Told from the fictitious point of view of Thomas, Wolsey, The Cardinal details Wolsey's life from boyhood to death. The son of an innkeeper and butcher, Thomas is sent to school young and works his way through Oxford and becomes a priest, fulfilling his father's dying wish. Thomas, however, has greater aspirations and begins his journey towards royal patronage. At one point he ends up the most powerful man in England (next to Henry VIII) but is undone by Henry's obsession with Anne Boleyn. He had the luck to die before he could be put on trial but one wonders what would have happened if he hadn't.

This was an engaging read and it was good to have Thomas as the main narrator. I know much about his role in Tudor England and the setting but not much about him. I feel this portrayed him and his possible motives in a sympathetic light.

In her afterword, Alison Weir comments that, rather than focusing on the politics of the time period, she wanted to present a portrait of Tom Wolsey, the man. But by deemphasizing the politics, Wolsey comes off as a weak, sentimental, albeit bright man whose many accolades and positions seemed to fall into his lap; who was paralyzed by his love for his mistress Joan Larke, and who was blinded by his trust in Henry VIII and thus ignored many of the dangers swirling around him. I believe it would have been possible to tell Wolsey’s story while still acknowledging his adeptness at politics and his reputation as a shrewd manipulator while still telling us more about his private life. As it is, we get undue detail on what was served for dinner, what everyone wore, and long discourses on how he wept while he was forced to be away from Joan. And, we don't hear about some of Wolsey's accomplishments that transcend politics, like his patronage of the arts and his founding of Ipswich College.

For me, the strongest section of the book was the last third, when Henry VII was fighting the Pope to get his marriage to Catherine the Great annulled so he could marry Anne Boleyn. This material can hardly be conveyed unless the politics are included, and Weir paints a tragic portrait of a man who is incapable of negotiating matters that don't come easily to him.

This was an immersing read and well researched. Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love the Tutor time period, and Alison Weir does an excellent job bringing historical fiction to life. I enjoyed reading about Cardinal Wolsey and getting a different perspective of the time. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy!

I am always the first to jump on an Alison Weir historical fiction for obvious reasons. This was no difference. This book takes a close look at the life of Thomas Wolsey, who is often a secondary character in historical fiction books from the Tudor era. However, this takes a hard look at him head on, and provides an amazingly well-researched and compelling story following his life and providing a sympathetic look at his actions. In so many books he is painted as manipulative, overreaching, and worldly. However, this book takes a different approach and sees him through the lens of attempting to save his own skin in a very tenuous situation at the court of Henry VIII.

Not only does the book look at his life, it provides an interesting insight to the usual main characters and looks at them through the eyes of someone essentially "outside" the court intrigue. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for fresh insight into the Tudor era, fans of Weir's other works, and those who loved Wolf Hall.

I would absolutely highly recommend this book.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of The Cardinal. Ms. Weir brings to life the story of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in this highly researched novel. Filled with lots of explicit details, this book reads more like a biography than historical fiction. For those interested in England's religious history, this is a must-read.

With The Cardinal, Alison Weir has once again shown why she is the master of historical fiction. This time she has taken a major historical figure, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and has made him a living, breathing person. Using meticulous research as her guide and beginning at age 11, Ms. Weir shows us the amazing life Wolsey lived.

Cardinal Wolsey is presented as a person, not just as Henry VIII’s fixer who failed. Whether or not this is an accurate portrayal of him, it does show a more rounded version of the person we find in any story of Henry. It’s also interesting to see other people of the time show up in Wolsey’s life, (i.e. Queen Elizabeth’s half-brother Thomas Grey) and the parts they play.

While the first half of the book has its moments and is truly interesting, it’s in the second half when Anne Boleyn appears on the scene that the story really takes off. Seeing Wolsey working hard to make all of Henry’s wishes come true and the toll it takes on him is eye-opening. But at the same time, we never forget Wolsey’s number one priority is always himself. When it all comes crashing down, who is really at fault?

