Sovereign (Matthew Shardlake 3)

This is the first book I have read in the Shardlake series and found the book to be OK, but nothing special. The descriptions are very detailed and believable, Sansom has obviously researched Tudor England well and is knowledgeable of the period. However, the descriptions are too detailed, slowing the plot down to a snail's pace and making the book far lengthier than it should have been. As a result I found the book interesting but hardly compelling. Too often the author spent too long on the minutiae of Shardlake's daily movements, a blow-by-blow account of what he did when he got up, during the day and when he went to bed. I lost count the number of times he mentioned he was hungry or moaned about his back. At one point I was expecting Sansom to give details of Shardlake's bowel movements, although we came close with him urinating up a well!

The protagonist Matthew Shardlake did not appeal to me either. He appeared obnoxious, to self-preoccupied and not a man of the times, that is of sixteenth century England.

The plot itself was OK but anybody with an interest in the history of Yorkist England would know what the "secret" was about as soon as the name of Blaybourne is mentioned. There is a whodunnit as well running as another plot-line and this too was a bit easy to work out. To me it seemed obvious that I wondered how a supposedly bright man such as Shardlake could have been so gullible and slow in working it out.

In summary, I would recommend the book, as it is very atmospheric and the closest you'll get to being in Tudor England. It gets bogged down though!

OUTSTANDING.............................. (1/1 people found this helpful)

My edition is not 400 pages as described in the overview, but is in fact 658 - a long book indeed.
This is the third volume in the Matthew Shardlake series. A lengthy novel, it can be repetitive at times, but nevertheless is does not disappoint. I never thought I would see the day that I would willingly sit during the day pouring over such a thick book as usually I cast them aside and go for a slimmer model.
Matthew is once again up to his neck in political intrigue and comes face to face with Henry VIII himself - poor Matthew. In this volume he really takes a battering but staggers back. With him is his collegue Barak, and he picks up another few admirers along the way and more than his fair share of enemies. I do not want to go into the story and spoil it for readers, but he is on the tail of conspirators who are searching for missing documents.
It is a super book and a worthy successor to "Dissolution" and "Dark Fire". I really look forward to Mr Sansom's next novel and hope it is not the last of the series. Mr Sansom is indeed a great scholar and his knowledge of this period in history is remarkable. He makes it come alive.
Rumour has it that the books are to be televised with Kenneth Brannagh in the role of Matthew!
BRING IT ON..........................

The Best (0/0 people found this helpful)

I can say without doubt that the Shardlake series of books are some of the very, very best historical fiction out there - not many books can rate as highly.

The characters and situations are woven into the fabric of history with a expertise that makes you stand back and simply admire.

Can't wait for the next book to come out - now, who would be a good Matthew Shardlake in the film versions?????

Good story - but he slipped up here! (0/0 people found this helpful)

I greatly enjoyed this book and shall seek out the earlier ones. However on page 445 of my copy, the second para begins ..."Towards noon, the great train slowed". The next para says "We rode on through the afternoon ..." But the following para starts by saying " Towards noon the order to halt for lunch was given..."
It made me smile.

Tudor history brought to life. (1/1 people found this helpful)

This must be one of the great historical novels of all time. It also has all the ingredients of a great, epic film.
Matthew does not want to accept the task thrust upon him by Thomas Cranmer. Throughout the novel he is reluctant to respond to the events which unfold around him anymore than he has to. However, situations spiral beyond his control, sucking hom into positions where he is investigating events unconnected to his original brief.
Matthew's hunchback deformity receives more attention and sympathy than in the previous two novels, and helps the reader to understand the predjucises and superstitions of the time, as well as our own today. Physically, he becomes a 16th century "Collumbo", with ill fitting clothes and a social awkwadness.
I was initially reluctant to start the novel due to it's length, but I could not put it down from the start. Within the plot there are timely reminders of what has gone before. This does not patronise the reader and helps you to take your time reading it if necessary.
The story is very atmospheric. Like the previous two novels you can smell Tudor England. More than this, it suggests how it might feel to anticipate being, and be, tortured, medieval style!
The supporting characters are all larger than life. Make your own mind up about King Henry V111.

Sovereign (Matthew Shardlake 3)

C.J. Sansom

Reader Reviews:

Sovereign - C J Sansom (1/1 people found this helpful)

OUTSTANDING.............................. (1/1 people found this helpful)

The Best (0/0 people found this helpful)

Good story - but he slipped up here! (0/0 people found this helpful)

Tudor history brought to life. (1/1 people found this helpful)

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