to read this in March, but join us any time. Hope you join in!

Just started it today. Very seamless beginning (and you notice that Mantel heard the complaning and is now indicating that Cromwell is speaking by writing He, Cromwell, said..... I don't think it was nec but it doesnt interrupt my reading) They are now at Wolf Hall with the Seymours. Knowing what I know, its fun watching Cromwell jousting with the queens um I mean the kings men at dinner.

I'm going to start this in about a week, I have another book to finish up first.

I ordered it and it is on deck but not until I get a couple of others done.

yeah, there is a lot of "He, Cromwell, said" And yeah, it's disruptive. And I'm finding the book depressing.

pgs 327-30, Cromwell's conversation with Norris. The first time I read this it was a shock - suddenly I realized why people hated him so and surprised I didn't see it earlier (tho there were a few lines that had me suspect) His speech here is down right Orwellian. And I realized that he'd been like this all along, when I thought him a gentleman. This time around got that same shiver down my spine. Its at this point I think when Mantel has turned him back upright, bringing in the shadow from the light.

>5 majkia: It is depressing - you can really start to see how everything is crumbling.

This book is quite a bit shorter than the other two. I'm on page 134. I don't find as much in it that I want to highlight as in Wolf Hall but I still like it very much.

In todays NY Times, a profile of Mantel: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/books/hilary-mantel-mirror-and-the-light-thom...

Im not big on fashion but I do have to say how much I love what she has done with her hair. A soft look that makes her look younger.

I've finished my reread of this. Reading Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies back to back is interesting. Cromwell is on top of the world and his motives all seem logical and decent in Wolf Hall. You really see a different side of him in Bring up the Bodies - more calculating and also holding grudges.

I miss his relationships with the various women that are in Wolf Hall. Bring up the Bodies seems more narrowly focused. Although some of his male relationships are more developed, like with his son Gregory, Rafe, and Wriothesley.

I'm very curious to see what Mantel does with her exploration of Cromwell in the final book. I'm going to read one other book that came in at the library first and then will start The Mirror and the Light in a couple weeks. I'll put up a thread for our April group read at the end of March. Hopefully we'll have more people join in!

My order just came in! Will pick it up today but unfornately will not be able to dive in until Sunday; Im in the middle of last minute planning for a wedding shower I am hosting Saturday! But Im sure it will be worth the wait!

I am starting Bring Up the Bodies today.

>11 Kristelh: Excited to hear what you think! It's quite a bit shorter than Wolf Hall.

So far I find it easier to focus because it is more narrowly focused. I find the inner thoughts of Cromwell interesting. I am liking it.

>13 Kristelh: I both liked and disliked the narrow focus. It keeps things moving, but I missed the rich exploration of other characters in wolf Hall. But it's an amazing look at Cromwell.

>14 japaul22:, I think it helps to have this more in-depth look at Cromwell and maybe it will be a nice fit between the first and the third book.

I found it interesting when Cromwell tells Catherine that it is because of her decision that England broke away from the Roman church and not the Kings. That England would have stayed loyal to the Roman church if she had chose to willingly go into a convent.

I think that is right. That being said the poor woman was cast out after 20 years of marriage, her crown taken away. It is an interesting premise for a book ' what if'

I was looking forward to this read, but I didn't borrow a paper copy when I could. Worse, RL is sucking all my energy. Maybe in April . . . ?

Norah Loft, one of my favorite British authors of the mid 20th century, wrote a book about Katherine called The King's Pleasure. Wonderfully written gives a much more nuanced look at her life and struggles then most books about her. Worth seeking out!

>18 NinieB: Join in any time! I will keep this thread starred so I'll see any posts.

>20 japaul22: Thank you! After this coming week things will get better at work, and maybe I'll be able to borrow an electronic copy somewhere.

I have the book, and in paper, too. I'll try to start it later this week!

I think is quote is very fitting the times; "the things you think are the disasters in your life are not the disasters really. Almost anything can be turned around; out of every ditch, a path, if you only see it."

Finished today. I have to say I liked the writing. Many great passages. Has anyone started the next book? How is it so far?

I am well into the next book; liking it but it does need editing, esp in the middle, and lacks a lot of the humor that I so loved about the other two. But it is a much darker book - still the writing is amazing and I really cant put it down (good thing about the stay home rule - I can read to my hearts content!)

I made a thread for The Mirror and the Light.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/318087