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

I am an avid reader of Tudor historical fiction, and was delighted to receive a copy of this in advance of its publication date. Thank you NetGalley. I thought focusing on Thomas Wolsey was a unique and interesting choice by the author. He was an important advisor to King Henry VIII and, although a flawed man - often scheming and self-dealing - sacrificed much for his king. His reference to Anne Boleyn as the “night crow” was telling and, perhaps, apt given the havoc she wreaked upon the court, and his marriage to Katherine of Aragon. (Query whether there is any evidence that he in fact called her that or was that artistic license?) This is a well-written and thoughtful account of Wolsey’s life. Bravo.

The Cardinal by Alison Weir tells the story of Thomas Wolsey, who became the advisor/confident of King Henry VIII. A well researched book. However, the beginning writing felt choppy and didn’t come together until the middle of the story. The author gives an excellent telling of his life. His humble beginnings, his ambition for power and wealth, his love for Joan. If you’re a fan of this time period, this is a good read. Thanks to NetGalley Review for this ARC book.

Alison Weir “The Cardinal”

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me a copy of this ebook.

The title speaks for itself. Even with minimal dive into The Tudors, anyone will not miss the mighty Thomas Wolsey, the Cardinal and Henry VIII’s trusted advisor. “The butcher’s son” as jealous courtiers called him. The ruler for young Henry VIII, who did not want to be bothered with boring state matters. The builder of Hampton Court, which he gifted to the King. The solver of all issues, except one, the fatal one - marriage annulment for Henry and Katherine of Aragon. And his fall from favor and sad demise....

Love all Alison Weir books, non-fiction and fiction alike. Fictional accounts bring opportunity to explore historical characters behind the known facts. And the book shows us the unknown time - when Tom is 11yo and is studying at Oxford. His fond memories of the parents, of first grammar school, schoolmates and mischiefs peek into the life of young talented boy from low origins. His eagerness and pleasure to study feed his ambitions, though no one could have predicted whom he will become.
His ambitions brought him to the highest point of his career, which envied the nobles and irritated the common people. But was it only ambition and greed?
I learned, that he needed 4-5 hours of sleep and still could be productive for 10-12 hours!
Rather very hardworking person, striving under pressure, eager to solve issues, serve the king and bring peace and prosperity to England.

Enjoyable and informative fictional account of the life of The Cardinal. Highly recommended.

Any time you read Alison Weir you are in for a treat. I felt like I was walking behind the Cardinal and because of that I have a little more understanding of him and why he made the choices he did.

This novel brings Cardinal Wolsey's life into the light. I was unaware of so many things about his private life that are presented here in such detail that it has to be fiction; we can't know what happened behind closed doors 500 years ago. If you think you know the Cardinal because you've read novels about the Tudor kings and queens, think again.

Alison Weir is an expert on Tudor history, which she uses to craft a novel that feels immersive in the time period. It almost feels like you've stepped into the TARDIS and gone back in time.

Recommended for historical fiction fans, especially those that are interested in the Tudor era.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Ballentine Press for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I have read several of Alison Weir's books and have enjoyed them, This is no exception. I really had felt that I had read everything there was to know about Henry the 8th and his attempt to have his marriage to Katherine of Aragon annulled so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. This book, however, brings to life the character of Cardinal Wolsey , as I have never read it before. It is a fully realized story of a man, who was raised well above his station , and his fall from grace. It is also a story of forbidden love, but not of the King and Anne, but of Tom Wolsey and Joan Larke. They loved each other ,and had a life together, in spite of his vows as a priest. They had a family, and love. It is a complex story , of a complex man, in a complex time. I am glad that I read it.

This book is perfect for the Wolf Hall fan who is wanting more! This book is a very thorough and detailed account of the life of Cardinal Wolsey and his relationship with king Henry VIII .

