There is not much to say about Bring Up The Bodies that I did not already mention in my Wolf Hall review, except to say that this follow-up is superior in every way. In this tighter volume, Mantel succeeded in packing in an abundance of literary gold, gripping scenes, and intriguing history.
As impressive as Mantel’s writing was in Wolf Hall, Bring Up The Bodies really takes things to another level, particularly in how successfully Mantel brought vignettes to life almost as though they were scenes from a stage play. Some of these scenes, such as Henry VIII drunkenly passing out at the table in the middle of dinner are absurd, and yet are packed with comedy and characterization. Others, such as Cromwell’s conversation with Katherine of Aragon shortly before her death are incredibly sharp and tense. And of course, Cromwell’s conversations with Anne Boleyn’s accusers are rich with irony, tragedy, and scandal.
Stylistically, I also enjoyed this book more than its predecessor. I am unsure whether that has more to do with having spent more time getting used to Mantel’s style and this historical setting, or whether Mantel and her editors went a little easier on the audience this time. It seems to me that Bring Up The Bodies is slightly more user friendly than Wolf Hall, but without diminishing Mantel’s literary power.
Finally, I also appreciate that while Mantel’s Wolf Hall novels comprise a trilogy, they each seem to function well (thus far at least) as stand-alone projects. I think Bring Up The Bodies may benefit most from this, for despite being the middle volume of the trilogy, it benefits from having the shortest page count, a brisker pace than its predecessor, and all of the infamous historical drama that surrounds the iconic fall of Anne Boleyn.
If you liked Wolf Hall but are undecided on whether to continue, I strongly recommend Bring Up The Bodies. It definitely provides more pay-off whereas Wolf Hall was heavy on set-up. I am curious to see how the final book in the trilogy fits alongside what came before. The 700+ pages are daunting, but at this point I trust Mantel to deliver an enriching literary experience, even if it takes a bit more effort and time to digest than the average novel.
The Once and Future Lit 