I read them in a very strange order, started with Sovereign, then Revelation, then managed to get Dark Fire from the library and then finally got round to reading Dissolution when I borrowed it from my mum. In all honesty, if I had read Dissolution first I may not have bothered with the rest of the series. Not that Dissolution is bad, but IMO it's definitely the weakest of the series and it didn't really grip me. I'm very much looking forward to Heartstone though.
I have read them all and have started again at Dissolution recently. I adore the character and think the books are excellently written, you can almost smell Tudor England coming off the page. Dissolution is definitely the weakest of the books but it is still a brilliant read, with twists and turns galore. The nice thing is that Shardlake loses a part of his faith as a result of the goings which certainly gives the books an authenticity they would otherwise lack.
I think my second favourite character after Shardlake himself is Guy, what a great character!
I'm just starting on the audio versions again - I've heard them before, but probably a year or so ago now. I thought I'd listen to them before the new one comes out. They're read by Anton Lesser, and he's perfect for them. I'm listening in bed, and I'm half way through Dissolution. I'd forgotten about Mark Poer! He wasn't a very interesting character, was he? I'm glad Barak came along in the next book, he's far more entertaining.
I've recently started reading this series. I loaned the first book from the library, got halfway through and immediately ordered the rest. I now have the 4 at the side of me and the 5th on order.
I'm going to wait for the paperback I think, although I am desperate to read it.
My mother and I had a long conversation about Shardlake last night, and were wishing they'd sort out a tv version. We decided to cast Tom Hollander as Shardlake.
P.S Have you ordered from Play.com before? If so, do you usually get the books before the release date? If that's the norm then I'll use Play.com instead of Amazon.
I've loved the Shardlake books but must confess that the most recent, Revelation, has been my least favourite.
I'm hoping that Heartstone is back to the unputdownable levels of the first three in the series.
That said, I know many others loved Revelation .. There were just elements of it that I didn't like - in particular, the turn in direction that some of the characters took.
I'm going to wait for the paperback I think, although I am desperate to read it.
My mother and I had a long conversation about Shardlake last night, and were wishing they'd sort out a tv version. We decided to cast Tom Hollander as Shardlake.
Supposedly there is going to be a TV version with Kenneth Branagh as Shardlake, commissioned by the BBC.
I can't picture Hollander as Shardlake, although he's the right age (and Branagh's probably a bit old) I think he's too good looking to be Shardlake.
Last I heard, the Branagh Shardlake was 'on hold'.
I can't picture Tom Hollander as Shardlake either. I've always pictured Jason Isaacs as Shardlake, but then I picture Jason Isaacs a lot:o, but he's going to play Jackson Brodie, another of my detective crushes.
I'd heard about Branagh, and I do love him, but I think he's too old, and too healthy looking! I'm sure Matthew is described as being quite slight and small, which is why we thought of Tom Hollander. He needs to be someone with a NICE face, I think, as in kind looking, and possibly a bit weak. He needs to be a contrast to a tall, strong, very sexual looking Barak.
P.S Have you ordered from Play.com before? If so, do you usually get the books before the release date? If that's the norm then I'll use Play.com instead of Amazon.
i always use play.com and yep usually get what i order in advance of the release date, be it a book dvd or pc game... dont know how they do it but i love them lol
I've just ordered the first of the Shardlake books - can't wait for it to get here, been wanting to try the series for a while having read plenty of good things about them here.
I'd heard about Branagh, and I do love him, but I think he's too old, and too healthy looking! I'm sure Matthew is described as being quite slight and small, which is why we thought of Tom Hollander. He needs to be someone with a NICE face, I think, as in kind looking, and possibly a bit weak. He needs to be a contrast to a tall, strong, very sexual looking Barak.
As the books are written in the first person we don't really get a description of Matthew. I don't recall him being described as small and slight, though that may be my poor memory. I know he does talk about looking up at people, but I'd assumed this was because of his bent back.The only mention of his face that I can recall is in Dissolution when he remarks that he has angular features. Oh, and that he has nearly a full set of teeth.
Last I heard, the Branagh Shardlake was 'on hold'.
