Good book, poor narrator

I enjoyed this book, even though I did find the use of 'he' to refer to Cromwell a little grating at times. However, I have to say that the narration really put me off - the lack of difference in voices stopped the dialogue really coming alive for me, as there seem to be only three types - gruff, lordly, and simpering, with almost no difference in accents. Also, the reader's inability to pronounce several simple words, like 'secretary', snags in the ear and stops you from being able to enjoy the story. He sounded half-asleep at some points, which doesn't help the reader feel engaged with the events he is narrating.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book, as Mantel brings the events, perceptions, and characters of the 16th century alive and constructs a wide-ranging narrative well - although I would perhaps recommend reading it in paper form, rather than the audiobook.

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6 people found this helpful

I struggled to get into this

I’m a fan of CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series and thought I would give this a try.

From a historical perspective it’s an interesting book and must have taken a lot of research to write which is very commendable and I did listen to it in its entirety,

I’m not sure the writing style lends itself well to an audio version and whilst I thought the narration was ok I really struggled to imagine certain parts and zoned in and out quite a bit, there’s also no real plot, it just follows the life of Thomas Cromwell (which is fine) but I found myself becoming bored with it for long periods and zoning out until something interesting happened.

Maybe I’ve missed the point, I’m not sure, I will try the sequel as I’m interested in the period but it’s certainly not an easy book to read or listen to in my opinion.

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1 person found this helpful

Best audio book EVER

Absolutely wonderful in every way.
Simon Slater is an absolutely brilliant narrator and he captures Cromwell perfectly. The pace and detail of both the story and the narration takes us way behind the history that everyone knows. You feel like you're there experiencing history as it unfolds.
This is the audio-book I share to get people in to audible, I can't praise it highly enough.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent

I loved every minute of this reading, and I'd encourage anyone who struggled with the written word to listen to this. Fascinating and vibrant...dark and sinister.

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1 person found this helpful

Deserving of the plaudits

I've just listened to this book for a second time after initially listening not long after its release. It was well worth the second outing.

The subtlety and nuance of the writing stands up to repetition and new echoes of our 'post truth' society are revealed. The depth of research is obvious without being 'obvious', whether or not you agree with Mantel's revisionist proposition.

I remember discussing the book with a highly literate friend after my first listen, I commented on how funny I found it, she was puzzled having not seen the humour. A tribute perhaps to the reader, who manages to convey more than simply the words in his understated delivery.

The characterisations in the book are slightly different, more complex perhaps, than could be conveyed in either the stage or TV adaptations. They may help however in keeping track of the many characters and their complex interrelationships.

This is a book that rewards attention, so it may be worth considering when to listen!

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1 person found this helpful

Very Very re-playable

I've listened to this at least 5 times all the way through. Simon Slater has done a great job. Especially when the book lacks so much of the signals usually needed to follow along. The scenes change rapidly, there are no "" marks. Simon Slater guides us through this very well.

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A rich tapestry of time and place

I can see where Game of Thrones gets much of its inspiration - and this stuff really happened!

The prose is effortlessly eloquent, and sometimes strides over months and years in a matter of sentences. But it soons dive in and evokes with striking imagery and poetry. Shocking descriptions of medieval torture can suddenly rear up in the narration, which are all the more potent when the expected climax is skipped over.

It's not what I'd call a page turner, the plot meandering in and out of history over its very long length; you feel you are simply sharing the lifetime of the protagonist. Thus it took me a long time of dipping in and out of it to get through (beyond just its long length). It cranks up the pace and tension towards the very end though, and the ending was pleasing, if not complete. (The story continues I believe, as this is a trilogy. I will continue, but want to take a break first to read other things.)

Special mention to Simon Slater for his excellent performance, which somehow manages to give each and every one of the huge cast of characters a unique voice. And he really captures the brutal, snideness of the age.

A novel history lesson and drama all in one. Recommended.

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Shakespeare of our day

I was totally captivated by the writing, the dialogue, the imagination in this book. Hilary Mantel is like some kind of shaman channeling these characters.
Excellent reading by Simon Slater who made all the characters very distinct from one another. He's fantastically versatile.

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Simon Slater.

Simon Slater is a genius!! Read this twice however the audio book was a revelation!! Slater does all the characters wonderfully. It must have taken hours and hours. Thanks

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Great read well done I enjoyed it for the delivery

pitch perfect for the time set the enjoyment of the setting made it come to life,

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