What a great reading -Lovingly dearMe

I learned two facts, assuming they are historically accurate, from this story. (1) A masque, celebrating the fall of Wolsey, Cromwell's mentor, featured the Cardinal's effigy carried to the trash. The sheet on which the pantomime corpse rested was held by four individuals, and those same four were subsequently tortured and executed for dallying with Queen Ann, the prosecution under the authority of that same Cromwell. Utterly remarkable, if true. (2) Although all the testimony against the queen related to infidelity, that was never a capital offense; it was merely used to discredit her. The legality was covered by some charge of her reportedly speculating on the death of the king. Historical fiction is like a choice conversation with a knowing associate; history itself is too much the pageant.

An earlier comment says the family trees at the beginning of the book are illegible. That problem seems to have been corrected.

Even though one may not be able to recall allegiances and royal lineages covered during this stage of the 'war among cousins' - the author made sure her audience was treated to an enormous story with enough depth to keep us awake through the night....praying all ends well for Jacquetta Woodville and her family, but knowing Countess Rivers life was hard and wrought with so much loss that most modern day women would fail to survive!

I loved "Wolf Hall" and so pre-ordered this book. Never again without a sample - it was like trying to read in a foreign language. The dialogue is tortured, the story so encumbered by the dialogue that I literally found it unreadable.

Wonderful book and truly excellent narration brought it to life. I will seek out this narrator for other audio books.

This is a great historical novel, one of the best. Along with Wolf Hall, Mantel has expertly evoked the drama and politics of Henry VIII's reign. I was truly sorry to finish the book. Can't wait to read the final volume.

After years of reading many, many books on the Tudors I have to say that this book is just ok. No better, no worse. It is not captivating. It is hard to keep up with what character is currently in the main role and offers little of the excitement the Tudors are known for. The story line progresses at a snails pace, but manages to continue on.

Luminous; breathtaking story-telling, and even better than the first part of the trilogy. I loved it!!

I really enjoyed "Wolf Hall" and was looking forward to reading this book. However, it's written in such a different style that I'd be hard pressed to believe that the author is the same one. The dialogue is difficult at best to follow, or to determine at times who is speaking. Characters are referred to by more than one name which also makes for confusion. I have read many books about the Tudors. I gave up on this one after reading only half, hoping that things would get better. They did not. Would not recommend this at all.