Bring Up the Bodies

By: Hilary Mantel

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 14 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Costa Book of the Year, 2012

UK Author of the Year - Specsavers National Book Awards, 2012

Man Booker Prize, Fiction, 2012

By 1535 Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son, is far from his humble origins. Chief Minister to Henry VIII, his fortunes have risen with those of Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife, for whose sake Henry has broken with Rome and created his own church.

In Bring Up the Bodies, Hilary Mantel explores one of the most mystifying and frightening episodes in English history: the destruction of Anne Boleyn. This new novel is an audacious vision of Tudor England that sheds its light on the modern world.

©2012 Tertius Enterprises (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Excellent

Lyrical, absorbing, genius. Hillary Mantel has no equal when it comes to historical fiction. Her use of language is masterly in creating the inner life of Thomas Cronwell.

Who am I to criticise?

Would you listen to Bring Up the Bodies again? Why?

I would most definitely listen to this book again. It was clearly written to be read silently, but both this, the 2nd in the trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, and 'Wolf Hall', the 1st book of the trilogy, are excellent when read aloud.A good narrator, and in this instance I refer to Simon Vance, brings the characters alive in your ears. I expect to listen to this book many times again.The prose is magnificent. Written mainly in the present tense, it is vivid and living. I found myself understanding the choices and foibles of Thomas Cromwell, sympathising with Anne Boleyn who is far from a sympathetic character, and wishing Bluff King Hal had more balls!!Mantel's gift for bringing her characters to life, especially given that there has been much written on the main characters in 'Bring Up the Bodies', is very, very good.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the immediacy of the narrative. I was swept along in the events of the era and the decisions made and the atrocities committed, just as if I were a member of the Royal Court surrounding Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel has chosen to use dialogue a great deal of the time. Long descriptive passages are kept to a minimum and as a reader I was right there, watching and listening.These events of Tudor history are so well known that it is easy to forget the drama and anxiety that Henry would have felt knowing that he was aging and had no son to inherit his throne. Henry could not know that the greatest of his children would be his younger daughter. Indeed he could not imagine a woman reigning in her own right. He HAD to find a legal wife who would bear him at least ONE living son.I guess Henry was also driven by his own carnal needs and lusts. Anne Boleyn certainly had it all over him for years.So it is the way in which Mantel has been able to show me, her reader, how desperate Henry felt about the circumstances in which he found himself without legitimate male issue, that has drawn me to this trilogy of books.

Which scene was your favorite?

As the book closes, Anne is beheaded and Thomas Cromwell realises that he must move on to befriend Jane Seymour. He realises that Henry will want to visit Wolf Hall, the seat of the Seymours sooner rather than later.The last Queen is dead. Let her lie. Forget her, forget she ever was. Move swiftly to the new Queen and get ready for a new marriage, for new possibilities, for a son, please God. Clear the way for His Majesty, make it easy and discreet for him to find his new love and to wed her.The pragmatism of Thomas Cromwell is so well demonstrated.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Anne Boleyn realises that there is no option but her death for Henry and thus the Tudor line. She will not be allowed to live out her life discreetly in a convent. The only way that Henry can be certain that his next marriage is legal in the eyes of God and men - is for his current wife to be dead.Anne has no power left.

Any additional comments?

So who am I to criticise the 2012 Man Booker prize winner? A delighted reader who has enjoyed every one of the many minutes it took to read the story to me. Whenever I look at my freshly painted bathroom walls, I think of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Catharine of Aragon (more so in 'Wolf Hall') and the other sundry players in this wonderful book!

Wish I hadn't read this yet! A treat!

If you could sum up Bring Up the Bodies in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant. Just an excellent story and what's more, it actually happened.

What other book might you compare Bring Up the Bodies to and why?

Read the other one too - just as good.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

The accents, the intonation and the style were excellent.

Who was the most memorable character of Bring Up the Bodies and why?

Henry of course!

Any additional comments?

A must read for anyone who loves a good story.

Fabulous book

What made the experience of listening to Bring Up the Bodies the most enjoyable?

The content is historically fascinating and the author's writing very evocative. The reader was also excellent. Couldn't take off my earphones!!

as if experiencing th historical events first-hand

beautiful words beautifly spoken, interesting story, historicly educational, very enjoyable, would like to hear the continuation

Great book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, factually interesting - want to keep reading, sorry it ended. Will read more Mantel books.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

What an introduction to Audible.com

Would you listen to Bring Up the Bodies again? Why?

Yes, so beautifully written and exquisitely narrated. A very hard act to follow.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bring Up the Bodies?

Anne at the tower

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes in which Cromwell gathers "evidence" of Anne's betrayals.

Who was the most memorable character of Bring Up the Bodies and why?

Cromwell, naturally

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this again and again. Simon Vance truly does Hilary Mantel justice. It took my breath away.

STUNNING

What did you love best about Bring Up the Bodies?

Removed me from the 21st century and dumped me in the 16th using brilliant characterisation and imagery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bring Up the Bodies?

Enthralling all the way through

Which scene was your favorite?

Insightful exploration all the way though.

Who was the most memorable character of Bring Up the Bodies and why?

Major and minor characters are both fascinating.

Any additional comments?

Loved "Wolf Hall" but this sequel is even more enthralling. Dreaded ending the experience. Once finished, I played it all over again. Hilary Mantel's talent is frightening. The narrator, Simon Vance, absolutely nails it. His Henry VIII makes me feel I know him ........which is a worry.

As good as the Wolf Hall

Having absolutely loved the 'Wolf Hall', I have expected this book with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and must say that it is absolutely fantastic. I love the way the story is told as perceived by Cromwell and I also loved some original twists in what has now become a very familiar tale (thanks to Philippa Gregory and 'The Tudors').

The narrator is perfect. I've enjoyed every minute of listening to this book!

History so vividly told

As in its predecessor (Wolf Hall), Mantel uses Thomas Cromwell to view the unfolding of critical history - the unravelling of the second marriage of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. In Cromwell, Mantel re-creates the most fascinating of characters - a consummate man of the world who skilfully negotiates narrow and dangerous paths along the corrupt and unsteady cliffs of the English court. A certain weariness and cynicism can be detected in Cromwell's armour in this second volume of the trilogy-to-be as the compromises of principle heap up. One can only applaud this repeat achievement of massive research presented apparently effortlessly.
The narrator was perfect for the book.