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5 out of 5 stars
By
Aileen
on
02-16-12
Wonderful historical mystery
This audiobook was a wonderful experience. The story is absorbing and well-plotted. The characters, especially Matthew Shardlake, are beautifully drawn and believable. It is very difficult to balance historical authenticity and sympathetic characterisation. The main character's rather modern sensibilities and values are made more credible by his physical disability, which casts him as an outsider in Tudor London. For me, Sansom got it exactly right in that regard. I know nothing of the author's background, but I am convinced he is deeply knowledgeable about the period.
The setting is England during the reformation. The main character is committed to the new order and works for Cromwell. His beliefs and values are shaken by the implications of what happens in the course of the novel. I found the political and domestic intrigue very interesting and absorbing.
I loved the book, and the narrator is simply perfect. His voice, accent and characterisation all got it right. For me, it was the perfect form for the content. I love narrators who are able to suggest dialogue by opposite-sex characters without descending into parody - the deep grumble by a female narrator, or the embarrassing falsetto by the male narrator. Anton Lesser was able to give real depth and consistency to a whole raft of male, female, adult and adolescent characters.
I recommend this audiobook wholeheartedly.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By
songmyself
on
05-04-16
intersting to know
Tudor mysteries are quite fascinating enough for me to keep reading even when there are so many esoteric words. Now looking forward to second book ^^
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Customer Reviews
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5 out of 5 stars
By
Angela
on
04-12-08
An entertaining historical mystery with depth
This is a wonderful series. Matthew Shardlake is an engaging character who is sympathetic to the modern reader/listener without ever becoming an anachronism. He has many of the same worries as any modern person nudging middle age; he?s relatively successful in his career yet increasingly questions the validity of the work he does and frets about the dubious ? not to say murderous ? activities of the people for whom he works. And, poor bloke, he?s looking for love. Shardlake inhabits an unremittingly hard, pitiless world in which his ?deformity? makes him an easy target for open hostility. Is it too simplistic an interpretation to say his disability offers a device by which he can more readily empathise with the pain, if not downright torment, of so many people in cruel Henry?s crumbling kingdom? Even if it is, it is subtly handled and never becomes too obvious. Shardlake questions what is going on around him but never outside the boundaries of credibility. The historical backdrop, a world in which god and religion are wielded with total ruthlessness as weapons of control and destruction, is vivid and truly disturbing. The various historical characters aren?t caricatures and are fleshed out wonderfully. Any person who questions the degree of monitoring in 21st century Britain should thank whatever god they worship ? or not as the case may be ? that, for the majority of the population, spiritual correctness is generally not under government scrutiny. And long may that be the case! And, yes, I agree Anton Lesser makes a perfect Shardlake.
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7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By
Joanne
on
08-29-11
A Revalation
I had read the Shardlake novels in paperback but had put off downloading the audiobooks as I am not normally a fan of abridged novels. However, I'm really glad I changed my mind as this was superb.
Anton Lesser seemed to have got inside my head as his voice characterisation was exactly how I had imagined it. The abridgement had been carefully done with no loss to the flow of the story.
I'm not a full fledged convert to abridgement but I will download the rest of the series and would recommend this to everyone.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By
Julie Swanepoel
on
06-11-17
Gripping tale!
what a fantastic tale of murder, greed and devilish treatment of fellow humans. So interesting. ......
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5 out of 5 stars
By
Helen Esdaile
on
05-11-16
Gripping
What did you like most about Dissolution?
The narration was so good I will be searching out anything Anton Lesser has read based on this book.
What does Anton Lesser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The book is a gripping yarn which comes alive with Anton Lesser reading it.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely
Any additional comments?
I will now be reading all the Matthew Shardlake series. A wonderful story.
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