Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I've read multiple other books by Alison Weir and this fits the bill. It's a pretty accurate representation of Wolsley's life, but told with a rich background of the early Tudor court. Weir does a really nice job covering a few side plots that all wind together into Wolsley's story and ultimate downfall. I also appreciated that she didn't turn this into another story about Anne Boleyn - she really kept her as a fringe character in the book. An easy one to pick up too if you're newer to this time period - the story line picks up right away. If you've ready the Wolf Hall series by Hilary Mantel this is a nice complement to that series since it pick up just before her story begins.

It’s hard to resist reading a piece of work by Alison Weir, especially if you are intrigued by England’s history during the times of King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. Her books are loaded with historical information that is easily readable and engrossing. After residing in England for a number of years, I was quite familiar with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. However, if you have little to no recognition of who he is, reading Weir’s newest work is a great way to slip back in time and learn all about this complex man. Furthermore, I particularly enjoyed her characterization of both King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, two figures of English history that continue to capture our attention.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing an advanced copy via NetGalley. It’s a long read, but Wolsey lived a full and busy life, so there’s a fair bit to cover. These pages will pair well with a goblet full of your favorite beverage while sitting in a garden or by a roaring fire, so you can escape to a time long, long ago.

As someone who’s long been fascinated by Tudor history, I picked up The Cardinal by Alison Weir with high expectations—and I wasn’t disappointed. Weir takes on the towering, often misunderstood figure of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and breathes life into him in a way that genuinely surprised me. Rather than the usual scheming clergyman trope, this Wolsey is ambitious, yes—but also deeply human. He’s driven by love and loyalty, and ultimately undone by the very power he sought to serve.

What really stood out for me was the emotional depth. Wolsey’s secret romantic life added a layer I didn’t expect—bittersweet and tender, contrasting with the cold political maneuverings of Henry VIII’s court. I found myself caring for him in a way I hadn’t anticipated. His relationship with Henry was particularly compelling—almost a tragic friendship, doomed by the roles they had to play.

Alison Weir’s writing is, as always, rich in historical detail. The Tudor world felt vivid and immersive—from the opulence of the court to the quiet, stolen moments in Wolsey’s private life. Occasionally the prose leaned a bit stiff, but honestly, it suited the setting and never pulled me out of the story.

The Cardinal reads almost like a Shakespearean tragedy more than a straight historical novel. If you’re into Tudor history—or just enjoy stories of ambition, downfall, and complex humanity—I highly recommend it. This one lingered with me long after the final page.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
When I heard that Alison Weir’s next Tudor novel would be about Thomas Wolsey, I had mixed feelings. He’s never been my favorite figures of the era, and I was always mainly interested in the politics of the era in terms of how it intersected with domestic issues (given my gateway to loving the era was courtesy of the Six Wives). But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Cardinal, and I love that Weir is really showing the breadth of her knowledge of the era by exploring it from an angle outside of Henry and his wives.
Giving Wolsey (referred to in-text as Tom throughout to distinguish from the myriad other Thomases at court) enough dimension to be sympathetic is a tough task, but Weir accomplishes this. While there are myriad times when I find what he’s doing rather awful, his strong motivations of obtaining political power and remaining in Henry’s good graces remain consistent throughout. These motivations are so strong that he literally fights for them to the end, even when he’s charged with treason and is on his deathbed. His hypocrisy and contradictions are particularly stark, especially with overlaps and parallels in Wolsey and Henry’s respective indiscretions where their illegitimate sons were concerned. However, this was one aspect that connected them and showed how, in spite of the occasional challenges in their relationship, Wolsey had built his reputation on loyalty, making the fall from grace all the more devastating.
And while I knew quite a bit about Wolsey the flawed churchman and statesman (and aspects of this, like his name being put forward as a contender to be pope at one point, were quite fun to read and reflect on given the recent passing of Pope Francis and the start of conclave), I was also intrigued by his private life and how it conflicted with his political ambitions. I didn’t necessarily approve of how he conducted his liaison with Joan, given he couldn’t offer her marriage (and the marriage he later arranged for her was to a man who slut shamed her), but it’s very much in keeping with both his vocation and what was common for the era. And despite the imbalance of power, I liked that she did attempt to assert herself and set boundaries on occasion, like when she was first married, although even then things weren’t over and remained complicated between them.
Weir’s anti-Anne Boleyn bias is fairly well-known, and has tainted various works where she prominently features. However, while there are aspects of that here, as while Wolsey is never explicitly anti-Anne, her issues with him for breaking up her betrothal to Henry Percy are legendary at this point, and while he almost never explicitly goes one way or the other, trying to remain objective, Anne is widely disliked by the Court, and this bleeds through in the opinions from other characters.
Given that my reading experience with Weir was incredibly slow-paced, I did worry this would be more of the same. However, I found most of this book very engaging, and fairly fast paced. I enjoyed seeing a lot of familiar events from Wolsey’s perspective and his impact on them (my favorite being his intervention on behalf of Henry’s sister Mary and Charles Brandon after their secret marriage). Ironically, in spite of this being so pivotal to his story and downfall, I found the chapters concerning the Great Matter, especially in 1528-30, to be a slog at times. I did feel a sense of dread knowing what would come, but this was the part where I also felt the least invested, so the last 20-ish% was almost a slog in comparison to the rest of the book. Maybe some of it was purely psychological, because of what I knew was coming, but it felt like that portion dragged way more for me than any other section.
This was an unexpected surprise for me, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy the Tudors and want a different perspective on the era.

