I read this in preparation to my visit to the newly reopened Hunterian in London. This short, brutal novel weaves the lives and deaths of John Hunter and one of his specimens--all were reluctant but O'Brien requested specifically not to end up in Hunter's hands after his death. For years, even in my lifetime, his skeleton was displayed int the museum against his wishes. Perhaps one of the few improvements in the new museum's curation--he is no longer exhibited. His wishes finally respected. POSSIBLE SPOILER? The women characters in the book (2-3 minor characters) endure the most horrific sexual violence and humiliation. I don't even know how that was adding to this grim book in any way. I really dislike the idea that women characters have to endure rape and torture to convince a reader that things are 'really dark'. I love Mantel's writing but because of this I feel it difficult to recommend the book.