Hilary Mantel takes Cromwell down

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Mantel’s final instalment arrives - 9th March 2020

Writer Dame Hilary Mantel’s new book went on sale last week. ‘The Mirror and the Light’ is the third and final part of her books that focus on Thomas Cromwell, who was King Henry VIII’s chief advisor.

Cromwell was born in 1485. His family was poor. Cromwell grew into a powerful man. He was England’s most powerful man for 10 years. He killed many of his enemies. In 1540, the king ordered his death.

The first two books, ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘Bring Up the Bodies’, contain famous events: Henry VIII’s problems with Rome and his marriage to Anne Boleyn. The new book contains less well-known events. Mantel shows us Cromwell’s cruel and worried mind.

Hilary Mantel is one of England’s best writers. She won the Booker Prize for ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘Bringing Up the Bodies’. The prize is for the best book from the UK every year. Mantel is expected to win the prize for a record third time.