59 pages 1 hour read

Hilary Mantel

The Mirror and the Light

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Mirror and the Light follows Thomas Cromwell as he navigates the tumultuous political landscape following the execution of Anne Boleyn, grappling with treacherous court politics, rebellion, and King Henry VIII's fluctuating affections and health. Amidst power struggles and a fragile succession, Cromwell's loyalty and ambition lead to his ultimate downfall and execution. Depicts graphic executions and violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

In Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light, reviewers praise her masterful prose and detailed historical research, seamlessly concluding the Thomas Cromwell trilogy. The dense narrative and slow pacing, however, receive mixed reactions. While some find these elements enrich the story, others feel they impede the novel's momentum. A fitting end to a celebrated series.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Mirror and the Light?

Readers who enjoy richly detailed historical fiction with complex characters will love The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. Fans of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies will appreciate this concluding book in the Thomas Cromwell trilogy, reminiscent of the depth found in works like A Place of Greater Safety.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

British Literature

Period

Elizabethan Era

Themes

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Topics

History: European

History: World