The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir was a captivating read that I just couldn’t put down. From the very first page, I was drawn into the rich historical setting and the complex characters, especially the central figure whose journey is both powerful and deeply human.

Weir does an incredible job weaving together the politics, romance, and intrigue of the time, making the historical backdrop come to life. I found myself completely invested in the story, eager to see how everything would unfold. The tension, the emotional stakes, and the intricate relationships kept me turning pages long into the night.

Cardinal Wolsey is one of the most famous cardinals in all of history. His actions in regards to The Great Matter shaped much of Western civilization. He was the favored advisor of the English King Henry VIII who was unable to give the monarch the annulment he so desired. Despite dying in disgrace, he was not lost to history. Here is a story of what the powerful man might have thought, the internal demons he fought, and the goals he strove to obtain. 
I have to admit that the only viewpoint I had really viewed The Great Matter was through the eyes of either the king himself or the wives impacted by it. (In case you don't know, The Great Matter is the annulment of Henry's marriage to Kathrine of Aragon and his desire to marry Anne Boleyn.) This was a great opportunity to look at it through the Cardinal's eyes and see his life through the view of a man who longed for power and riches and everything a man of God shouldn't. 
Starting with his life as a young boy, the reader is taken from his humble home to the top of the social status in England. We get insight into this thoughts as he considers the church and the dreams he has for his future as well as his conflict when he falls in love. In researching a few key events and people, I found the author did a very good job in following along historically while giving the reader a glimpse into the fictional thoughts the cardinal might have had that kept with the personality revealed in his paperwork and those who interacted with him. I learned quite a few new things I was unaware of until I began researching the history myself. This didn't detract from the story itself. In fact, I think it helped it as I saw the historical foundation the author worked from. 
Cardinal Wolsey was a very complicated man, not entirely good nor evil. He did what he could for the king he loved, but he could never do enough to keep all his power and riches. 
A great read for all historical fiction lovers. You'll find yourself looking for more info on the man and those around him in the nonfiction sections after you read this book.

An interesting historical read about Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. I didn't know much about that era or the political scene in the 40s and 50s. This book is all about Thomas. The book begins when he is only 11 years old. He was ambitious and very intelligent. The book depicted his life from early years with a humble background to his rise in a powerful position, where he can live his life in luxury and gained prominent influence in political matters at the time. His life is divided into parts, showing different milestones in his life. I found the book slow paced and some situations over fictionalized. The writing style is very understandable and easy-to-read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This is my historical nerd realm, but I was struggling. Something in the writing is grating on my nerves. What makes it worse is that I cannot name specifically what it is that is irritating. So I gave it a break and set it aside for a couple of days. But when I came back to it all I felt was annoyed and irritated when I looked at the page.

Alison Weir’s "The Cardinal" offers a detailed account of Thomas Wolsey’s rise from modest origins to preeminence in Henry VIII's court. Set against the volatile backdrop of early Tudor England, the novel maps Wolsey’s ascent through the Church and the State and his eventual collapse under the weight of court politics, shifting loyalties, and the King's unmet expectations.

Weir is on firm ground when dealing with the machinery of power, its rewards, resentments, and ruthlessness. She captures the political volatility of the period with clarity and an eye for personal consequence. Many historical events are effectively embedded in the narrative, and the figures who move through it, such as Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, and others. However, the choice to modernize the language often flattens the historical texture. While it may improve accessibility, it also undermines the period atmosphere and sometimes makes intimate court scenes feel jarringly contemporary.

