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The Mirror and the Light (The Wolf Hall Trilogy, Book 3)
The Mirror and the Light (The Wolf Hall Trilogy, Book 3) | Hilary Mantel
190 posts | 82 read | 4 reading | 105 to read
Shortlisted for the Womens Prize for Fiction 2020 Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2020 The long-awaited sequel to Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, the stunning conclusion to Hilary Mantels Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall trilogy.
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review
Lcsmcat
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

I put off reading this final book because Mantel made me love Cromwell and we all know how it ends. So I put it off as if my not reading it could change history. As sad as the end was, it was also redemptive in a way. Cromwell was a fascinating character who lived through incredibly dangerous times. And Mantel makes it all so relatable. Now I want equally well-written books about the other people surrounding him!

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Lcsmcat
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Enjoying a quiet evening with Thomas Cromwell.

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Lcsmcat
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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“Once the queen‘s head is severed, he walks away.”

#firstLineFridays. @ShyBookOwl

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Crystal83
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
Pickpick

I finally finished this audiobook!!! It was the longest audiobook I've ever listened to. I did enjoy the book a lot. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

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azulaco
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Listening to this audiobook little by little, dipping into the hardback when I have time. I love this series. #52bookclub2023 #meanttoreaditlastyear

Librarybelle I greatly enjoyed Wolf Hall and keep meaning to get back to the series 2y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Me, going to the bookstore to pick up the books I ordered for #BlitsySwap: "I'm not going to buy anything for myself, just picking up my order"

Also me: "oooh! Sale table!"

AllDebooks Lol, I just did the same. Came out with 3 for me. Self-imposed book ban starts tomorrow then 🙈😅 2y
dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 2y
Chelleo It‘s always so hard to stay focused when Swap shopping! 2y
64 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Just heard this incredibly devastating news, and I am heartbroken. 💔💔💔

Her Thomas Cromwell series has brought me (and countless others!) such joy. It's my favorite historical fiction trilogy and just so beautifully written. The world has lost a great writer today.

Mitch Agreed. So sudden and she had so much more to gift the world. Very sad. 2y
SamAnne Such hard news. 2y
kspenmoll I am so sad. Just started her short memoir. 2y
CarolynM 😢 2y
50 likes4 comments
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AllDebooks
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So very sad to hear the news today of Dame Hilary Mantel's death. RIP dear lady

I shall be rereading your books to treasure how good you were.

CarolynM 😢 2y
32 likes1 comment
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Tonton
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Born.A.Reader
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Library haul for this week. 📚 The spotlight book was featured in Duchess Camilla's book club last year and I finally got around to checking it out. Has anyone read it?

https://www.royal.uk/duchess-cornwalls-reading-room

CarolynM I‘m still putting it off. One day I‘ll feel strong enough. 2y
24 likes1 comment
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cariashley
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Starting this doorstop today and regret putting it off for so long. The writing is just *chef‘s kiss*. The first line: “Once the queen‘s head is severed, he walks away.”

(Also, check out the insane pollen build up on my outdoor table 😬)

DrexEdit If you can't speak the truth at a beheading, when can you? 💜 2y
jlhammar So good! Loved this trilogy. 2y
cariashley @DrexEdit love that line too!! So good! 2y
Ruthiella I loved this trilogy too! 👍 (edited) 2y
45 likes4 comments
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jlhammar
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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One of the definitions listed for dungeon is “the principal tower of a medieval castle.” In this final volume of the phenomenal Wolf Hall Trilogy, Thomas Cromwell is imprisoned at the Tower of London before his execution.

#Dungeon #SavvySettings
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty ❤️📚💙 3y
Eggs Perfect 💙🌺❤️ 3y
LindaLappin I loved this book. I also listened to a fabulous BBC 4 radio reading during the early lockdown -- it was superb. 3y
34 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DrexEdit
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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I'm late with my spinny list, but it's basically the same as last month. My #bookspin is a short story. I think it will be Eudora Welty The Death of a Traveling Salesman because I'm already a couple of pages into that one. And #Doublespin is Hilary Mantel Cromwell #3! Hallelujah!