I can't picture Tom Hollander as Shardlake either. I've always pictured Jason Isaacs as Shardlake, but then I picture Jason Isaacs a lot:o, but he's going to play Jackson Brodie, another of my detective crushes.
He does look a lot like I imagine Jackson Brodie.:D Good casting
I read Dissolution first when it first came out and hated it. Then, several years later and I was laid up with a ruptured disc in my back so I borrowed Revelation from the library. It was fantastic so I read Dark Fire and Sovereign and now I can't wait for Heartstone!
I wasnt going to read these as I don't tend to like historically set novels - I have had a few bad experiences.
However, a friend persuaded me to read "pillars of the earth" and "world without end" both set in similar times and they are two of the best books I have ever read.
The same friend has now said "well if you liked those, you will also like the Shardlake books" so I have bought myself a copy of the first one and will be reading it after the next Lee Child book. From the sounds of it, my friend is right again
I'm going to wait for the paperback I think, although I am desperate to read it.
My mother and I had a long conversation about Shardlake last night, and were wishing they'd sort out a tv version. We decided to cast Tom Hollander as Shardlake.
WH Smiths had 'Heartstone' at half price - £9.45 - yesterday. Not much dearer than a paperback if you can't wait - there's even a little metal Tudor bookmark with it!
WH Smiths had 'Heartstone' at half price - £9.45 - yesterday. Not much dearer than a paperback if you can't wait - there's even a little metal Tudor bookmark with it!
It's not the price, it's the size! It's like a breeze block - there's no way it'll fit in my handbag, and there's no way I can hold it in bed.
I have just started Dissolution. Enjoying it so far, although I have to say I'm not as keen on the writing style as I was Ken Follett's. But its shaping up nicely.
Comments
I think my second favourite character after Shardlake himself is Guy, what a great character!
I LOVE this series.
im a real fan of shardlake , love the tudor setting and the characters are gorgeous... i think im in love with matthew
if this series of books doesnt get made into a tv series it would be a travesty...so well written and full of life and detail
long may matthew shardlake reign
and heres hoping cj sansom writes more lol
My mother and I had a long conversation about Shardlake last night, and were wishing they'd sort out a tv version. We decided to cast Tom Hollander as Shardlake.
I love Shardlake & Barak
P.S Have you ordered from Play.com before? If so, do you usually get the books before the release date? If that's the norm then I'll use Play.com instead of Amazon.
I'm hoping that Heartstone is back to the unputdownable levels of the first three in the series.
That said, I know many others loved Revelation .. There were just elements of it that I didn't like - in particular, the turn in direction that some of the characters took.
Supposedly there is going to be a TV version with Kenneth Branagh as Shardlake, commissioned by the BBC.
I can't picture Hollander as Shardlake, although he's the right age (and Branagh's probably a bit old) I think he's too good looking to be Shardlake.
I can't picture Tom Hollander as Shardlake either. I've always pictured Jason Isaacs as Shardlake, but then I picture Jason Isaacs a lot:o, but he's going to play Jackson Brodie, another of my detective crushes.
i always use play.com
As the books are written in the first person we don't really get a description of Matthew. I don't recall him being described as small and slight, though that may be my poor memory. I know he does talk about looking up at people, but I'd assumed this was because of his bent back.The only mention of his face that I can recall is in Dissolution when he remarks that he has angular features. Oh, and that he has nearly a full set of teeth.
He does look a lot like I imagine Jackson Brodie.:D Good casting
P.S 'Revelation' is the best IMHO.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
However, a friend persuaded me to read "pillars of the earth" and "world without end" both set in similar times and they are two of the best books I have ever read.
The same friend has now said "well if you liked those, you will also like the Shardlake books" so I have bought myself a copy of the first one and will be reading it after the next Lee Child book. From the sounds of it, my friend is right again
WH Smiths had 'Heartstone' at half price - £9.45 - yesterday. Not much dearer than a paperback if you can't wait - there's even a little metal Tudor bookmark with it!
It's not the price, it's the size! It's like a breeze block - there's no way it'll fit in my handbag, and there's no way I can hold it in bed.
Does anyone know when the paperback is due out?