I received this e-book for free in exchange for an honest review. I am a big fan of Alison Weir's novels, and this one did not fall short. It even made me have some sympathy towards Cardinal Wolsey, something I would not necessarily have expected. Weir largely remained true to known facts, and did not romanticize the extent to which the quest for power drove Wolsey's choices, however, she did include details that humanize him (somewhat). I have read a lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction, regarding the Tudor era, and was familiar with the broad outlines of Wolsey's life, yet I learned new facts about him with this story. A worthwhile read for those with an interest in the era and/or the man.

There’s a fine line between drowning in details and moving the plot forward that some authors struggle with in historical fiction. The history Weir presents about Cardinal Wolsey and his rise and subsequent fall from grace is too much the former - it is very thorough, and, at times, unfortunately dull. I almost feel like she wanted to write this as a biography, but too little was known about some aspects (his relationship with Joan, his private conversations with Henry VIII, etc.,) that fiction was the more enchanting route for her. I’m glad I read this book, but wish the writing had been more engaging and less repetitive and stagnant.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this work.

Read this book in just a few sittings. I love historical fiction, and have a fondness for stories of Henry VIII England. The plot was well crafted and the characters well drawn. Overall, a great book.

I was “all in” for 3/4 of this book. Then…. It became a task. It took too much time, in my opinion, for Woolsey, who was in favor with the King, then not so sure he was in favor, then not in favor, then back in favor and on and on and on! This book was so well researched and interesting but too long. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for granting this book for review. All opinions are my own. #TheCardinal, #NetGalley

Binged this book in two days! I am a huge fan of both Alison Weir's fiction and non-fiction - in fact almost all I know about the Tudor period (and I know a great deal) I've learned from her. The Cardinal did not disappoint. As in all her books it is both well written and well researched. Most of what I'd previously read on Cardinal Wosley was never very flattering. Dr. Weir's approach is much more balanced and at times it's even sympathetic at times. Despite that I had a much greater understanding of just how wealthy and powerful the Church had become. There wad definitely a need for reform though it was done with the Tudor equivalent of Elon Musk's chain saw. Heartily recommend this book for Tudor buffs, especially if all you know about Wosley series The Tudors:, Read The Cardinal instead!

"In this "immersive tale of Tudor intrigue" (Publishers Weekly), the New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIII's chief adviser - until the king accused him of treason.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings coincided with young Henry VIII's ascension to the throne in 1509. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling figure in all matters of church and state.

Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly well until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn - the woman whom Wolsey would one day call "the night crow" - and sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of "the Divorce," Wolsey, who had successfully given his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible situation. As he drew the ire of the future queen, the cardinal found his privileged life and his relationship with Henry crumbling around him.

Alison Weir's poignant novel tells the story of Wolsey the man - his incredible rise to power and his tragic fall. She delves beyond the splendor and political machinations of the Tudor court to reveal the secrets of Wolsey's private life, the mistress and children he was devoted to, and the tragedy that overtook them. It is a tale of two women, one who loved him and one who hated him - and also a tale of two men, king and commoner, the special, deep-rooted bonds that brought them together and the forces that drove them apart."

If you're like me and still suffering from Wolf Hall withdrawal, this is the book for you.

This is an amazingly researched historical novel based on Thomas Wolsey (the right hand of King Henry VIII). The writing is superb and I just fell in love with this story.

Most of us have heard of his demise but I learned so much about Wolsey's rise to power. The book is so detailed and engaging. In this story, I can hear his voice as he marches his way from his humble beginnings to the man behind the King's power.

His character is so detailed from his own thoughts and feelings, the acknowledgment of his weaknesses and his strengths. It's a man who seeks power at the cost of happiness. I loved the depth of his feelings as well as his presence and thoughts through some of the most notable times during the reign of Henry VIII.

It's a look back into history and the author has peeled back the veil.

Excellent book. Stunning.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!