I have been waiting years for the final book in Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy. I loved the previous books – Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies. Unfortunately, by the time the last book was released, we were in full lockdown mode, and I had developed the attention span of a toddler. So, I kept this massive chunkster on hold until I was in a better state of mind to appreciate it.
About the Book
The final book in the Cromwell trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, completes Cromwell’s journey from a self-made man to one of the most feared, influential figures.
After Anne Boleyn’s death, Cromwell is at the peak of his power. But as fortune’s wheel turns, his enemies gather in the shadows. The inevitable question remains: how long can anyone survive under Henry’s cruel and capricious gaze?
My Review
I “ll be open here; this book, at times, was a test of my patience. Slower and more contemplative than Bring up the Bodies, I found myself mystified by how Mantel focused so much on Cromwell’s relationship with his illegitimate daughter (who may or may not be confirmed) and his friends – Richard and Rafe. Additionally, a lot of time is spent in his inner world and thoughts and reflections on the past, which slow the story’s pace.
Still, his insights are beautiful and ultimately honest.
This is what life does for you in the end; it arranges a fight you can’t win.
However, what I wanted were more court intrigues and manipulations. Instead, Cromwell spent more time on work – the dissolution of the monasteries and other administrative tasks. This was probably one of the reasons for his downfall. His arrogance is also now clearly visible. Eventually, his religion and loyalty to the king clash and his carefully laid plans fall apart.
Cromwell’s downfall becomes inevitable when he tries to push the king into an arranged marriage with Anne of Cleves. His dislike of his bride is an opportunity for Cromwell’s rivals to gather against him.
Historically, Cromwell’s downfall and death are fascinating because it is so sudden and happens when he is at the peak of his power.
But I wish the book had spent more time on it. It felt like the book was rushing through events (odd in a book that is 800+ pages long). Later, I realized that as the book is so much from Cromwell’s POV when it surprises him, it surprises us as well.
Overall, it was a good book primarily because of the writing, but it wasn’t as good as the first two books.
Now, I await the final season of the Wolf Hall show. I enjoyed it and hope they continue to cover this last book.
I loved the first two books in the trilogy, have read them through twice. The Mirror and the Light was, sadly, hard work by comparison. The prose is exquisitely crafted but the story is just too long, the plot has too many diversions and backwaters in which the reader can get bored.
While I enjoyed it I don’t know if I could do another read-through for quite some time.
Hilary, or her publisher, really ought to take an axe to the text and edit it down to a more digestible size. Even so, it is a must-read at least once, if you liked the first two books.
Yes, it was. I thought the middle portion was very dull (well-written but dull), and there was a strange distance between him and all the happenings at court. Very odd. Still very readable though, although not as good as expected.
I also got this book ages ago, but it’s been intimidating me with its sheer doorstop size ever since. I really need to get stuck into it, since I adored the first two novels.
Yes, it is a chunkster, but I found it pretty easy to get through, especially since I am now used to the writing style.
I bought this book when it was first published, but like you, I couldn’t concentrate when the lockdown started. I’m hoping to try it again soon!
It’s a very fitting end to the trilogy. You should get to it.