Litsy

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

jenniferw88 I liked Mark—I was very surprised at the end because I thought he was good. I'd like to find out what happens to him and Alice. I also appreciated the diversity, especially with the POC and LGBT characters. 3mo

LiseWorks I want to know more about Mark and Alice. 3mo

Librarybelle Sansom constructed a great character in Mark, and it was sad to see the character arc for him at the end. It would be nice to see him return, maybe realize that Alice is not the nicest person. 😂 I struggle if it was really love that drew them together or if Alice made Mark think it was love, because she saw her way out. I‘m a pretty jaded person! 😂 3mo

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Librarybelle And thanks, Denise, for doing this buddy read! I really liked the book and am looking forward to Dark Fire! 3mo

Mollyanna I would like to see Brother Guy again. I liked his perspective on things. I‘d also like to see Mark again. I‘m sure his usefulness to Alice will run its course (I‘m jaded along with you @Librarybelle 😊). Thanks for introducing me to this series, Denise. I look forward to reading the remaining books. 3mo

Librarybelle @Mollyanna 😊 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf Maybe Brother Guy (or Guy of Malton now) as I'd like to see if he could pursue a career in medicine outside of the Church. He may also be a useful font of information on poisons & causes of death &, with both Shardlake & Guy being outside of society on account of disability & skin colour respectively, I wonder if they could end up forming a real friendship. 3mo

Deblovestoread Count me among the jaded! @Librarybelle and @Mollyanna I wouldn‘t be surprised to see Mark come back with his tail between his legs. I‘d like to know what happens to Brother Guy. Looking forward to Dark Fire. 3mo

dabbe @Librarybelle I don't think you're jaded at all; Alice was quite a manipulative person. 3mo

dabbe @Librarybelle I'm so happy to be rereading this with all of you! 🩶🖤🩶 3mo

dabbe @Mollyanna I love Brother Guy! I also am so happy that he was able to produce a tonic to alleviate some of Shardlake's pain. He seems like he would be not only a friend to Shardlake but a wise counsel for him as well. And I'm glad you're liking the series! 🤩😊🤗 3mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf They are an interesting duo. They're more equals whereas Shardlake was Mark's mentor. I love the idea that Shardlake may have someone to confide in and seek advice from. 3mo

dabbe @Deblovestoread I am, too! My views of Mark were more diminished this time around, and I'd like him to receive his comeuppance as well. 3mo

dabbe @jenniferw88 Excellent point about the diversity, especially during this time period. Shardlake gets to be in the company of so-called greatness, but his disability and the fact that he's just a lawyer keeps him in a certain place. And Doctor Guy--a doctor wasn't esteemed too highly either, it seems, and then to be dark-skinned ... these two are one of the best possible misfits I've read in a while! 3mo

dabbe @LiseWorks Me, too! I wanted to know more details as to how they could have escaped that muck and mire! 3mo

BookWrym Brother Guy he is just a great character and Alice we need more women and I don‘t care if she is bad at least she is interesting 🤣 3mo

dabbe @BookWrym I find her fascinating and a force to be reckoned with. She would have kicked ass in the 21st century! 😊 3mo

AnneCecilie As a reread I do remember some who returns in future books, but not sure if I remember all. I would love to meet Guy and Mark again 3mo

lil1inblue I can't decide if I want an update on Mark and Alice or not. Part of me thinks it's a good end for their arc, but another part wants to see what happens to them. I liked the conversations that Shardlake had with Brother Guy, so that would be an interesting relationship to explore further, too. And of course, we need to know what happens with the Cromwell of it all... 3mo

dabbe @lil1inblue “The Cromwell of it all“ ... love that! ❤️ 3mo

PageShifter Brother Guy because he was kind and there for the right reasons. He has now no place to go and I would love to see him finding home & living 2mo

dabbe @PageShifter You're in luck! 🤩 2mo

28 likes22 comments

dabbe

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

LiseWorks Oh absolutely! I feel bad for Mark. True love should exist in this time period. 3mo

The_Book_Ninja I wasn‘t really bothered. I think that‘s the whole weakness of the book. I cared little for the characters except Mark Smeaton, a real character, most likely tortured to extract a false confession of liaisons with the queen. 3mo

Librarybelle I felt more like justice was not served. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3mo

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Daisey I was relieved. I know Alice made some terrible choices, but at the same time, I appreciated the strength she had to get vengeance for Mark Smeaton. 3mo

Mollyanna Yes and no…. I definitely think Shardlake felt relief. 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf I wasn't really bothered either way but if I had to choose, I'd be more inclined to be disappointed they survived. 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf @The_Book_Ninja I always felt sorry for Mark Smeaton (well all of the accused really) as he didn't have the protection of rank so he was tortured for a confession & could have faced being hung, drawn, & quartered. 3mo

