Immerse yourself in the tumultuous court of Henry VIII through the eyes of an extraordinary political mind. This series chronicles the journey of a blacksmith's son who rises to become a powerful statesman, navigating treacherous political landscapes and intricate personal relationships. Witness the dramatic ascent and inevitable fall of a pivotal figure who profoundly shaped Tudor England.
In this book, "the opulant, brutal world of the Tudors comes to glittering, bloody life. It is the backdrop to the rise and rise of Thomas Cromwell: lowborn boy, charmer, bully, master of deadly intrigue, and, finally, most powerful of all Henry VIII's courtiers."--Page 4 of cover.
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2012, the 2012 Costa Book of the Year and shortlisted for the 2013 Women's Prize for Fiction. An astounding literary accomplishment, Bring Up the Bodies is the story of this most terrifying moment of history, by one of our greatest living novelists. 'Our most brilliant English writer' Guardian Bring Up the Bodies unlocks the darkly glittering court of Henry VIII, where Thomas Cromwell is now chief minister. With Henry captivated by plain Jane Seymour and rumours of Anne Boleyn's faithlessness whispered by all, Cromwell knows what he must do to secure his position. But the bloody theatre of the queen's final days will leave no one unscathed. 'A great novel of dark and dirty passions, public and private. A truly great story' Financial Times 'In another league. This ongoing story of Henry VIII's right-hand man is the finest piece of historical fiction I have ever read' Sunday Telegraph
Shortlisted for The Women's Prize for Fiction 2020, this long-awaited sequel concludes Hilary Mantel's acclaimed trilogy. Set in England, May 1536, the narrative opens with the swift execution of Anne Boleyn, while Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son, navigates the treacherous waters of power. As he enjoys breakfast with the victors, Cromwell's ascent continues amidst a backdrop of rebellion, treachery, and the looming threat of invasion that tests Henry VIII's regime. Lacking family support or a private army, Cromwell relies solely on his wits to envision a new future for the nation. The story poses profound questions about the past's grip on the present, as the Spanish ambassador warns Cromwell of the inevitable betrayal that awaits those close to the king. Mantel masterfully captures the final years of Cromwell's life, portraying the fierce struggle between the aspirations of a common man and the royal desires that shape the nation. This concluding volume offers a rich exploration of ambition, conflict, and the complexities of identity, bringing to life the tumultuous era of Tudor England with depth and insight.