Hilary Mantel
A celebrated British author known for her historical fiction, particularly the Wolf Hall trilogy, which vividly reimagines the life of Thomas Cromwell. Mantel's meticulous research, psychological depth, and sharp prose bring historical figures to life with remarkable nuance and complexity. Her insightful exploration of power, ambition, and the individual within historical forces has earned her numerous accolades and a significant place in contemporary literature.
England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?
Bring Up the Bodies is the second novel in Hilary Mantel's acclaimed historical fiction trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, set during the reign of Henry VIII. This installment follows Cromwell's intricate maneuvering to secure Anne Boleyn's downfall and Thomas More's execution, offering a compelling and nuanced portrayal of power, politics, and personal ambition.