tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post4068979961992467307..comments2024-03-23T12:38:46.260+00:00Comments on The History Girls: Bring up the Bodies by Hilary MantelMary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-47248180735408403632015-02-25T11:31:18.076+00:002015-02-25T11:31:18.076+00:00I have read plenty of nonfiction accounts about He...<br />I have read plenty of nonfiction accounts about Henry's marriage, um, issues and lots of Tudor fiction. Mantel stands out because she writes lyrically and with authority, and her voice is unique and remarkable.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.housecleaning-maidservice-ny.com/goshen_ny_maid_service.php" rel="nofollow">Highly recommended Goshen NY Maid Service information</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00118707550077647899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-56798708011838912122013-12-03T09:59:31.439+00:002013-12-03T09:59:31.439+00:00Stunning! I'm not one to get into these sorts ...Stunning! I'm not one to get into these sorts of books as I usually find them slow and overblown - like BBC period dramas on tv. This one, though, had me enthralled from the start.<br /><br />Irene (<a href="http://www.maidservice-housecleaningsa.com" rel="nofollow">Maid service info</a>)<br /><br />Irene Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03603959953431879572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-2755247212881731772013-08-01T01:10:42.312+01:002013-08-01T01:10:42.312+01:00I loved Wolf Hall and can't wait to read Bring...I loved Wolf Hall and can't wait to read Bringing Up the Bodies. I've got a soft spot for Anne Boleyn...I know, I know. :p I'll buy this one for keeps since I already own Wolf Hall but I won't cross off the audio because of your recommendations :)<br /><br />Marlene Detierro (<a href="http://www.gourmetflyfishing.com/deschutes-river" rel="nofollow">Renton's River Adventures, Inc.</a>)Marlene Detierrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09035816972520443608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-63417919748458512382012-05-24T10:08:58.572+01:002012-05-24T10:08:58.572+01:00This is historical fiction at its best. I've b...This is historical fiction at its best. I've been reading novels set in the Tudor era since I picked up Murder Most Royal: The Story of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard by Jean Plaidy more than 40 years ago, and after the deluge of novels set around Anne Boleyn's rise and fall -- many of them pedestrian or thinly-disguised romances in fancy clothes -- had given up on any hope of finding a really good novel in the midst of all the pages written about Henry and his wives. But here it is. Mantel has crafted a novel that is not only about Henry and Anne, but about their era; about the unease that prevails in a kingdom with no legitimate male heir to a dynasty only two generations old and whose reigning monarch has turned his realm upside town by rejecting the pope's rule. She writes about the transformation of Tudor England, as men of ability, knowledge and focus, ranging from Cardinal Wolsey in the first volume to Cromwell and his apprentices (some of whom will outlive Henry) displace the nobility as the king's top advisors, to the disgruntlement of the dukes and earls and their scions. At the same time, Mantel never allows the substance to detract from the fact that she is telling the story of one man; of Cromwell, who rises to power because his elders and betters recognize the unique combination of ability and tenacity. (Here there are flashbacks to Cromwell's earlier life, chronicled in part in Wolf Hall: A Novel, showing how during his days on the continent, Cromwell began working as a common laborer only to be "talent spotted" and brought into the accounting house of a powerful Italian merchant.)Danmarkhttp://rantofimitation.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-9226741296249561672012-05-11T20:23:11.956+01:002012-05-11T20:23:11.956+01:00the "he" in Wolf Hall made me do a doubl...the "he" in Wolf Hall made me do a double take at first, but I immediately got used to it, and it was the best thing to do. Thank you Hilary for sharing all this with us, very important things have been said here. The advantages of a Kindle (1 of many): you pre-order, and on the morning of publication you get a message that the book has been downloaded to your Kindle. So I have started reading it. And the falcons with dead women's names pulled me straight in. Claws and blood, and a pallid woman, and the king, hunting, and losing his hat, and of course (a redhead) he gets sunburned. Thank you thank you.janestheonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617250693471034197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-15689928040304216012012-05-11T14:30:14.532+01:002012-05-11T14:30:14.532+01:00Brilliant interview and thank you. I've always...Brilliant interview and thank you. I've always admired Hilary Mantel and she is a