The Mirror and the Light is the third and final book in Hilary Mantel’s historical fiction series charting the life of Thomas Cromwell, the charismatic and powerful minister in the court of King Henry VIII during the tumultuous period of the English Reformation. First published in 2020, the book was one of the most anticipated works of literature in recent years. Its predecessor, Bring up the Bodies, won the Booker prize in 2012 and earned Mantel a place as one of Britain’s most respected and award-winning authors.
In The Mirror and the Light, Mantel continues the story of Thomas Cromwell as he is handed an increasingly difficult and dangerous task of ruling England for the king. When the religious disputes of the period reach a fever-pitch, Cromwell is at the centre of it all and faces the challenge of maintaining his reputation, his place in court, and his life.
The narrative of the novel is split into three sections. In the first section, Cromwell struggles to ensure the success of the king’s new marriage, while at the same time countering the growing influence of the Duke of Norfolk and other factions in Parliament. In the second, Cromwell seeks to secure his own safety by building alliances, including a dangerous one to the French court. In the last section, Cromwell finds his fate toyed with by an increasingly paranoid and unstable Henry VIII and his enemies.
The Mirror and the Light is a masterful account of the complex relationships between power, religion and ambition in Tudor England. Mantel describes Cromwell’s gradual transformation from a blacksmith’s son to a prominent and powerful figure. Cromwell’s story is intertwined with the historical events of the period and Mantel adeptly captures the energy and fury of the times.
One of the main themes of the novel is the idea of identity and belonging. Cromwell seeks to amass the power and influence he needs to secure his position, but, as a blacksmith’s son and advisor to a monarch, he is never truly accepted in either the court or in the working class. Despite his success, Cromwell remains an outsider who must continually strive to prove his worth.
Another key aspect of The Mirror and the Light is Mantel’s exploration of the effects of fear and paranoia on power. As Henry VIII’s reign reaches its end, the monarch is consumed by paranoia, convinced that even his closest advisors plan to overthrow him. The novel is set against this backdrop of suspicion and insecurity, and the impact it has on those surrounding the king is vividly portrayed.
The Mirror and the Light is a masterpiece of historical storytelling and is rightfully regarded as one of the most important recent works of English fiction. Mantel’s work is a gripping and compelling read that offers an insight into the complexities and contradictions of Tudor England and the power dynamics of court. It is a testament to Mantel’s skill that even though readers already know the outcome of the story, they remain transfixed by the narrative of Thomas Cromwell.