A structural issue that becomes more apparent as the novel progresses is its heavy reliance on exposition over dramatization. Rather than immersing the reader in the immediacy of key historical moments, Weir often opts to summarize them, telling us what happened and what it meant, rather than allowing events to unfold through scene, dialogue, or sensory detail. As a result, the novel sometimes resembles a dramatized chronicle more than a fully realized work of historical fiction. The reliance on exposition dampens narrative momentum and distances readers from the emotional stakes of the period’s most consequential episodes.

The novel is most persuasive when it focuses on the complex relationship between Wolsey and the King. Here, Weir draws on the rich material of George Cavendish’s account to evoke a strategic and emotionally charged bond, a closeness that adds poignancy to Wolsey’s fall. The balance of power, favor, and fear is deftly rendered, and these scenes carry an intensity that the broader narrative sometimes lacks.

More problematic is Weir’s speculative portrayal of Wolsey’s personal life, particularly his relationship with Joan Larke and their children. Despite authorial claims of transparency and caution, the invented material occupies substantial narrative space and veers into melodrama. These speculative elements are not lightly interwoven but form a parallel plot that, rather than illuminating historical silence, risks distorting the portrait of a man whose real-life contradictions were compelling enough. The emotional arc crafted around Joan may humanize Wolsey, but it does so at the cost of historical plausibility.

"The Cardinal" is an ambitious novel that succeeds in many respects as a dramatization of early Tudor power politics. Its core achievement lies in its exploration of the vulnerability that underpins even the greatest heights of authority. While serious students of the period may find the historical liberties frustrating, readers seeking an accessible entry point to Tudor court intrigue will find much to appreciate in Weir's sympathetic portrayal of a complex figure whose ambition was matched only by his fall. But it remains a novel divided between fidelity to source material and the temptations of narrative embellishment. In choosing to fictionalize what is least known about Wolsey and summarize what is most historically vivid, Weir leaves the reader informed but rarely transported.

This review is based on an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

This work of historical fiction provides a look into the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. I enjoyed learning about a historical figure in English history that I didn't know as much about compared to Henry VIII and his wives. It was interesting learning about Wolsey's rise from humble begins, his ambition resulting in the large role he had in royal affairs and extreme wealth, and his relationship with Joan Larke. The book was compelling, but dragged on a bit in the middle, though admittedly I'm not a Tudor history super fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Cardinal by Alison Weir

Thomas Wolsey’s rise to power and wealth under the reign of King Henry VIII is a fascinating story. Wolsey gains the confidence of young Harry as his spiritual advisor and remains his confidant throughout their lives- until an annulment for the king and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, never materializes.

Alison Weir is a great writer of historical fiction and eliminates no facts just because they may be ugly. Vows of the priesthood are broken as are the vows of marriage by the king. It’s a tell-all story any reader will enjoy. Four stars for this novel about the 1500s England, King Henry VIII and his right hand man and confidant Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.. This story starts will 11 year old Thomas Wolsey and ends with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey being disgraced. Everything in between I found interesting and wanted to continue reading but I found that this book was way to long and detailed. I enjoyed the story but I found I had to pick it up then take a break and read something else then come back to it. It took me almost a month to get through it. It was just too much unnecessary information for me but overall I liked the story.....Enjoy!!!!

The amazing story of the rise and the fall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Many authors have written about the many colorful characters surrounding Henry VIII, but Wolsey’s story has been neglected by fiction writers until now.

Alison Weir’s narrative history of Cardinal Wolsey offers a comprehensive and highly accessible account of one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in Henry VIII’s court. Tracing his life from humble beginnings to his dramatic fall, Weir places Wolsey squarely at the center of Tudor politics, highlighting both his extraordinary rise and the impossible tasks he was expected to fulfill—chief among them, securing Henry VIII’s annulment from Katherine of Aragon.

Weir excels at demystifying the complex political and ecclesiastical maneuvers that often get glossed over in other histories or dramatizations. Her thoughtful examination allows readers to fully grasp the immense pressure Wolsey faced, while also appreciating the extent of his influence on English and European history. This is a compelling portrait of a man who shaped a kingdom—and paid the price for it.

