Is this on?

 *taps mic* 

*blows dust off*

*clears cobwebs*

Now that that's over, let me proceed to the reason for this nth resurrection. 

I have recently finished reading the third book in Hilary Mantel's amazing trilogy on the life of Thomas Cromwell, "The Mirror & The Light," and cannot stop raving about it to anyone who would care to listen. It took me almost 10 months to finish this masterpiece (you'd think one would have more free time for leisure reading because of the lockdown, but no, not really) but it was SO worthwhile, I can't even begin to describe how I love the book. It may seem a little tedious to read at first, what with all the extended events and details, but I realized in the end how important that they're in the storyline. Aside from filling in with fiction certain details that are missing in our history books, the particulars fittingly supplied by Mantel help the reader understand the plight of Cromwell and, in a way, see him in an entirely different perspective. Of course, the work is entirely fictional albeit largely based on historical people, places, and events. But you get a sense of compassion, of rage, of sympathy towards these historical people, and imagine how things must have gone down more than 500 years ago. 

For historical fiction readers, this trilogy is a must-read. Two consecutive Booker prizes and a nomination ought to convince you, I think.