Deblovestoread I agree Shardlake was relieved. I do not think justice was served and I worry for Mark‘s future with Alice. 3mo

BookWrym I was relieved I think they make for an interesting dynamic and obs it makes Shardlake feel better 3mo

dabbe I found it interesting that they got away; it's rare when the murderer gets away with the crime--even if the crime is understandable. I found Shardlake to be quite like a high school boy who's been rebuffed when he reads the letter and then tells Brother Guy that “they do not mention me at all ... pox on them.“ In the friend and love department, he has a lot to learn. 3mo

lil1inblue This might sound odd, but I was relieved that Alice survived, but not Mark as much. I found him ultimately to be kind of a weak character, and I didn't have strong feelings about his ending. But I was intrigued by Alice, and I can't help but feel a little satisfaction in her getting vengeance for Mark Smeaton. It's a mixed bag of feelings, which is why the book is so interesting! 3mo

dabbe @lil1inblue I was more disappointed in Mark during this reread. He seemed like a petulant high school boy. 3mo

PageShifter I was happy for it. Mark didn't deserve to die for being under someone's spell. 2mo

25 likes13 comments

dabbe

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

LiseWorks I can't believe Cromwell would kill someone and plot against someone just for advancement. I was not a fan of King Henry, and as a teen, I needed to know more about him. Why the 8 wives. The more I learn, the more I hate the people around him 3mo

Librarybelle I was disappointed in Mark, though I can see his point of view—wanting to live his life in his own way, without having to follow society and stay or rise up in his social station. I was surprised by Alice—that was a twist! I‘ve read so much about the Tudors that I knew how Cromwell was in real life—it fits. Shardlake is a flawed character, & I like flawed characters that recognize their flaws. 3mo

Mollyanna I like Shardlake and Brother Guy. They each have a tough path ahead of them. I was disappointed in Mark too. He was too idealistic for someone that had been around the court. Henry‘s court was so full of political maneuverings, it would be hard for someone to be so unaware of it. Alice was more difficult though, she was more complex than she originally seemed. Cromwell is Cromwell. 3mo

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Deblovestoread Mark was young and impressionable. I hope Alice truly cares for him because his choice will make for a harder life, I think. Like @Librarybelle I like flawed characters and Shardlake is not perfect but he does want to do the right thing. 3mo

BookWrym Like the others I enjoy flawed characters so Shardlake is great. Cromwell seems a bit over the top stereotypical baddie can‘t believe the real Cromwell would ever gloat to anyone not in on the plot as that would be to risk death. I like Brother Guy and Alice. 3mo

dabbe @LiseWorks He did seem to surround himself with all kinds of hangers-on, didn't he? 3mo

dabbe @Librarybelle I understand Mark's wanting to be a man on his own, but I don't like the way he went about it. He definitely seemed to be under Alice's spell. And boy does Shardlake have flaws! That's why I love him! 🤩 3mo

dabbe @Mollyanna I love your line: “Cromwell is Cromwell.“ Boy was he something! Yowza! 3mo

dabbe @Deblovestoread Agree 💯. I would only add the word “headstrong“ to Mark and the idea that he is too hasty when it comes to decision-making. 3mo

dabbe @BookWrym Good point. Why would Cromwell gloat to Shardlake? I mean, he questions Shardlake's loyalty at one point in the book. Does he truly feel that powerful and therefore above the rack or beheading? Knowing what truly happens to him makes one go, Hmm. #justlikethesong 🤩 3mo

AnneCecilie Love makes blind, and clearly Mark is under the spell. It‘s one thing to fall in love beneath your station, but what‘s to stop someone who‘s killed to kill again? I didn‘t remember the twist with Mark and Alice. 3mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie I didn't either ... until close to the end. 3mo

lil1inblue Mark was definitely a surprise: I didn't pick up initially how impressionable he was. Alice was less of a shock, because I had a feeling there was more to her story from the beginning. Did anyone else get Irene Adler vibes from Alice, or was it just me? 3mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Alice definitely reminded me of Irene Adler from the Benedict Cumberbatch series--a dominatrix! 🤩 3mo

PageShifter Shardlake is really interesting character, I want to know about him! Mark was young and stupider than what I had expected from him. Brother Guy I would love to meet again! Alice had secrets like I had guessed. But that they were like this 😔 Devious! Cromwell is still 🤮 2mo

dabbe @PageShifter 🎯! @PageShifter I have been addicted to the Tudor era since childhood. There are so many wonderful books out there about this time period! 🧡🩶🧡 2mo

21 likes16 comments

dabbe

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel 1 | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

P.S. to all: sorry for the “cite examples“ part in this question. I found it in a study guide for students taking a Tudor history class and forgot to take off that part when I was posting late last night. Note to self: never post when half asleep!

