This is an excellent recounting of a great man I knew very little about cardinal wolsey and have lapped up the story, then, always a sign of a good historical novel, gone and researched the man, his life, children, mistress and relationship with Henry viii after I’d finished the book. Although a book of fiction because who knows what went on in those days, it tells his story sympathetically and with great heart. A brilliant read and, as expected with this author, a book to be recommended to all

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This book is not for the faint hearted. It is HEFTY!

But for Tudor's fan it's another POV from one of the influencial people in King Henry VIII's life. After reading the Six Queens series, it was refreshing see the story told from the Cardinals side.

My thanks to Alison Weir, their publishing team and Netgalley for the chance to read this.

A meticulously researched and sympathetic account of Cardinal Wolsey’s life, I’d expect no less from Alison Weir. Being a fan of Tudor history, I knew a lot of the story already but it was so interesting to read about his secret partner and children!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

We all know about Thomas Wolsey, right.
There are lots of excellent historians who are accomplished students and excellent storytellers.
To my mind Alison Weirs is the best of those.
The story is gripping with lots of insights into parts of his life that are not normally written about.
I loved the parts of the tale about his (common law) wife and children, and this is written in such a way that shows that it does not matter who you are there is the likelihood of the same types of joy and problems.
I like the characterisation of (King) Henry (VIII). The book depicts him as someone who though determined to be a strong king has weaknesses (especially Anne Boleyn).
A fantastic array of characters, with lots that I have not heard of, any many that I knew little about.
I am looking forward to Alison's next book, and I must find those that I have not yet read to save for a rainy day. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Brilliant! I've read a few of Weir's Tudor novels and they are always meticulously researched and give interesting historical detail in novel format. Of course I am familiar with Wolsey but have never known much about him - to me overshadowed by his protégée Cromwell ( as brilliantly portrayed in the Wolf Hall Trilogy by Mantel). So this was an excellent read, both for historical perspective and for story. Highly recommend - Weir is a great historical novelist

Thomas Wolsey was a statesman, peace-broker, and spokesman for and confidante of King Henry VIII. Author Alison Weir approaches his biography by taking a cast of hundreds, then making the complex simpler and easy to read. She writes of Thomas falling in love with Joan and of their children, explaining that as a cardinal a romantic relationship was forbidden and Joan kept hidden and their children sent away at birth to avoid scandal. Above all, Tom Wolsey is ambitious. When he is faced with the choice between retiring from public office to be with Joan and their son, or marrying her to another man, he picks his career and is then jealous when he finds her settled and a mother. This is a book based on historical accounts of the man, and although authorial decisions include speculation and the author suggests and invents storylines for dramatic purposes, there is not a lot of insight to the main characters feelings or motivations. This keeps things simple, and the focus on Wolsey who is bright, brilliant and ambitious, but I prefer a storyline where characters reveal depth and complexity. Tom’s emotional range is narrow in this telling: he cries and feels sorry for himself, is petulant, thinks about having sex with Joan a lot, and he is hypocritical and maudlin when he is unable to have a career and family and finds himself out of favour with the king. At the end of his life, Tom embraces a simpler life, but he still craves affirmation and lives comfortably with servants, is shown respect and with hopes that he will be returned to his former power and influence. I am impressed by how a complex man’s life has been written so simply but this is a very different approach to, say, Wolf Hall which seethes with intrigue, passion and ruthless ambition.

I found this a fascinating insight in to the life of Thomas Wolsey at such an interesting time in English history. Even though it is fiction, Alison Weir always seems to research her subject very well and that really brings the people and times to life. I always appreciate the author's notes at the end of the books to help separate fact from fiction. This book covers the life of Wolsey, including his rise and fall from power and describes very well his greed and need for power above all else, including a great love in his life. Obviously he is a very well known person so it was interesting to think of his reasoning and his relationship with King Henry VIII. Alison Weir really is fantastic at bringing historical characters to life and colouring in their story.

I love Weir's books and I was keen to start this latest book, exploring the life of Thomas Wolsey. I knew a lot about Wolsey's later years but not his early life so it was interesting to learn more about this. I also enjoyed 'learning' about his thoughts - whilst I realise this is Weir's thoughts and interpretations, they are plausible and based on fact where possible.
Weir, as always captures the time superbly and I was transported to this turbulent time. Weir portrays the other people of the time well and it was interesting to see them from another's perspective.
For me this was let down a bit by the length. I feel this is a bit too long and the drama and pace was lost a bit as a result.
Overall 'The Cardinal' is another great read from Weir and I enjoyed reading about a more sympathetic Wolsey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.

Who’d have thought I could have been so invested in Cardinal Wolsey’s life?! Alison Weir - you’ve done it again! You never let me down and you bring history to vivid life.

I’m absolutely enamoured by this era of history and the intrigues of Tudor times. She wins me over more and more with each subsequent book and I’ve made it my mission to go back and read everything she’s ever written! I enjoy them so much.

They’re such immersive reads and they have you flung into history and following the lives of who she spotlights. I find myself rapidly reading through, without noticing the numbers of pages I’ve consumed in one sitting. It’s like reliving history itself.

I didn’t know that much of Wolsey prior, aside from the bits included in history textbooks and of his reputation. It was great to read an insight into his life and all that happened within it. He certainly lived a life and one can’t help but be impressed from how high he rose from his humble beginnings (to how high he could fall..!). A butchers son to beloved confident to the eminent king himself!

I’m also making my way through her Tudor Queens series and her books are just my absolute favourite thing. I seriously loved this book. 100/10.

Really had to battle through this one. It was very tell don't show and repetitive.

Instead of showing us the relationship between Tom and Harry it was more 'I felt like a father to him'. Instead of leading us through the work that Tom was performing or involved in, it just said that he went to do paperwork and spent hours thinking about Joan instead.

I kept putting it down and not going back to it for days at a time.

I've read both fiction and non fiction by this author but this is the first that I've really struggled with

Having a great interest in Tudor history I already had some background knowledge on Cardinal Wolsey, both from historical fiction and non-fiction so was keen to read Alison Weir’s new novel. As with her Six Tudor Queens series the author weaves a narrative based on historical fact with enough fictional elements interspersed to make the story flow. The Cardinal immerses you in the dangerous and deadly Tudor court where power and influence can be given and taken away on the whim of one man. It also shows the human side of a historical figure who is known for achieving his high position in the court of Henry VIII from his lowly beginnings. I very much enjoyed The Cardinal and would recommend it without hesitation.

This is a well-researched and accessible account of the career of Thomas Wolsey from his humble beginnings to his dramatic fall. Wolsey reached the highest offices of church and state and became very wealthy but we also learn of his sadness in being unable to be with the love of his life. Alison Weir brings the period to life, resulting in a moving account of one of the great characters of the Tudor age. The timeline at the end of the book provides a useful chonology of events. There is also a Dramatis Personae listing all the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Cardinal referred to in this book is Cardinal Wolsey. Alison weir tells of his history from being a boy until his death. It was a masterpiece of historical research as you would expect from this author. She has also related a good story, which I found moving in parts. Her re creation of the character of Wolsey is excellent.
I enjoyed this book, and found it to be a good read, and would recommend it.