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.
This historical trilogy—Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light—traces the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to King Henry VIII. Told with psychological nuance and lush detail, the series reimagines Tudor politics through Cromwell’s pragmatic and cunning perspective. Mantel’s portrayal of power, ambition, and human frailty won her two Booker Prizes and redefined historical fiction. The Wolf Hall Trilogy is both a gripping political drama and a literary masterpiece of character and atmosphere.
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.
Series: The Wolf Hall Trilogy (#1)
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?
Set during the siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s, 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' by Steven Galloway is a poignant exploration of life under siege. The novel interweaves the lives of three characters—Dragan, Kenan, and Arrow—each struggling to preserve their humanity amidst the chaos of war. Their stories orbit around the figure of a cellist, who plays Albinoni's Adagio in the streets to commemorate the lives lost to a mortar attack. Galloway deftly captures the resilience of the human spirit, the impact of art in times of despair, and the simple acts of courage that shine through the shadows of conflict. The book's haunting prose and meditative tone create an indelible reflection on the moral choices faced in brutal circumstances.
In this lyrical retelling of Greek mythology, the awkward young prince Patroclus falls in love with the legendary warrior Achilles. As they grow from boys to men, their bond is tested by fate, war, and the gods themselves. Set against the backdrop of the Trojan War, the novel explores themes of love, honor, and the cost of greatness.
by Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate's 'Before We Were Yours' is a poignant and gripping tale that delves into one of America's most heartbreaking real-life scandals. Set in two timelines, it juxtaposes the 1939 story of the Foss siblings, torn apart by an orphanage that sold poor children to wealthy families, with a modern-day investigation led by Avery Stafford, who is drawn into her family's hidden past. The novel skillfully explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the pursuit of justice. Wingate's rich character development and emotive storytelling result in a powerful narrative that captivates readers, prompting reflection on the resilience of the human spirit.
A harrowing expose of the American meatpacking industry in the early 20th century, The Jungle follows immigrant worker Jurgis Rudkus as he endures exploitation, poverty, and tragedy. Intended to highlight workers’ rights, it shocked readers with its depiction of unsanitary conditions, leading to major food safety reforms. Sinclair’s powerful, muckraking novel remains a classic of social criticism and a landmark in investigative literature.