Lamentation

The Matthew Shardlake series of novels, about a hunchback lawyer practicing in the time of Henry VIII, are simply wonderful and this, the sixth in the series, does not disappoint.After a horrible and explosive beginning, the story unfolds slowly but effortlessly, immersing the reader back in not only Henry VIII's final months, but also Shardlake's life and law practice.It's autumn 1546, and King Henry, obese and quite disabled, is nearing death. Aware of this, the mercurial king, who forced his country from Catholicism and the yoke of Rome to Protestantism, dissolving the monasteries, claiming their vast wealth and punishing those who refused to acknowledge his supremacy over the new church, is once again undergoing an existential crisis. Vacillating between Popery and Protestantism, a struggle based on religious principles begins and those behind the throne with the greatest to win or lose begin to make their move. Henry may be dying, but he is powerful and vindictive, sending friends and foe to the Tower with ease, for if there's one thing he can't abide it's those he perceives as disloyal, and keeping secrets is among the worst of sins.When Protestant Queen Katherine discovers a book she's written called Lamentation, and which describes her personal and Protestant religious beliefs, has been stolen, she is panic-stricken. Knowing her faith goes against that held by her husband and that there are those on his council plotting her downfall, the book could be the exact weapon they need. Keeping the book and its theft secret from the king, she summons Shardlake to her side and begs his help.Unable to resist his queen, Shardlake knows discovering who has stolen the book will not only be difficult, but very, very dangerous. When bodies start to pile up, his greatest fears are realised, only the terrible threat to him and those he loves is yet to materialise...This is a marvellous story that plunges you into late medieval London and doesn't let you go. Sansom takes his time with the story, allowing it to time to evolve, walking the reader through the familiar and pungent streets of Shardlake's neighbourhood and other parts of London, the cloisters of various palaces, or taking us on uncomfortable rides outside the city walls. We feel the hot breath of summer, the discomfort of the fabrics as they cling to sweaty limbs, the stink of the river, and the fear of darkness and those who lurk in the shadows, watching and waiting.Evoking this period and the terror, suspicion and religious persecution that accompanied it, as well as the fight for supremacy in the court and kingdom, Sansom has written a wonderful historical and crime novel that nonetheless still manages to capture not only the era, but Shardlake's personal life and his complex but kind and intelligent character. Other characters are also beautifully drawn and we empathise with their efforts and troubles as well as enjoy their triumphs. A wonderful secondary narrative about two squabbling and vile siblings is also very well executed.I was absorbed in this tale that on occasion made me gasp with horror and genuinely fear for characters. Without spoiling the story, the last pages of the novel were both an ending and beginning, but I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Shardlake yet. The author's notes at the end are also a marvellous read, revealing not only Sansom's level of research, but his dedication to and passion for crafting a compelling tale.

I have really liked the previous books, which I binged over a couple weeks, and have come to care about the main characters. Lamentations, however, was disappointing and upsetting. The complicated plot might have been OK, but the pacing dragged badly for most of the book. Many scenes and descriptions were excessively detailed and repetitive or extraneous. Please, please get thee a ruthless editor.And then, for no reason, Sansom throws us a terrible surprise. It does nothing to advance the plot or the story, and then it’s basically tossed aside. In another context it might have been a watershed moment and changed the series’ arc, but any of that power was hastily washed out in the wrap-up. It was gratuitous and it seems to me the only point was to shock the reader, perhaps to wake us up before the eventual denouement.Shardlake’s tale has become an ever more depressing, bleak and lonely trek, with no light, no pleasure, no hint of hope. I bought Tombland already, but I can’t bear to read it.I might get a T-shirt that says “Give Shardlake A Break!”

All the books in the Shardlake series were excellent, but this was definitely my favorite. So filled with intrigue and mystery from beginning to end, and really developed the Shardlake character. What was most compelling for me was the author's wonderfully nuanced characterization of King Henry VIII, who was a crafty and conniving rogue if there ever was one. What a contrast with Queen Catherine. The machinations of the Privy Council are reminiscent of political manipulations that go on in today's toxic environment, making this book highly relevant. Thankfully, people are no longer burned at the stake, but they're burned in effigy quite regularly. Lamentation is a page turning read that uses religion as a foil to expose the tendency of humans to find reasons to hate and destroy one another. Ironically, Henry--who is forever condemning those who default on the religion di jour by even a hair--is himself conflicted right up until the moment of his death. No one knows for sure what he believes, including probably Henry himself. Shardlake is pushed to the very limits in this book, having to make incredibly choices about loyalty and how much danger he wishes to expose himself to--or involve his dearest friends in. At times I found myself nearly as outraged as Tamasin by the incredible choices Shardlake repeatedly makes, considering what's at stake (no pun intended). But without this impulsiveness, there wouldn't be much of a plot. I continue to root for the downfall of the evil Richard Rich, but he's as slippery as Wiley Coyote. I hated coming to the end of this great series. So many historical novels are unsatisfying because you don't trust the research or the detail just isn't rich enough. This one is an exception. It's so good that by the end you might find yourself tempted to read it again just to recapture the historic flavor of it all. I am seriously hoping that Sansom will consider a new series set in the time of Elizabeth, who only makes a cameo appearance in this book but is highly memorable all the same. I can only imagine what Sansom could do with a series based on Elizabeth's reign.

