The Light and the Mirror by Hilary Mantel.

Quick !!! Hilary Mantel is on Radio 2 talking about her book at this moment (11.35am)

If you had two copies -or, for instance Wolf Hall as well as The Mirror and the Light you could hold one in each hand and use them as part of your daily work out. ?️‍♀️

That was a really interesting interview, Sparklefizz. Graham Norton said he was very nervous about interviewing somebody so much more intelligent than himself (), but he made a good fist of it.

I've just checked on my local libraries website and found I can download the unabridged audiobook of The Light and the Mirror free for 14 days. It's nearly 40 hours long, so now is an ideal time. I can get plenty of cupboards and drawers sorted while I listen to it, perhaps a bit of gentle decorating as well....

Thanks Sparklefizz; I found the Graham Norton show on catchup and listened to it last night albeit falling asleep before the interview came on. However, Graham Norton cheers me up so much I shall listen to his show all the time from now on. I don't know why he worried about interviewing Hilary Mantel; she may have a brain the size of the universe but they are like minds in their individual quirkiness. I shall relisten to it again today.

The interview [finally got to it without falling asleep] was wonderful. I'm also listening to book on book at bedtime on catchup at night as I drift into a sleep. Even with the subject matter I'm finding it very calming.

Was it Ben Miles, or Miller? He played John Profumo recently.

You mean reading the book? Need to check.

Ben Miles played Profumo.

Halfway through Mirror and Light now and also obtained Wolf Hall, which I've already read but will do so again.

I've started it on my Kindle so I can read if I wake up during the night without disturbing DH.
So far it hasn't grabbed me but I'm going to read it. Hopefully it will get a bit better as I get into it. I found the previous 2 in the series much easier to get into.
Of course we all know how it is going to end anyway.

crafty cat I've just finished MATL so it's possible to do. It's hard work, though. I wouldn't call it unputdownable.

Lots happens towards the very end. Well, we know what happens, but it's very well done.

No more Crumb.

I'm reading Wolf Hall again.

I loved wolf hall and bringing up the bodies and this latest in the trilogy is pure joy. I love anything set in the Tudor court what shall I read now? Any suggestions.

I wish they would put Wolf Hall on iPlayer. I would love to watch it again.

19829chad: have you read any of Alison Weir's fiction? She's got s series about Henry's wives out at the moment.

Sparklefizz; I agree. I'd love to watch it again.

Did anyone see the dramatised version of the first two they did at Stratford on Avon? Mark Rylance played Cromwell and Hilary Mantel was very involved in it I believe. Friend and I saw it propped in the Gods on perch seats but absolutely riveting. The scenery was largely rows of gas flames which sounds odd but worked really well.

Mark Rylance would be riveting just standing in a room on his own!

Totally agree Sparklefizz. ?

I'm not sure what to make of Rylance as Cromwell, tbh. He doesn't resemble Cromwell at all physically.but still manages to convey a certain Cromwellian menace.

I find his voice mesmerising.

I adore Rylance both as an actor and his world view

I'm learning how to access podcasts whilst we're incarcerated. This is motivated by my desire to hear Anton Lessing reading the Mirror and the Light. I love being read to. I shall try to get the first two parts of this trilogy from somewhere. Audible, maybe.

Thank you oldgimmer1 I am looking on my kindle for Alison Weir if I could go back in time I would love to be in Henry’s court listening to the gossip hopefully Alison Weir will be my time machine!

Ooh I wouldn't. I imagine if I went back in time I would be there as a maidservant, and constantly watched, and asked, about the doings of my mistress. Everybody watching everybody else, and a permanent ice-cold draught on the back of my neck. Much safer to read about it from a long distance.

I've just finished it. It's a wonderful book in so many ways, with some beautiful writing and I was totally immersed in certain parts, but I did find the repetitive scenes of political meetings lost my attention, particularly in the middle sections. Not sure why, but Cromwell seemed different in this book. The ending was so moving and gripping, but I can't say I loved it as much as the previous two books.