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
35 likes1 comment
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shannasbookshelf
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Good morning, everyone!
I‘m going to take today & tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) off from posting. Today through Sunday are going to be very busy for me due to packing and trying to get some last minute visits in before I leave for DC. (I‘m heading there for an internship that‘ll last through May.) I hope to get back to posting Mon-Fri next week!

wanderinglynn Awesome! Let me know if you need any recommendations for things to do/see/eat in DC. I lived there for several years & my BFF still lives there. 3y
3 likes1 comment
review
Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant. This book, this whole trilogy really, has made me so emotional. I can't explain it...but I feel as if reading it has somehow made me a better person. ??

"If Henry is the mirror, he Cromwell, is the pale actor who sheds no lustre of his own, but spins in a reflected light. If the light moves he is gone."

"He follows the king. What can you do but, as Cicero says, live hopefully, die bravely?"

#catsoflitsy #roxas

RaeLovesToRead I'll be reading this one soon. Loved the first two! Also, kitty so cute 🥰🥰 3y
Ruthiella It makes me sad that King Henry later regretted allowing Cromwell to be executed. 😢 3y
Branwen @RaeLovesToRead Aww thank you! 😻 And I hope you love this one as much as the first two! @Ruthiella Same. 😭 It was truly heartbreaking! 3y
60 likes3 comments
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Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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A great book and two warm kittens on my lap! What a fantastic start to the week! 😻📚💕 Happy Monday!

#catsoflitsy #littenkitten #rumpel #jupiterjazz

ravenlee The very best! 3y
Leftcoastzen Awwww!😻 3y
Tamra So sweet! 3y
BookmarkTavern That‘s a perfect way to start the week! 3y
74 likes4 comments
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Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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"The duke whirls away, cursing. 'You know in the north parts they use your name to frighten children? Be quiet, they say, or we'll fetch Cromwell.'

'Do they?' he says. 'Lord Cromwell would be more polite.'

?????

One of my favorite things about this trilogy is the wit of Thomas Cromwell! ?

GingerAntics Cromwell did try to eradicate the Irish and the Scottish. He did allow men to pick up any unaccompanied child (and often women), stick them on a boat, and sail away with them. I‘m not sure how *polite* that is. 3y
Branwen @GingerAntics 😲😲😲 I didn't know that! How horrible! 3y
GingerAntics @Branwen yeah, Cromwell wasn‘t the nicest person. He saw the Scots and the Irish as less than people. He claimed even if the children had mothers, they wouldn‘t be missed. Even if the women had children, husbands, families, they wouldn‘t be missed because they didn‘t know any better. They were basically animals to Cromwell. He was not a very nice guy. That‘s Oliver Cromwell though, a bit later than “Lord Cromwell” from the play. 3y
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GingerAntics @Branwen I‘m not sure where this series is in the timeline. Your Lord Cromwell could be quite nice. 3y
Branwen @GingerAntics Holy shit, that's atrocious! 😔 3y
Branwen @GingerAntics So this trilogy is about Thomas Cromwell and basically details his rise and fall through the Henry VIII era! 3y
GingerAntics @Branwen yeah, he was a…hm…I still haven‘t found a strong enough term for him. He almost requires a swear word. Here‘s hoping your Lord Cromwell is much nicer. 3y
GingerAntics @Branwen I don‘t know that much about that Cromwell. That would certainly be before the evil Cromwell. Stick with your guy, I think. I still marvel at Oliver‘s use of terms like “Irish campaign” and “Scottish campaign.” If your guy ran afoul of H8, it‘s highly possible that he was a pretty good guy. 3y
GingerAntics I just had to look this up, and it turned out to be quite the title. Thomas is the great, great grand-uncle of the twisted “Lord Protector” king killer, baby slayer, Oliver. 3y
Branwen @GingerAntics Oh wow! Okay, well at least I feel better about liking Thomas so much! 🤣😂 He was a figure that I never knew much about before reading this trilogy other than his part in the fall of Anne Boleyn. And since I've always loved Anne, I just assumed Thomas was a turd. But these books have shown me just how deep and intricate his story is! And how he wasn't good or bad, but complex shades of gray! 3y
GingerAntics @Branwen that‘s usually historical figures, those complex, swirling shades of gray. I‘m not so sure about Oliver, though. I‘m going with he was a bad dude. Something was wrong with him. 3y
GingerAntics @Branwen maybe Oliver was upset that he was from the minor side of the family so he never got a title… so he made his own title. 3y
43 likes12 comments
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Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Finally picking this one back up after having not read it for...quite a long while! 😂 I seriously love it (and Cromwell!) so much that I hate to see it end! But I'm in for the long haul now! I'M WITH YOU TILL THE END OF THE LINE, CROMWELL! 😭💕📚 #averycromwellsummer

PS- this is a red velvet cupcake from a local bakery and I am SUPER excited about it!

