Bring Up the Bodies

By: Hilary Mantel

Narrated by: Simon Vance

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

Brilliant, Again!

After I finished reading Wolf Hall I had to deliberately stop myself from simply reading this sequel. Perhaps that was a bit indulgent, but it did mean that I was looking forward to this with great anticipation - all positive. I guess I was a bit disappointed when I began to listen.
In part it was because Simon Vance was different in his reading of Cromwell. Henry's voice too had changed. Queen Anne's accent had changed. What was going on? Vance is better than that, I thought. I can be a bit slow sometimes. Then it dawned on me! Of course the voices were different. The characters were different, so why wouldn't the voices be different.
This is a different Cromwell from the one of humble beginnings as a blacksmith's son and then climbing the greasy power pole. Here, he is almost atop of the pole; at the height of his persuasive powers. Mocking Machiavelli as an amateur, avenging his patron and mentor's tormentors; reaping the ultimate revenge on each of the "four paws"and repaying the Queen's jealous dismissal of him in cold,calculating steel. Here is a man, a lawyer, a statesman to be reckoned with. And with that reckoning comes a new surety. He is starting to sound a bit more like Thomas More. He is behaving a bit more like a king. The stage is set now for the ultimate confrontation - king against king-maker. I really can't wait for the final chapter.
I loved the subtlety of this book. Maybe I'm reading too much into it and the change of voice. Maybe it is just a good yarn. But I don't think so. It's much, much better than that. In my opinion, a deserved second time winner of the Man-Booker. Readers of great books should not be disappointed.

At the royal court of Henry VIII

Where does Bring Up the Bodies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A beautifully written evocation of life, politics and intrigue in the court of King Henry VIII as Anne Boleyn falls out of royal favour. A worthy Booker prize winner.

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

A more in-depth look at a particular passage of time from Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.

Which scene was your favorite?

The slow build-up to Anne's execution as she waits in the tower will live in my memory

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

Thomas Cromwell, consummate politician

Literary classic of Tutor England

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

Beautifully scripted book.Great Listending

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

Most memorable is Cromwell's recall of Christmas with his daughters who have since died.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Undoubtedly Cromwell and his struggle to stay afloat in a society where betrayal and greed rules and the Kings word is absolute.

Any additional comments?

A really great classic. Hilary Mantel's second classic which surpasses the first.

Better than Wolf Hall !

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

Exquisite Historical Novel

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

Cromwell is a deep, rich and complex character, beautifully scripted by Mantle

Any additional comments?

I read Wolf Hall but listened to Bring up the bodies. Much to my surprise, I preferred the listening ! The 'voices' attached to the characters seemed more colourful than those I had created in my own head, and the delightful use of the .......pause.....to give weight to Cromwell's real meaning was a great touch. Was totally caught up in the intrigue of Henry VIII court.

Thomas Cromwell serving the court of Henry VIII

Very well written, great story. The characters are well developed and believable.
The story picks up from where wolf hall ends, so it is worth reading both in sequence to enjoy the context.
However, by the end of the book I was ready for something lighter.
I would have liked the book to end with a final note on how life ended for Thomas Cromwell and his family but I guess that will likely be the next book.
Rich in detail and imagery, a good historical hit.
Enjoy!

Read Wolf Hall, listened to Bring Up the Bodies

Would you consider the audio edition of Bring Up the Bodies to be better than the print version?

Both books were excellent. I whipped through Bring Up the Bodies without listening to any of my usual podcasts (which is saying a lot!)

What did you like best about this story?

The human and political intrigue was gripping throughout.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

I loved the dry assuredness of the narrator!

An enthralling look at history

Most people know Henry VIII had six wives and most have heard of Ann Boleyn, but this book brings the circumstances of those times to life. Through the eyes of a Thomas Cromwell Henry’s most loyal subject. It was appalling yet believable and also incredibly sad. The reading by Simon Vance was spine chilling in parts, sympathetic in others. I felt like I had been taken back five hundred years to walk in the footsteps of a group of incredibly manipulating people. None of whom really got what they thought they wanted.

Superb historical novel

Would you consider the audio edition of Bring Up the Bodies to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version, but Simon Vance's delivery surely makes the words come alive.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Apart from Cromwell, the development of Jane Seymour and the decline of Anne Boleyn made them both flesh and blood characters rather than historical personages.

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.