Wolf Hall was probably the first book in years where I found myself magnetised back to the page whenever I'd put it down. I know it's a controversial style of writing that isn't for everyone, but when an author speaks to you, it can be intoxicating, and I fell hard for Hilary Mantel and her Cromwellian narration. Imagine my delight then to find that Bring Up the Bodies is, just maybe, even better.

There's a slow run-up at the start, as Mantel graciously re-sets the table for the audience, filling us in on each character's status and headspace, but as it rushes into the Second Part, it achieves something that Wolf Hall could not. That novel was concerned with setting up its own universe - its people, its systems, its way of communicating that to the audience. It is capturing a sense of existence - an achievement that has rightly landed it amongst lists of the century's best novels so far. Bring Up the Bodies arrives with the world already primed and loaded. So it pulls the trigger. The result is a laser-precise back half that arranges the downfall of Anne Boleyn into an exquisite shitshow. These books have always been concerned with power, and here we see that power twist itself into nonsense shapes. Cromwell can only rise higher behind a facade of justice, and nothing can stand in his way as he pursues not truth, but "the truth that is helpful to us."

I read this alongside one of my friends and we would call each other up every other week to fawn over it. One of my favourite reading experiences of the last few years.

Just keeps giving, a page-turner even though the history is known.

I really liked Wolf Hall and many of the good elements can be found here as well. But... somehow didn't quite excite me the same way. Considering that Anne Boleyn is the main focus of the book, she's almost invisible: things happen to her, instead of her being a full character. Did Mantel want to avoid taking too strong sides in the historical debate? Or is it a technique that reflects Cromwell's lawyer attitude? Anyway, not quite Wolf Hall.

Fabulous. Stylishly written. Page turner. Cromwell is an intriguing character. Can't wait for the next.

Lord.

I didn't think I would ever read another book about the reign of Henry VIII. He is just so unlikeable and horrifying, and I really thought everything had been said. I was persuaded by the reviews though, and attempted this novel written through the experience of Thomas Cromwell, who I have never seen treated sympathetically before. I enjoyed it and will read the next one, although I won't be going back to the first. No need to worry about spoilers with this novel either as we all know how it will turn out.

Captures the man, makes him sympathetic. Human nature in all it's weakness and splendour seen. Brilliant.