Shardlake Series

[drspoon]

Has anyone read the Shardlake series by Sansom and is it recommended?

[annis]

I love this series-- it's dark, atmospheric and the characterisation is great. I'm hanging out for the fifth book in the series, though I haven't seen an advance mention of it as yet.

At one stage there was word of a BBC TV series based on the books and starring Kenneth Branagh as Shardlake, but that seems to have put to one side at this stage.

[Chatterbox]

Very highly recommended indeed!

I was looking forward to seeing Branagh as Shardlake.

Though if you want an idea of how he might play the role (minus the hunched back or whatever and with cell phones) check out the DVDs of Wallander -- excellent acting...

[Leo62]

Originally Posted by annis

At one stage there was word of a BBC TV series based on the books and starring Kenneth Branagh as Shardlake, but that seems to have put to one side at this stage.

Yes he went off to play Wallander instead.

I love these books too. Sansom managed to do the impossible and make me interested in the Tudors! He really captures the atmosphere of social and political turmoil that must have characterised the Reformation, without making it either worthy and boring or lapsing into royal soap opera.

They are all good, but my favourite of the series so far is Sovereign. I'll never forget that scene where Henry VIII's massive procession advances towards Shardlake and his friends, and then the King humiliates him in front of everyone. Brilliant!

[Carine]

I just read the first book up to now, which is Dissolution but I enjoyed it a lot.
My partner read all 4 and really loved them all.

[Madeleine]

I've also only read the first book so far, planning on reading the second one after I've finished my current book. Enjoyed Dissolution. Not sure what's happening with the proposed TV series though.

[EC2]

Self and dh read the first one and both enjoyed it but with certain meh moments. I've read book 2 now though and thought it was a fine improvement. Went up from a four star to a five in my estimation. Dh has read both 2 and 3 and is now hooked.
Verdict from this end is that it's a good series that only gets better. Well worth buying.

[drspoon]

Thanks, It sounds like this series will go on my list.

[cw gortner]

Wanted to add in my four cents: I love this series. The second one, Dark Fire, is my overall favorite so far but the most recent one, Revelation, is creepy and had me on the edge of my seat. Well worth the investment; Shardlake is a conflicted and flawed lead, and the mysteries aren't just throwaway complements to enhance ambiance. These books are the type that remind me that, yes, we are very fortunate to be living in the 21st century. Sansom's Tudor England is claustrophobic and dangerous; and he doesn't glamour it up for the nobility, either.

[alice]

For those of you in the UK, Sansom was on Bookclub on the Radio on Sunday. You can catch his question and answer session with an audience on the BBC iPLAYER. I think he mentioned what happened with the proposed series, but I've forgotten what he said . It's only been a few days, so that's a bit worrying .