Hilary Mantel: IndyBest’s book review of The Mirror and the Light

After the Booker Prize winning author passed away on 22 September, we take a look at her final novel

The British writer is considered one of the greatest English-language novelists (AFP/The Independent)

The celebrated and Booker Prize winning novelist Hilary Mantel has died, aged 70, as confirmed by her publisher HarperCollins.

A statement from HarperCollins said: “We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved author, Dame Hilary Mantel… This is a devastating loss and we can only be grateful she left us with such a magnificent body of work.” They added that Dame Hilary died “suddenly yet peacefully”, surrounded by her family and friends.

Penning numerous novels, short story collections and an acclaimed memoir, the British writer was regarded as one of the greatest English-language authors – winning the prestigious Booker Prize twice, as well as the Costa Book of the Year and the Walter Scott Prize in both 2010 and 2021.

Her final novel, The Mirror and the Light, was released in 2020 and concluded Mantel’s celebrated historical trilogy, Wolf Hall. The bestselling series chronicles the life of Thomas Cromwell and was lauded by critics and readers alike as a masterpiece. Upon its release, the book became an instant bestseller and was longlisted for both the Booker Prize and the Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Below, we take a closer look at Dame Hilary Mantel’s critically acclaimed conclusion to the Cromwell book series. The review, written by Emma-Lee Potter, earned a spot in both our round-up of the best novels of 2020 and the best books written by women.

Read more:

• Best novels of 2020: From ‘Shuggie Bain’ to ‘Small Pleasures’
• Best books by women: From Hilary Mantel to Sally Rooney
• This is the book the Marilyn Monroe movie is based on
• The best books about Queen Elizabeth II’s life

‘The Mirror and the Light’ by Hilary Mantel, published by HarperCollins: £6.49, Amazon.co.uk 

(HarperCollins)

A fictional account of Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power in the Tudor court of Henry VIII, the Wolf Hall trilogy has sold more than five million copies globally and has been translated into 41 languages. The final book, The Mirror and the Light, in the ambitious body of work was released to acclaim in 2020.

“This book has been the greatest challenge of my writing life, and the most rewarding; I hope and trust my readers will find it has been worth it.” Those were Hilary Mantel’s words before the publication of the third part of her Wolf Hall trilogy and there’s no doubt about it – it was definitely worth it. The Mirror and the Light brings to a close the series Mantel began with Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, both of which won the Booker Prize.

The third book traces the final years of Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith’s son from Putney who rose to become Henry VIII’s feared right-hand man and fixer. Mantel brings the Tudor court magnificently to life in this dazzling masterpiece of a novel.

Buy now

Voucher codes

For the latest discounts on audiobooks, try the link below:

• Audible discount code

Looking for more reading inspiration? The Booker prize 2022 shortlist has been announced