most profound and thoughtful interviewee. What she said about that sense of evil strikes a chord because how else do you explain some of the things that happen in the world? If there is no struggle between good and evil then what happens to the human raison d'etre? These are questions she addresses in her novels I think which is what makes them stand out.Carmel Waldronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621502797481741040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-90888323807951864322012-05-11T10:31:10.524+01:002012-05-11T10:31:10.524+01:00What a fantastic interview Leslie. Brilliantly don...What a fantastic interview Leslie. Brilliantly done. I need to read it several times to absorb the amount of amazing stuff in it both from you and from the wonderful Hilary Mantel. I read Wolf Hall when it first came out and loved it. I've now decided to re-read it in order to get the most out of reading the sequel. Hilary shows us how complex a character Cromwell was - there is no black and white - and underlines the important need to layer our fictional characters. We are all complex people and our contradictory sides ( and those of our characters) is what makes us both human and very interesting.Miriam Halahmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17841164190139769948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-14993912434675596542012-05-10T18:52:47.941+01:002012-05-10T18:52:47.941+01:00I wish Bodies a long sojourn in the bestseller lis...I wish Bodies a long sojourn in the bestseller lists. Thank you all, especially for the technical insights. The idea of the character as camera makes so much sense.michelle lovrichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01026972300195225090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-35713277514831930392012-05-10T16:46:05.590+01:002012-05-10T16:46:05.590+01:00[deleted as double post by mistake][deleted as double post by mistake]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-79003868833702581372012-05-10T16:44:10.999+01:002012-05-10T16:44:10.999+01:00Hilary, thank you so much for sharing your insight...Hilary, thank you so much for sharing your insights, and thank you Leslie and Mary for your questions; what a wonderful blog post. I was eager to read 'Bodies' - now all else will be put aside.Mark Burgesshttp://www.markburgess.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-42629698232316543892012-05-10T16:44:09.500+01:002012-05-10T16:44:09.500+01:00Hilary, thank you so much for sharing your insight...Hilary, thank you so much for sharing your insights, and thank you Leslie and Mary for your questions; what a wonderful blog post. I was eager to read 'Bodies' - now all else will be put aside.Mark Burgesshttp://www.markburgess.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-71752446699112925712012-05-10T16:06:03.996+01:002012-05-10T16:06:03.996+01:00Brilliant from Hilary and The History Girls - a fa...Brilliant from Hilary and The History Girls - a fantastic interview, and a fitting cherry on the top of one of the finest book blogs.<br /><br />I particularly appreciated the insight into the writing style, particularly the use of 'he' throughout Wolf Hall. I have talked to many readers about this style in the shop...it's worth making the point that, from the bookselling coalface, those readers who liked 'Wolf Hall' have loved it with a passion, almost to the point of obsession, and on their behalf thank you for writing it!Mark Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17099767231368474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-77977955365066890882012-05-10T15:47:07.341+01:002012-05-10T15:47:07.341+01:00Can't wait to read the book. I am saving it fo...Can't wait to read the book. I am saving it for my holiday in July. Thanks so much Leslie and Mary for this interview, so much to think about.Catherine Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14610226884546830879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-15989819815474181542012-05-10T14:10:34.949+01:002012-05-10T14:10:34.949+01:00So much to think about here, including a wonderful...So much to think about here, including a wonderful insight into why the character of Thomas reads so compellingly. Looking forward to reading through this post again - and of course reading the book itself.