Ruthiella I thought this was brilliant...but could have been a tiny bit shorter. Still, a worthy end to the trilogy. 3y
Meaw_catlady Im hungry for that cupcake ! Book looks intriguing ! 3y
BookwormM I totally felt like that even to the point of expecting history to change 🤣🤣 3y
CarolynM I'm still putting it off. Not ready for the end to come😭 3y
Branwen @Meaw_catlady The cupcake was AMAZING! 😍 @CarolynM Right?! 😭😢 @BookwormM I keep hoping Mantel will throw an alternate history plot twist in there! 😂🤣 @Ruthiella The pace is certainly really different from the first two books, ESPECIALLY the second book which to me read like a historical thriller! 😃 3y
50 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
Graywacke
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

The end of this terrific Thomas Cromwell trilogy was a slow inevitable wind-down to the 🪓. The whole books moves slow, and has a feeling in a way unlike the first two. This one was bogged down by the amount of historical detail Mantel had to cover to maintain her commitment to keep us in Cromwell's head. I do appreciate that she held up her end of that. I enjoyed it, slow and all, and I think I will like it more down the road.

Graywacke In a story of a king who had four divorces, two by execution, I have begun to see Cromwell‘s life track and execution along the lines of a another marriage and then a prolonged divorce. 3y
CarolynM I'm still putting this one off - I like Cromwell and I can't face the inevitable end😔 I really like your idea of equating the relationship to another marriage. I think that's about right. (edited) 3y
Graywacke @CarolynM That actually is kind of touching reason to hold off. It‘s a shame these power games were so lethal and ruthless, and they couldn‘t just, you know, retire in defeat or whatnot. 3y
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Lcsmcat @CarolynM I put it off for the same reason! I love her historical accuracy and yet wish the ending could have been different. 2mo
Lcsmcat You hit it with Cromwell being like a seventh wife to Henry. It was so twisted how H8 could turn on those closest to him so quickly and yet not go back the other way. Like some sick valve that was stuck on “bloodshed.” 2mo
Graywacke @Lcsmcat i had forgotten i made that comparison. You must have just read it?? Quite an experience 2mo
Lcsmcat @Graywacke Wasn‘t it? I don‘t want to leave Tudor England just yet, although I‘m glad to be there in fiction only! 2mo
Graywacke @Lcsmcat i need more Mantel. I listened a terrific biography of Cromwell 2mo
Lcsmcat @Graywacke How was his style? Because he wrote one on Thomas Cranmer too, and I‘m looking for one that readable rather than dryly academic. 2mo
Graywacke @Lcsmcat thorough. He impressed me. 2mo
45 likes10 comments
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Graywacke
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Over 700 pages. Hoping it‘s still May when I finish.

DivineDiana 🤞🏻😂📚 4y
46 likes2 comments
review
AnneCecilie
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

The 3rd book about Cromwell, is just as good as the previous ones. I read the first 2 years ago, and had forgotten how much I love her writing style and way of telling a story (even if this is a translation). I feel like the structure in this one is a little looser than for the other two, and we get more glimpses into his past. I had a feeling that something would happen, but I was just as shocked as Cromwell when it did.

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AnneCecilie
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Another combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast

I finished the tagged book and read The Queen‘s Gambit

I continued my chapter a day reading of Anne‘s House of Dreams #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and my a part a week read of Backlash #SheSaid. I will continue this over the next week. I read a chapter a day of Mansfield #PemberLittens and this will be finished next week.

I‘ve started the 9th book in Lackberg‘s crime series and will finish that.

AnneCecilie Then I want to read The Garbage King #foodandlit #Ethiopia and the 10th book in Läckberg‘s crime series #BookSpin in March 4y
63 likes1 comment
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cinder
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
Pickpick

🐐.

