Hilary Mantel, David Runciman and Helen Thompson: ‘Exercising Power’

Hilary Mantel talks to David Runciman and Helen Thompson about the politics of the Tudor court, revolutionary France, royal bodies and more, to mark the publication in paperback of ‘Mantel Pieces’.
Buy Mantel Pieces from us here: lrb.me/mantelpiecesyt
Read more by Hilary Mantel in the LRB: www.lrb.co.uk/contributors/hi...
This was a live recording of the 'Talking Politics' podcast: www.talkingpoliticspodcast.com/
ABOUT THE LONDON REVIEW BOOKSHOP
Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, just a Rosetta Stone’s throw from the British Museum, the London Review Bookshop has established itself as an essential part of the capital’s cultural life. Opened in 2003 by the London Review of Books, it’s a place for people who love books to meet, talk, drink excellent tea and coffee, consume delicious cake, and of course, browse.
Our selection of more than 20,000 titles ranges from the classics of world literature to the cutting edge of contemporary fiction and poetry, not forgetting a copious display of history, politics, philosophy, cookery, essays and children’s books. And our lovely shop, designed by Amanda Culpin of utility provides the perfect setting in which to explore them all.
THE CAKE SHOP
Surrounded by books and fragrant with tea, the London Review Cake Shop is the modern answer to London’s long-lost literary coffee-houses. Accessed through the Bookshop via a corridor in the history section, the Cake Shop offers a small but vibrant menu, a wide selection of fine teas and a superior espresso. Above all, it provides a haven for reading and reflection.
The London Review Bookshop and Cake Shop are open Monday- Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. The Bookshop is also open on Sunday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
14 Bury Place, London WC1A 2JL. Tel. [phone]

[@maryw246]

What a loss the literally world has suffered. Not only was she a wonderful author, she was a wonderful speaker and communicator.

[@teamcrumb]

Hilary is endlessly wonderful!

[@maz4388]

such a loss for us all!

[@mohsinrao4334]

Simply brilliant!

[@mountpleasantmusic]

That zoom at 58 minutes in.

[@fastkarr8256]

@Jonathan Philips when she says she was a self aware little creature?

[@lucianopavarotti2843]

@45:31 a bit intrusive....

[@jolantahill787]

Yes poor posture and no flowers for Hilary💐

[@PocketSatan]

Excellent, apart from the host stupidly rephrasing perfectly coherent intelligent questions from the audience. When I was listening to the Wolf HAll books, I kept thinking "Does Hilary want us to like Cromwell? really?" and realised that I won't fall for it. I loved the books but don't share her admiration for him. I realised that he is fascinating for others but boring for me. To me he is a workaholic. Such people can be really ruthless, utterly functional, totally unretrospective, and they walk over others. Their brilliance is used to destroy.

[@Thomas...191]

That is the nature of those who are able to weild power. Its all in "the Prince" I suppose. Do you feel the same reprehension towards everyone in politics?

[@francesca9423]

i feel like this is a rather simplistic look at cromwell. He could be very ruthless and did some horrible things, that's absolutely true. but his interest in welfare and social reform (where many other ministers didnt seem to care at all) imo shows him to have been more than simply self-serving or destructive. if you read non-fiction about him theres more to any person than solely being a 'workaholic'. he did so much work, yes, but in personality he seems to have been quite the opposite of 'utterly functional' theres also nothing to 'fall for' in the books, imo. so long as you remember it's 1. Just fiction and 2. through his eyes. he's not an objective narrator haha