Bring Up the Bodies

2014 Longlist

Continuing what began in the Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall, we return to the court of Henry VIII, to witness the irresistible rise of Thomas Cromwell as he contrives the destruction of Anne Boleyn.
By 1535 Cromwell is Chief Minister to Henry, his fortunes having risen with those of Anne Boleyn. But the split from the Catholic Church has left England dangerously isolated, and Anne has failed to give the king an heir. Cromwell watches as Henry falls for plain Jane Seymour. Negotiating the politics of the court, Cromwell must find a solution that will satisfy Henry, safeguard the nation and secure his own career. But neither minister nor king will emerge unscathed from the bloody theatre of Anne’s final days.
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.

(From Publisher)

About the Author

Hilary Mantel is the author of thirteen books, including A Place of Greater Safety, Beyond Black and the memoir Giving Up the Ghost. Her two most recent novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, have both been awarded the Man Booker Prize. With this historic win, Hilary Mantel becomes the first British author and the first woman to be awarded two Man Booker Prizes, as well as being the first to win with two consecutive novels.

Librarians’ Comments

Once again Mantel has managed to masterfully re-image the life of Thomas Cromwell. In Bring Up the Bodies, the familiar story of the execution of Anne Boleyn is told with utter originality in fierce and graceful prose.

In her sequel to Wolf Hall, Mantel paints a gripping picture of the fate of Anne Boleyn. This is a wonderfully written masterpiece of a novel, a story that stays with you long after you have read the last page.

The story of Anne Boleyn’s trial and execution, of her stormy relationship with Henry VIII, of Henry’s attraction to Jane Seymour, and to the Seymours’ and the Boleyns’ conflicting ambitions, has been told many times, but is still a fascinating and intriguing story that Ms. Mantel tells us though the eyes of the social upstart, Thomas Cromwell. She writes a beautiful pageant with a precise reconstruction of the historical elements but also a great richness of the social, psychological details, thus making it universal.

An exceptional piece of work from a wonderful writer working at the peak of her considerable powers.

Sequel to Wolf Hall, this novel offers wit, daring style and wide historical knowledge. Mantel transforms historical detail into darkly vivid fiction.

Bring Up the Bodies explores one of the most mystifying and frightening episodes in English history – the destruchion of Anne Boleyn. Well – drawn characters, lively dialogue and swift pace make this a truly accomplished piece of work.

Utterly griffing, a rare sequel, even better than the first volume.

Well written but not in the usual way. Intricate yet very readable.

The second book in Mantel’s trilogy about Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power, this one, concerning Anne Boleyn and Henry 8th as viewed from Cromwell’s perspective. This is a fine work of fiction as the author’s style, intelligence and depth of historical research is peerless.