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mjtwo
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

27 Oct-4 Mar 2021
Finally finished this worthy end to the trilogy. Perhaps it took so long because I genuinely liked Cromwell and was avoiding his inevitable demise. There were numerous incidents along the way where I wished him to act differently- he flouted his wealth even over Henry, which was not going to end well. My parallel reading of Caste over the past week has, however, made me wonder whether his true crime was rising above his station.

CarolynM That's why I haven't started it yet. I know I have to read it some time, but I just can't face it yet😬 4y
mjtwo It really is a masterpiece @CarolynM I listened to the first two audiobooks before starting - it had been many years since I read them although I did find that I remembered more than I thought. (edited) 4y
BookwormM I had the same issue knew how it was going to end but still hoped I was wrong 🤣🤣 4y
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AnneCecilie
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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#WeeklyForecast

This week I‘m going to continue my chapter a day reading of Anne‘s House of Dreams #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and Mansfield Park #PemberLittens

I‘m going to start this month‘s book in #SheSaid by Faldo

I started the last book in the Cromwell trilogy this weekend and I hope to have it finished by the end of the week.

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CGalinor3
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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I didn't enjoy Wolf Hall, but I kept going with the trilogy because I don't give up easily. It's not a good sign that while reading The Mirror and the Light, I stopped regularly to shout OH JUST CUT OFF HIS HEAD ALREADY! I can't pan it because I only have myself to blame.

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LeslieO
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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I was just browsing the Book Outlet website and this happened. #bookmailisthebestmail #bookhaul

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CaitlinR
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

It was a long wait for the last book of the three that Mantel crafted about Thomas Cromwell. The book opens with the execution of Anne Boleyn. Throughout the novel Cromwell, in his fifties, plans for the future, but his thoughts turn increasingly to the past. He knows he is in jeopardy, but will not compromise.

More introspective than narrative. I envy those readers who will read the trilogy all at once rather than awaiting publication.

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umbrellagirl
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Starting with the third book in the series, but I think I‘m familiar enough with this cast of characters to keep up. 😉

GinaKButler This series in on my TBR this year. 📚 4y
umbrellagirl @GinaKButler if they are all as chunky as this one, they will keep you busy for quite a while. Enjoy 🙂 4y
63 likes2 comments
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Ncostell
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

I am definitely going to have a book hangover after finishing this one, Mantel‘s third book in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy. She really gets into the head of this complicated man who was in the thick of the politics and intrigue of Henry VIII‘s court. I am inspired to read more about this time period after reading this, which is always a sign of a great book to me.

Cuilin One of my favorite reads of 2020! 4y
Ncostell @Cuilin I was trying to finish this before the end of the year but didn‘t make it. I think it will be one of my favorites for 2021 though! 4y
Cuilin @Ncostell I loved the whole trilogy, it was hard saying goodbye to Cromwell. 4y
See All 8 Comments
Ncostell @Cuilin I know, I stretched out the last few chapters of the book because I didn‘t want it to end. 4y
BookwormM Even knowing history I was still rooting for Cromwell and hoping the book would end differently 🤣🤣 4y
Ncostell @BookwormM I know what you mean, I felt the same way! 4y
kspenmoll Great review! 4y
Ncostell @kspenmoll Thanks! I loved this trilogy. They were not easy reads but definitely worth the effort. 4y
69 likes8 comments
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Colleenolivia
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
Mehso-so

It‘s interesting, but a slower read for me at the end of the day. I enjoy it, but need to adjust when I‘m reading it in order to stay awake.

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Simona
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

No surprises here ... as in the previous works the prose and the content are dense, rich and picturesque. Just perfect conclusion to the trilogy. Don‘t be intimidated by its length, be brave, raise your head and read it 😘

48 likes1 stack add
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Simona
The Mirror & the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Wild Friday night 🤪 ... food and book is all I need to feel fine. Enjoy your weekend 😘

Cuilin Great book!! ❤️ 4y
maich I agree with you❤ 4y
Simona @Cuilin It‘s, definitely one of the favourite of this year. 4y
Simona @maich Male stvari naredijo življenje veliko😘 4y
maich @Simona Res je tako❤ 4y
64 likes5 comments
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Tonton
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel

Best books of 2020 link: contains links within it for best books by genre as well. Great for gift ideas for loved ones, including your self! https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/28/best-books-of-2020?CMP=Share_iOSAp...

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DyAnne
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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“Once the queen‘s head is severed, he walks away.”
Now, there‘s an opening line.

