The Tudor era is one of my special interests, and, with Reginald Pole being a character I find particularly fascinating, I'd hoped to love this book. Though it is historically accurate, and provides points of view which are quite enriching to a broad picture of the time, I found the style of writing and plot to be rather boring.

What a beautiful book! Beckett paints a rich portrait of Reformation England, giving the reader rare and valuable insights into the interior realms of monastic life. I found it both elegant and moving. I wish I was still reading it for the first time!

Like the previous reviewer articulated this book truely weaves fictional and historical events to create a beautiful book which conveys the sadness of a world torn apart by religion and politics. Both Catholics and Protestants are presented with their strengths and warts and the complicated political and social factors involved in the reformation/counter reformation and eventual Anglican independence, are presented to help expalin how this tragic moment of history happened. May also give us the insight to prevent denominational squabbles that exist today if the message of the book are meditated on.