(Drivebycuriosity) - Henry VIII and his six wives are so famous that they almost became a cliché. Hilary Mantel´s "Wolf Hall" trilogy is set at Henry´s court, but focuses on Thomas Cromwell, the monarchs right hand.
"Bringing up the Bodies" is the second volume ( amazon). While book I focused on the scheming around the rise of Anne Boleyn, who displaced Catherine of Aragon, Henry`s first wive, the 2nd volume focuses on the scheming around her decline, leading to her execution.
As in vol. I Mantel imagines the sheer endless dialogues between Cromwell, Henry, Anne, her family members, the Spanish ambassador (Anne`s adversary) and many other more or less important persons. These conversations are sharp, witty, entertaining and plausible. And I enjoyed Mantel´s atmospheric descriptions of London; Henry´s court and everyday life in England.
I am looking forward to read book III, even though the plot may be sad.
PS On top of this post I use an image that does not show instead it depicts the execution of Jane Grey , another queen who got executed in 17th century England, not by Henry but by his daughter Mary.
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