I repasted without that obnoxious part. So sorry again. 😔

jenniferw88 I'm sorry—I can't be bothered to back up my claims here, but I think it was real for Shardlake. Alice was definitely pretending, in my opinion. 3mo

LiseWorks I think Shardlake was lonely, so he saw and felt what he wanted. I had no clue that Alice was using Mark for her advantage 3mo

The_Book_Ninja The age old problem for women I guess. Always a gamble when befriending a man that he sees kindness as cues for romantic advances that are totally in his own head. 3mo

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Librarybelle I‘m not sure I would call it sexual tension. Shardlake certainly thought something of Alice and even somewhat fantasized about her. He talks of her beauty and kindness and seems so taken aback when she distances herself. There was attraction on his part, for sure. Alice, on the other hand, had her designs on Mark and was able to manipulate him to get him to do what he did in the end. 3mo

Mollyanna I think Shardlake hoped there was some common fondness between them, but it was one-sided. 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf TBH I didn't feel any sexual tension between Shardlake/Alice or Mark/Alice. In fact it made me a little uncomfortable when Shardlake kept encroaching on Alice's personal space (wanting to hug her or touch her hand/arm) - it was obvious she wasn't attracted to him in that way so why keep pushing it? It was quite creepy at times. 3mo

Deblovestoread I did not feel any sexual tension between them. I think he is lonely and became infatuated and I was uncomfortable when he came on too strong. 3mo

dabbe @jenniferw88 Sooooo sorry about that! This question came from a college study guide for students taking a class on Tudor history! That's all they ever ask students nowadays: “offer proof for your opinions.“ I should have taken that part off and then totally forgot when I was posting these late last night. 3mo

dabbe I see all your sides on this one, too. To me I take the so-called “sexual tension“ as the extreme awkwardness in Shardlake getting too close and Alice being creeped out by it ... hence the ick factor for us reading it, I guess. I also wonder why it would be okay for Shardlake to be with Alice (who is clearly beneath him) but not for Mark.
3mo

BookWrym @OutsmartYourShelf with you again 🤣 @dabbe it would be acceptable for Shardlake as his disability kind of equals the social difference at that time he is unlike to find a woman of his own status to marry him whereas Mark is an eligible bachelor. 3mo

dabbe @BookWrym Excellent point. 🤩 3mo

PageShifter I didn't feel to be honest. I think Shardlake was interested in her but that's all I felt. 2mo

21 likes12 comments

dabbe

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

jenniferw88 I think he's still in denial—he'll have to see it firsthand for it to become real. There's still a lot for him to learn about his leaders! 3mo

LiseWorks In this book, I think he is waking up to what Cromwell is really like after he finds out what they did to Anne Boleyn. He even admits that he's happy not to have to deal with Cromwell at the end 3mo

The_Book_Ninja He‘s of his time I guess. Unimaginative and uncritical following of the status quo. He‘d probably wear a MAGA hat if it was set in modern times. He shows signs of waking up but he‘s a loyal subject 3mo

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Librarybelle I would not call him naive, because to question openly any decision or situation would in fact give one the same fate as Anne Boleyn. He definitely becomes disillusioned and I think realizes that not everything that happens is at it seems. 3mo

Daisey I think he was still in denial for a good part of this story, but now he really is waking up to the truth. 3mo

Mollyanna I think he wanted to believe the narrative. He wanted to trust in Cromwell, to think that things had been done on the up and up. His eyes have been opened and now we‘ll see how it handles things moving forward. 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf I think he was a 'true believer' in the religious reforms that were being brought in & naively thought that Cromwell & King Henry were sincere - that it was about rooting out corruption rather than exchanging one form of corruption for another. 3mo

Deblovestoread I think he believed in reform but as he became aware of the machinations behind the scenes he had to face a reality he wasn‘t aware of. 3mo

dabbe Whew, I agree 💯 with you all! 🤩 I do think he was a deep believer and follower in the Reformation movement, but once he saw the corruption on BOTH sides, he can't help but start to reevaluate his opinions. And then seeing what was done to Anne Boleyn and Marc Smeaton (the love of the woman he loved) begins to open up his eyes. This is what makes me want to read on! 3mo

