I read most of this book last year, but just finished it this morning. I had mixed feelings about the other two books in this trilogy but enjoyed this book more.
The Mirror & the Light begins literally seconds after the execution of Anne Boleyn and ends as Thomas Cromwell is executed.
Despite her death at the opening, Anne's presence is felt throughout this novel. At one point, while reading verses about the men convicted of adultery with Anne, Cromwell's nephew remarks, "You see there is no mention of the lady." Cromwell thinks that none is needed: "Anne is always in the room." I felt the same way.
I was intrigued by a description of Edward IV, Henry VIII's grandfather.
"...King Edward grew soft in middle age, his eye always rolling in the direction of any woman at court, wife or maid under the age of thirty. He lolled on a daybed with supple flesh, while his own brothers plotted against him..."
While many assume Henry was a lusty playboy, he more like a choir boy compared to some of the other royals. His appetites for good food and drink didn't decrease--think of Henry's popular image of a fat man lustily eating a large turkey leg.
I think about Edward's decision to marry Elizabeth Woodville and how that threatened his reign, and compare that to Henry's obsession with Anne Boleyn and all that he was willing to risk to marry her. Of course, I knew Edward was Henry's grandfather but I never really thought of their similarities.
No comments:
Post a Comment