Loved The Story! Loved Anton Lesser's Reading!

Would you listen to Dissolution again? Why?

I did, twice, straight off!! I loved that voice! I know Anton Lesser, as an actor and love his work. However, it is only listening in this way, that I realised just how great an actor he is! He gives you every nuance! Brilliant interpretation!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the fact that it was set in an era of great change, I loved the main character. It kept me on my toes!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of it!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It didn't make me laugh or cry, but I couldn't put it down, then did it all over again and bought the next one!

Any additional comments?

Go for it!

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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 people found this helpful

Anton Lesser does it again

A good, solid story rendered brilliant by Anton Lesser. He deserves an audio oscar. His voice lends itself to every imaginable nuance of all the differing accents present in the story as to make it sound like a play.

Superb!

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Superb

Anton Lessers narrative of this cracking tale is the icing on the cake. He brings the story and the characters alive. No boring characterisations, the story ebbs and flows and at no time does your concentration lapse. Its the first that I have heard from this author but it certainly wont be the last.

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2 people found this helpful

A crime story with a factual pedigree

I heard of this novel by hearing part of a dramatisation on the radio. As I have an interest in this period of history, Tudor England, I followed it up with the audiobook and was not disappointed. It is basically about the fate of a monastery during Henry 8ths closure of the monasteries. Not only does it shed light on the mechanics of the process but also the conflicting interests of everyone involved. Bodies start appearing and a hunt to identify the guilty adds to the tension.

The style is easy to follow and makes a gripping read

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1 person found this helpful

A superb first instalment

This first chapter in the life of Shardlake is an enlightening and compelling read. Above all else it's a "page turner"

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1 person found this helpful

Fantastic

Seriously brilliant book and read incredibly well. I downloaded the rest of the series straight after finishing this one and have remained impressed throughout.

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1 person found this helpful

An uneasy story from an uneasy time

I enjoy the Sales as it encorages me to try books I would otherwise pass over.

Well read by Anton Lesser is this story of a very English revolution. But, as usual with revolutions, those who are in at the begining find the ideals betrayed by human nature at it's lowest. So Matthew Shardlake finds, as he acts as King's Commisioner over the case of another Commisioner murdered at a monastery under threat of disolution. By the end he feels all has come to disolution.

It's abridged, I can't say how well, and not totaly lacking in humor but deals with some very adult issues with not too heavy a hand. I'm not sure I liked it but will probably return to it a some point to find out! Couldn't have been too bad then...

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Nice historical fiction

I've not heard/read anything by C.J.Sansom before, but I will certainly get more of his books in the future.

I was a bit confused at the start by the references to 'Cromwell' at the same time as Henry VIII, but then I worked out it was Thomas Cromwell (not Oliver, but his great-great-uncle).

There were the usual gruesome murders that you can expect from this genre of fiction, and, I'll have to admit, that it was only near the end that I worked out who did it. There was also lots of interesting background about life in the Tudor period, and the dissolution of the monasteries and the Reformation.

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3 people found this helpful

Tudor detective brilliance

love CJ Sansom, his stories are so detailed & full of interesting historical facts which bring to life the tudor court

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