The Cardinal
The Cardinal is Alison Weir’s most impressive novel to date. This reviewer has read them all. In it, Weir explores Cardinal Wolsey’s life, staying close to the historical record but speculating where information within the historical narrative is sparse. For example, Weir speculates and dramatizes Joan Larke’s life with Wolsey, creating a touching, emotional theme within the novel. She also presents a detailed consideration of the Cardinal’s early life as a gifted Oxford student. Wolsey was funded by his ambitious family, who were in trade. As told by Weir, his ambition, his entry to court and his recognition by Henry VIII as a talented administrator and a personable new man are both fascinating and convincing.
As well as exploring successfully Wolsey’s impossible romance, Weir investigates and dramatizes his devotion and service to the king and their close friendship. This lasts until Wolsey fails to achieve the king’s Great Matter, Henry’s divorce. When Wolsey falls from grace, it is clear in the novel that his real enemy is ‘the night crow’ Anne Boleyn and her faction. We see how these factions operate to influence a suggestable king and how Wolsey’s own pragmatism creates his downfall.
This is a gripping novel. The prose is word-perfect. Weir admirably achieves exceptional depth of character within the book. A reader will enter King Henry’s court, perceive its brilliance, poetry and music as well as its dangers.
Weir does for Cardinal Wolsey what Hilary Mantel does for Thomas Cromwell. She humanises her protagonist and paints his world in vivid colour. This is a wonderfully engrossing novel, both rich and convincing. A reader will leave its pages considering Thomas Wolsey to be basically an honourable, good and loyal man, albeit a man who adored luxury. The Cardinal is incredibly moving and a must read for Tudor fans.