I've enjoyed the entire series.

I was anxious to continue reading Shardlake's further adventures but I have found that Sansom has started doing something that always irritates me in books. He repeats himself. He repeats over and over simple information that the reader will remember and he has become an author who doesn't trust his reader to hold onto facts. He repeats clues that do not need repeating--over and over. Simple info like who characters are, e.g., on page 437, Kindle ed., "This had to be McKendrick, the only one of the Anabaptist group to escape the fight at the Wharf", even though we have heard his name in the same reference repeatedly. I could go on but am too bored with it. I will continue to read the book, because I like Shardlake more than the author at this point and want to know what happens. I imagine the next book coming out this year will be worse, unless the author has a better editor. I could use the job--someone has to save this guy. Please, someone re-edit Tombland, before I have to read it. BTW, Bernard Cornwell, author of my beloved character Uhtred/Saxon series, started this annoying habit some time ago, so you, C. J. Sansom, are in good company.

CJ Sansom’s first-person depiction of a 16th century Barrister is, for me, an unusual setting. I’m not normally drawn to period dramas, but this is a rip-snorter! I’m not fond of first-person stories, but I quickly became absorbed in the twists and turns as Shardlake investigates difficult and often dangerous mysteries. Sansom doesn’t waste time on in-depth descriptions of everything, suggesting enough for you to build your own visual images (well, at least I do). The stories ebb and flow in a cleverly interwoven mix of fact n fiction. I started reading book 3 in the series, but going back to the beginning, in a prequel approach, only drew me deeper into the period. This, the 6th book in the series is stunning.... but needs to be read in sequence to give one time to start to emotionally invest in each of the characters... which just adds to the addictive, page turning effect of this book. You will not be disappointed, even if first person stories are not for you, or 16th century Britain does not initially appeal.

Before I read Tombland, my Christmas present to myself, I have gone back to Dissolution and reread the whole series. Lamentation is, until I read Tombland, just the best of them. Here is Shardlake at his vulnerable best; never able to turn a desperate cause or a request from an unrequited love away, once again in the thick of it in Tudor religion-infested England. The book moves apace, all the old friends and enemies are there and Shardlake once again takes on unsuitable staff who get him onto trouble. This is CJ at the top of his game - this book moves so quickly I haven't had time to reflect on whether things have been repeated I am enjoying it so much. You an just smell the burning of Anne Askew, the horse muck in the street, the rot of old Henry's legs and Catherine's pomander, so good is CJ's writing. I hope Tombland is not the last but as Barak says, he must be close to using up all of his nine lives.

Poor Matthew Shardlake! He comes through as a man of unerring moral rectitude, yet he gets himself into some truly awful situations. This instalment of the Shardlake series is every bit as good as what has preceded it. The series makes for an easy read, but this particular episode took me almost a month to plough through. Characters are well drawn and the various twists and turns of the plot credible. I would not, as many have done, compare Dr Sansom's writing with that of Hilary Mantel, whose prose, though compellingly beautiful, is not exactly accessible to the average reader. In "Lamentation" which is the title of an actual religious epistle written by Queen Catherine Parr, Shardlake is getting a bit long in the tooth, his back gives him pain and he is called upon to produce the goods when it comes to physical combat. His assistant, Jack Barak is also in the wars. In the background to this ageing of our heroes, Henry VIII is also feeling somewhat older and decidedly under the weather. The tale takes us through the dangers faced by Henry's sixth wife, as his various "God-inspired" religious caprices follow their course, first back toward Catholicism, then again towards the Reformers. It's good, rollicking stuff. Recommended.

Another success from C.J Sansom. Fascinating insight into the lives of people in the latter part of Henry VIII’s reign. In particular the life of the anti-hero Matthew Shardlake. Lawyer Matthew suffers from a disability and experiences slights and ridicule as a result of ignorant attitudes prevalent in those days. He has many qualities which cause some people to hate him and others to admire and trust him so he experiences great conflict as he is plunged into yet another Tudor mystery. The story is fascinatingly told with great detail and knowledge of the author.POSSIBLE SPOILER The story ends with Henry VIII’s death.... some reviewers seem to think this brings the series to an end. There is however, a clue in the last pages that Matthew has a new future and I hope this is so as I have greatly enjoyed this series and view C.J. Sansom as a master of this genre.P.S. I am pleased to say that my wish has been granted and another book in the Shardlake series has been written called “Tombland” which will be released later in the year. 😎