In the High Peaks
















Thursday, November 19, 2015

A Quickie Post Today: Thomas Cromwell

Frustrating for me, for sure, but I haven't been a ball of fire since I returned home from caring for Mom. Zero energy at the moment, yet late November and December have always been low-energy times for me. I attribute it to the lack of light. It really affects me. How about you?

I lay Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel to rest this afternoon. What a difficult subject. I feel the impossible position that Cromwell's choices have led him to over the years, one compounding upon the next, leading him to a virtual dungeon from which he can never return. Based on his choices,  he can never go back to his days when he was an innocent admirer of Cardinal Wolsey. He can never go back to the days when he was the happy father and husband. Death always intervenes, whether due to pestilence or spurious ambition. He knows he is a doomed man. In no way can he escape the noose tightening around his neck. I await, shivering, the third volume of the trilogy.


2 comments:

  1. My MIL always struggled with low energy and depression at this time of the year, and I'm certain the lack of light was a contributing factor. I hate that my automatic 'dusk lights' come on before 4:30... such short days just make me want to hibernate! After caring for your mother, it sounds like you have a good reason to be tired!

    It's been a few years since I read Wolf Hall and really must continue with Bring Up the Bodies before the third book is released...

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  2. Thank you for your caring words, Jo Ann. They help a great deal. It's paradoxical that a part of me also actually enjoys the all-encompassing darkness at this time of year. I love to light a candle and write my thoughts in near-darkness, for example. There's also something wonderful in the self-reflection that I'm drawn to at this time of year. But I guess my brain craves the spring and summer bright!

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