Thoroughly researched historical fiction that takes you through Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's life - faith, power, love, undoing.
This book is a bit of a time investment, but paints a picture of life in court and all that goes with the role of the crown, the church, etc. I also thought it was interesting that this paints a very real picture of the time of men in the church having a family (mistress, children, etc.).
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

The Cardinal
by Alison Weir
Pub Date: May 27 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Cardinal by Alison Weir, is a magnificent Historical fiction.
An intimate look into the life of Thomas Wolsey. Alison Weir takes readers by hand as she dives into the humble beginnings of a precocious and extremely intelligent young boy to the incredible English statesman and Catholic cardinal. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. Meticulously researched this fictional account breathes life into the man who served as Lord Chancellor and Cardinal. This ambitious man became a close confidant to Henry VIII. Seen through Wolsey’s eyes the book is a coming of age, and shows the rise and fall of one of the most remembered religious figures in English history.

This was so good! I have been intrigued by the life of Cardinal Wolsey, so reading historical fiction about him by an expert was so nice! His childhood into early adulthood was so interesting, and then how he came into the priesthood and gained more and more power. There was so little to do with the church, but so much to do with politics and power, and the rise and fall of a powerful person. I have mostly read non-fiction by this author, but I definitely plan to read more of her fiction books about other people from this time!

I absolutely loved this book by Alison Weir! Like many others, I am a fan of books, plays, movies etc. concerning the subject of Henry VIII and his ill-fated queens. I, however, had never given any attention to his most famous cardinal, Thomas Wolsley. Alison Weir brings him to life in the aptly named book The Cardinal. We follow his life from beginning to end focusing not only on his life, but his innermost desires and wants. We learn of his humble beginnings in Ipswich as a member of the merchant class, a son of a butcher, and trace his rise all the way to second in command to Henry VIII as Lord High Chancellor.

I knew almost nothing about him when I started reading and by the end I was invested in his life and his fate. Weir allows us to see him as more than an unfortunate side note in the history of Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. In this wonderful novel, we trace his life; seeing him first as boy in a loving home, then as a young student, then as a vibrant young man filled with the desires of youth and finally as a weakened man facing the end result of his ambitions. As I read, there were times when I wanted to shout to him to choose love, not fame, glory, and riches. His life is almost allegorical in the way that we see him place his love for Henry and his love for his material possessions and position above his relationships time and time again.

Weir made me care about this dusty old figure in history more than I thought possible. I have since gone back and rewatched Wolf Hall on PBS and other documentaries and focussed with renewed appreciation on Thomas Wolsley
This is a novel about choices, ambitions, passions, sacrifices, and love both true and misguided. It's truly got something for everyone.

The question for me remains was Thomas Wolsley an Icarus who perished because he flew too close to the sun?

Thank you to Netgalley , the author and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Cardinal" shifts our Tudor gaze from the usual royal spectacle to the man who quietly orchestrated much of it from behind the scenes. In Wolsey, Weir finds not just Henry VIII's puppet master but a fascinatingly contradictory character whose own story rivals any royal drama.

The son of a Suffolk tradesman transforms before our eyes from a reluctant eleven-year-old Oxford scholar into the second most powerful man in England. Weir's prose places you right in the shadowy corridors of Hampton Court, where Wolsey—initially hesitant to don clerical robes—masterfully pulls political strings while the tapestries absorb every whispered secret. This isn't just period drama—it's psychological exploration.

Wolsey's devotion to Henry VIII practically leaps from the page, a loyalty so complete it borders on fatherly love. Yet his intellectual brilliance fosters an ambition that couldn't be contained by even his cardinal's hat. The tension between serving his king and serving himself creates the narrative's beating heart, making his inevitable fall all the more devastating when it comes.

What makes this portrait so refreshing is how Weir reimagines Wolsey's private life through historical evidence rather than mere speculation. His forbidden family—the woman he loved, the children he fathered—adds psychological depth rarely seen in Tudor fiction. The dual existence he maintains—public cardinal, private lover and father—creates one of the book's most tender yet troubling dynamics.

By the final page, Wolsey emerges from history's footnotes fully formed—ambitious yet vulnerable, powerful yet ultimately powerless against Tudor politics. If you hunger for historical fiction that transforms dusty historical figures into flesh-and-blood humans grappling with impossible choices, "The Cardinal" is a must-read.

Thank you, Ballantine Books and NetGalley, for my free E-ARC for review.

Alison Weir’s The Cardinal is a sweeping tale of a Cardinal Wolsey in the court of Henry VIII. It’s evocative and full of the intrigue of the court. Unfortunately, Wolsey comes off for much of the book as flat; an ambitious courtier who happens into much of his good luck, which seems odd given the position he ultimately achieved. Even his great passion for his mistress, Joan Larke, seems to come out of nowhere.
For fans of Wolf Hall looking for a new vantage point, this book fits the bill.