Heideschrampf That‘s exactly what I thought!! This will be one to remember 4y
7 likes1 comment
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Tonton
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel

Critc‘s picks of 2020 so far! Checking off or adding on my list...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/14/the-best-books-childrens-poetry-au...

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Andrea313
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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shaynarae
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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How do people with dogs get so much reading done? I‘m adjusting to dog life, but my reading has noticeably declined as the dog has taken more of my attention. 8 books this month:

3 🎧 audio
2 🖥 ebooks
3 📚physical books
Fiction: 6
Nonfiction/essays/memoirs: 2
BIPOC authors: 2
Female authors: 5
From my shelf: 1
#monthlywrapup #auguststats

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LibrarianChels
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Is Mantel referencing the year of our Lord 1537...or 2020? Because I think we can all totally relate to this.

Librariana Oh, 2020 FOR SURE! 4y
LibrarianChels @Librariana I‘ve had this thought many times over the course of the 461 pages I‘ve read so far. Lots of social distancing to avoid disease outbreaks. Lots of rumors spreading. Some uprisings. Human problems are definitely cyclical. 4y
7 likes2 comments
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Jen2
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

Good ending to the series but it could have been edited down a bit. I was skimming towards the end.

Amiable I am on page 539 of this and have been reading it for 2 months -- I agree with your assessment of editing! It wouldn't normally take me this long to read a book this size. It's good, but rather dense. 🙄 4y
Ruthiella I agree, there was a lot of circling back to the first two books that coulda gone...plus the pig boy stuff...so that‘s why he left in the first place and yes he‘s no hero...but I think we already knew that enough. Still, genius. 4y
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JennyBondBooks
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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880 pages. 60mm wide. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?

TrishB It‘s great stuff 👍🏻 4y
Heideschrampf I liked it best in the series 4y
JennyBondBooks Yeah, it‘s awesome @TrishB. I‘m thoroughly enjoying the read. It‘s a good workout, too when I have to hold it up while reading it in bed. 4y
JennyBondBooks @Heideschrampf I‘m about 1/8 of the way in and already gripped. 4y
squirrelbrain This was my favourite in the series too! 4y
4 likes5 comments
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Amiable
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Steadily making progress through this dense behemoth —with a little help from my friend. 👍🏼🐥 Trying to pretend I‘m on vacation at the beach ...

Ruthiella That duck looks like it‘s having a good time!😀 4y
Amiable @Ruthiella He has a friend—a blue dolphin, also wearing sunglasses —but that guy was floating on the opposite end of the pool. 😀 4y
LeahBergen It looks like you are reading aloud to him. 😆 4y
Amiable @LeahBergen I named him Duckie Dale. Because, you know, “Pretty in Pink.” 😀 4y
LeahBergen A favourite movie (and soundtrack)! 😆 4y
70 likes5 comments
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Branwen
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Well, it's officially August now! So that means I'm starting the final book in this wonderful trilogy! 💕📚 This truly has been a very Cromwell summer! 😎 I'm really excited to begin, but also sad to know the journey is almost over. I know how your story ends, Cromwell! I'm not ready to say goodbye! 😢💔

Leftcoastzen Wow , need to get to the second one! 4y
vivastory @Leftcoastzen I need to get to the first! 4y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory It‘s so good! You get totally immersed in their world . 4y
70 likes4 comments
review
shaynarae
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

This book was so good I didn‘t want it to end!! I had a hard time getting into Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, but I tumbled right into this one. I loved being transported to 16th century England. Mantel‘s writing made it feel so alive! I went through this book relatively slowly, but I looked forward to every opportunity to pick it up.

21 likes1 stack add
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cdreincarnate
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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Pickpick

It‘s been so long since I‘ve read the 1st 2 books in this series that I had forgotten how much I love Mantel‘s writing. My only complaint from the first book was that it was sometimes difficult to differentiate dialogue from inner thoughts, and when there was dialogue, to figure out who was speaking. This time I went for the audiobook, narrated by Ben Miles, and he did not disappoint. It definitely solved the dialogue issue to a great degree.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
The Mirror and the Light | Hilary Mantel
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July book wrap up. 23 books read.

Gissy Congratulations📚📚📚🎉👏👏👏 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Gissy Thank you. 🙂 4y
47 likes2 comments