Bring Up the Bodies facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Hilary Mantel |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Simon Vance |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Thomas Cromwell trilogy |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | Fourth Estate (UK) Henry Holt and Co. (US) |
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Publication date
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8 May 2012 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 432 |
| ISBN | 978-0805090031 |
| OCLC | 773667451 |
| 823.92 | |
| LC Class | PR6063.A438 B75 2012 |
| Preceded by | Wolf Hall (2009) |
| Followed by | The Mirror and the Light (2020) |
Bring Up the Bodies is a historical novel written by Hilary Mantel. It's the second book in a series about Thomas Cromwell, a very powerful minister who worked for King Henry VIII of England. The story shows how Cromwell became important and then how he eventually fell from power. This book won two big awards in 2012: the 2012 Man Booker Prize and the Costa Book of the Year. The final book in the series, The Mirror and the Light, came out in 2020.
Contents
The Story of the Book
Bring Up the Bodies continues right after the first book, Wolf Hall. King Henry VIII and Cromwell are visiting the Seymour family at their home, Wolf Hall. Cromwell is now a very important advisor to the King.
King Henry's New Love
The King starts spending time with Jane Seymour. He begins to fall in love with her. His marriage to the current queen, Anne Boleyn, is often difficult. They have many arguments. King Henry tells Cromwell that he is tired of Anne. She has not given him a son, and he wants his marriage to her to end. Cromwell promises to make this happen.
Cromwell's Plan
Cromwell is good at making deals. He tries to arrange a separation through Anne's father, Wiltshire, and her brother, Rochford. Wiltshire is open to talking, but Rochford is not. Rochford even threatens Cromwell.
Cromwell then speaks to people close to Anne. He starts hearing rumors that Anne has been disloyal to the King. A musician named Mark Smeaton and Anne's sister-in-law, Lady Rochford, share these rumors. Cromwell begins to gather information.
The Downfall of Anne Boleyn
With enough information, the King decides to have Anne put on trial. He wants to end his marriage to her at any cost. Cromwell also sees this as a chance to deal with people who had caused trouble for his old mentor, Cardinal Wolsey. Even though Cromwell isn't sure all the accusations are true, he has gone too far to turn back. His own survival depends on finishing the task.
In the end, Anne and several people close to her, including her brother, are put on trial and then put to death. The King then marries Jane Seymour. Cromwell is rewarded for his help with a special title. With the King's new marriage arranged and the new Queen's family as his friends, Cromwell's position as the King's main advisor is now very strong.
About the Book's Release
Bring Up the Bodies was released in May 2012. It was published by Harper Collins in the United Kingdom and by Henry Holt and Co. in the United States. The book received many good reviews from critics.
Plays and TV Shows
In 2013, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) announced they would create plays based on Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.
A six-part TV series called Wolf Hall was also made. It was based on both books. The show starred Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and Jonathan Pryce. It was shown in the UK in January 2015 and in the United States in April 2015.
Awards the Book Won
- 2012 Man Booker Prize, winner
- 2012 Specsavers National Book Awards "UK Author of the Year"
- 2012 Costa Book Awards (Novel), winner
- 2012 Costa Book Awards (Book of the Year), winner
- 2012 Salon What To Read Awards
- 2013 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, shortlisted
See also
In Spanish: Una reina en el estrado para niños
