Sovereign (The Shardlake series, 3)

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A. Sadly I think all religions go through periods of expansionist, fundamentalist brutality and this age is one when currents of dangerous fundamentalism seem to be expanding in all religions—Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and not least Christianity. In Tudor times the conflict was between religious factions. Today it is between those who believe in an absolutist interpretation of the scriptures of the various religions and those who do not. We all know what it’s like to anticipate something so much that we are literally shaking with excitement. Shardlake had similar feelings about meeting his king; he couldn’t wait to behold the presence of King Henry VIII. Except when that moment finally comes it almost breaks Shardlake in two. Even if heart-pounding suspense and stomach-tightening tension were all Sansom's writing brought to the table, few would feel short-changed. Added to these gifts is a superb approximation of the crucible of fear, treachery and mistrust that was Tudor England, and a memorably blood-swollen portrait of the ogreish Henry's inhumane kingship. A parchment-turner, and a regal one at that. * Sunday Times * I can't say I ever looked at King Henry VIII as a likeable figure, but I've come to despise him. Over the course of three Shardlake books, he's solidified in my mind as a rather vile and detestable man; the power he had was quite absurd and wildly misused. However, I would like to learn more about him at some point, though I admit his predecessors and successors interest me more. Shardlake, aided by his trusty assistant Barak, is determined to pursue his own investigations into Oldroyd's murder and the theft of the treasonous papers - as well as to discover who has been trying to kill him. Their inquiries lead them to a rough part of York, in search of information about Craike.

The BBC have commissioned an adaptation of Dissolution with the actor Kenneth Branagh set to star as Shardlake. The rest of the Shardlake books are expected to follow. C. J. Sansom has been consulted on the series, which is in the final stages of negotiation.[citation needed]. Following on from Dissolution and Dark Fire, Sovereign is the third gripping historical novel in C. J. Sansom's number one bestselling Shardlake series, for fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory.This is an atmospheric thriller where velvet and silk hide putrescence, and beyond the grandeur of a Court lies a world where people rot alive or choke in deep mud. Sansom does a nice line in irony and savage humour, as well as the simple affections which keep people going in nightmarish times. -- Roz Kaveney * Time Out Book of the Week * In The Independent, Amanda Craig praised the novel, likening the quality of the series to the detective fiction by P. D. James, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin and Minette Walters. She praised its "vigorous, well-drawn characters" and "impressive historical research". [1] Duffy, Stella (6 November 2004). "A wherry across the Thames: A review of Dark Fire". The Guardian. UK. Corre el año 1541 y la dinastía Tudor en manos de Enrique VIII se tambalea. Tras la caída de Thomas Cromwell el ímpetu de partido reformista se ha atenuado y corren las cabezas y las tripas tanto de papistas como de reformistas exaltados, sin embargo al rey se le presenta un problema interno importante y de difícil solución. Sansom exhibits a multifarious skill. Not only can he write well and build a believable world, he also knows how to incorporate his research into his books so that it does not feel like research.

Very long, immensely detailed with the physical, mental, spiritual of that Henry VIII on his 5th wife (Catherine Howard) period. Shardlake is sent on an extremely dangerous mission. And he cannot say no. Craig, Amanda (20 August 2006). "Sovereign by C J Sansom". The Independent . Retrieved 13 October 2023.I find I also have to forgive some glaring anachronisms in dialogue. I don’t know how I get past them, but I do, and I remain just as immersed in the story as before the jolt of a modern phrase (e.g. “the penny has dropped” – from the 1930s). The rest rings so true that it compensates for any lapses. It does mean I rounded down to 4 stars instead of up to 5, though.