BookWrym @OutsmartYourShelf 💯 with you on this one 😀 3mo

AnneCecilie I completely agree with @Librarybelle @OutsmartYourShelf and @dabbe I think he was a “true believer” in the reforms. Like he didn‘t really take Mark seriously when he was talking about how the higher ups were dividing the land between themselves. And is hard to believe that someone you work for and think believes in the cause, will torture anyone to get their will 3mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie You'd certainly like to be able to trust your boss, right? 😂 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf @BookWrym 😎 3mo

lil1inblue I think that he wanted to believe in the reform so badly, that he was unable to see the corruption initially. I'm not sure if it was naivete, or if it was just a case of the “halo effect.“ The dissolution of his faith was one of the more interesting parts of the book for me. I'm curious to see how it evolves in future books. 3mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Your connection to the “halo effect“ is spot-on! 🤩 3mo

PageShifter I think we often refuse to see something that we don't want to see. I think that was the case with him as well. 2mo

21 likes17 comments

dabbe

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR #ShardlakeBR
#Dissolution

jenniferw88 I love that Shardlake is disabled - especially for this time period, as it's not something I see very much of, even in contemporary fiction (but then I'm probably not reading the right type of books where this would be common). 3mo

LiseWorks Everyone is terrified of losing their status. I feel bad for Shardlake for having to work for Cromwell. I was sad that he was sore all the time. There are no meds to help him at this time. I felt bad for Mark because he had to marry a girl fit for his status and not for love. 3mo

The_Book_Ninja Now the dust has settled…it was OK, I feel I enjoyed it more now a few weeks have gone by. But I‘m not in a rush to read the next one. I didn‘t fall in love with any of the characters. Mark started out interesting but ended up being wet 3mo

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Librarybelle I really enjoyed this. Sansom‘s writing really showcases the tensions of the time. The fact that Shardlake not only battles the political climate but his own physical disabilities makes for a very interesting, immersive story. 3mo

Daisey I thoroughly enjoyed this reread. I think part of that is my appreciation for the series though. I actually read Dark Fire first years ago and then went back to this one. I‘m really looking forward to rereading it as I think I did like it even more. 3mo

Mollyanna I enjoyed the novel. I think Sansom does a great job of setting the scene, using the time period and even nature to evoke tension and emotion. Shardlake is a great character. He is flawed, but I appreciate that. Looking forward to the next book. 3mo

OutsmartYourShelf I thought it was OK but it didn't bowl me over or anything. I've read better historical mysteries in respect of immersing the reader in the historical time period, but I never judge solely on the first book so looking forward to the second. 3mo

Deblovestoread I really enjoyed being in this time period again and I loved getting to know Shardlake. 3mo

dabbe I read this years ago (loved it) but couldn't believe this time that I couldn't remember “whodunnit.“ 🤪 Also, I liked Mark and his snarkiness less this time around. I adore Shardlake and all of his frailties and flaws, and I love that he willingly admits them as he is not only our Sherlock but our Watson as well. To those who didn't like it so much, I believe the second one was better. #fingerscrossed 3mo

BookWrym I enjoyed this my first read of this series. Shardlake is a great character and I like the time setting unusual for a Tudor novel not to start with Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn 3mo

AnneCecilie I‘ve read the entire series before and loved it so this is a reread. I love how Sansom is describing this area, so it feels like you‘re there with all the tension but also the daily life. 3mo

lil1inblue I really enjoyed my first read of this book. Shardlake is an interesting character. I also like the parallel of the dissolution of the monastery with the dissolution of Shardlake's faith in Reform. I have already started the second book, and I'm liking it more than the first already. 3mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Ooh, that's exciting! I hope to start this evening. 🤩 3mo

kwmg40 I decided not to reread this first book, since I'd read it only a couple of years ago. I loved the historical setting and characters but I didn't remember enough of the details to participate fully in the current discussion. Still, I enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I'll be reading along with the rest of you once we get to book 3. 3mo

dabbe @kwmg40 I 💚 it! Whatever works for you is fine! Can't wait to read your thoughts on Book 3! 🤩 3mo

PageShifter I really adored the setting!! This made me think how I should reread some awesome books about this era. I loved the history! Reading this book was thought-provoking! 2mo

dabbe @PageShifter I have been addicted to the Tudor era since childhood. There are so many wonderful books out there about this time period! 🧡🩶🧡 2mo

PageShifter Yes there is!!! And I got myself obsessed again 😂 2mo

21 likes18 comments

HanMaBo

The Lord of the Rings: One Volume | J.R.R. Tolkien

Got all these books for Qd! I love that edition of LotR and also the coloured pages on Tempted and Hunted ? #thelordoftherings #thehouseofnight #allthebrightplaces #dissolution #theundergroundman

8 likes

Book_Gnome

Dissolution: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Opening line:
"I was down in Surrey, on business for Lord Cromwell's office, when the summons came."
#bookgnome #cjsansom #dissolution #matthewshardlake

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