<br /><br />Many thanks to Hilary and to Leslie and Mary.Penny Dolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16386668303428008498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-13059967176470988432012-05-10T12:38:03.278+01:002012-05-10T12:38:03.278+01:00A fascinating interview. Many thanks.A fascinating interview. Many thanks.Frances Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04844654551121374440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-39827353041988726172012-05-10T12:18:14.999+01:002012-05-10T12:18:14.999+01:00I know it's in her memoir, Giving Up the Ghost...I know it's in her memoir, Giving Up the Ghost.Leslie Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105465949970430998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-79103444650834801202012-05-10T12:02:21.390+01:002012-05-10T12:02:21.390+01:00Fascinated by mention of the 'Devil in the Gar...Fascinated by mention of the 'Devil in the Garden' incident, I went to this clip of the Culture Show. She gives some great soundbytes! E.g. “Eat meat, drink blood & give up your own social life.” http://bbc.in/oAUtNe Still looking for an account of that memorable childhood experience.Caroline Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07249424644829463560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-3992160410313552142012-05-10T11:24:03.752+01:002012-05-10T11:24:03.752+01:00Thank you Hilary, and Leslie, and Mary - this is a...Thank you Hilary, and Leslie, and Mary - this is a wonderful interview. I have been an ardent fan of Hilary's books for many years and have never cared so desperately about a Booker Prize as I did in 2009! I cannot wait to begin reading 'Bring Up the Bodies' and I shall be returning to this interview again and again to savour its details.H.M. Castorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08716936870601385683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-10724136823695696012012-05-10T10:54:33.865+01:002012-05-10T10:54:33.865+01:00My heart is positively pounding with anticipation ...My heart is positively pounding with anticipation after reading this. Can't wait to get struck into the book.M Louise Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165271083632185438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-39636945366198744812012-05-10T10:49:15.482+01:002012-05-10T10:49:15.482+01:00I have little to add but gratitude. Thank you for ...I have little to add but gratitude. Thank you for this - so much depth and truth.K.M.Lockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07540392557430776265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-61536292023084283272012-05-10T09:56:37.693+01:002012-05-10T09:56:37.693+01:00Thank you so much, Hilary, for making time for thi...Thank you so much, Hilary, for making time for this blog when there must currently be so many urgent demands on your time. Your answers are full of insights that will enrich the reading of BRING UP THE BODIES. One thing, in particular, that strikes me about your writing process is the intense relationship you seem to develop with your characters. I loved what you said (when interviewed by the British Library) about the benefits of writing about a strong and healthy character - the seemingly positive physical effect it had on your own health. And here, again, you mention that you are attracted to "the nerve and the willpower, the diligence and the self-belief, the optimism and bounce" of Thomas Cromwell - or at least your construction of him. I suspect that saying goodbye to Cromwell will be a hard thing- it certainly will be for your avid readers. While I am sorry that you found writing the narrative leading to Anne's death so testing, I am certain that the rest of us will reap the rewards of your passionate approach to your craft. Thanks, too, Leslie and Mary, for your excellent questions.Linda B-Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01599899073420595717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-81186189823103507342012-05-10T09:48:00.782+01:002012-05-10T09:48:00.782+01:00This is a MARVELLOUS piece and I'm so grateful...This is a MARVELLOUS piece and I'm so grateful to you, Leslie and to Hilary M herself of course. I kept wanting to underline things.....brilliant stuff.adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15826710558292792068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-3069761382935421182012-05-10T09:35:15.557+01:002012-05-10T09:35:15.557+01:00What a fabulous, thoughtful interview! Thankyou!What a fabulous, thoughtful interview! Thankyou!Katherine Langrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529700103932422873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-34075731885749363862012-05-10T09:13:37.161+01:002012-05-10T09:13:37.161+01:00The new book IS indeed just as enthralling as this...The new book IS indeed just as enthralling as this interview, Linda, and I was thinking the same thing myself. I was lucky enough to have the proof, but now I think I shall re-read it. I'm with you, Katie, a good book is worth re-reading. Hilary is such a fantastic storyteller that you have to keep restraining yourself from galloping ahead, in order to appreciate all the other things that are in there.<br />ps. T'was me who deleted the last comment, so I could add the bit about re-reading..Leslie Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105465949970430998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-53955389275378493022012-05-10T09:11:36.773+01:002012-05-10T09:11:36.773+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Leslie Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15105465949970430998noreply@blogger.com