I am reading it now. It is quite good, though the dialogue has a contemporary sound.

I've bought it but haven't got around to reading it yet. Glad that people seem to recommend it though 🙂

I'm desparate to read this but as some of you may know I've currently started reading C.J Sansom books but I'm definitely going to get this book. It's always good to know what people think before buying.

I loved Wolf Hall but then I have a soft spot for Thomas Cromwell.

I think I've said elsewhere how much I adore this book but I'll say it again!    

For me Wolf Hall was about so much more than just Cromwell; sometimes I think Hilary Mantel uses Cromwell not just to tell his story but to tell the story of how England stepped into the beginning of the modern age, where men like Wolsey and Cromwell were able to rise as far as they did solely on the basis of their merits rather than being born to it.  If that makes sense!  

I can see how the beginning was slow and sometimes it can be hard to figure out who's speaking etc but definitely stick with it.  Mantel is an intelligent writer and gives credit to her readers for having a brain too, which is nice I think in a historical novel!  The only bad point for me is that it ended where it did – and now I have to wait for the sequel!

DuchessofBrittany said:

Sharon said:

WMJ,

When I first started reading “Wolf Hall” I thought it was a real snoozer.  It was kind of slow going.  I couldn't bring myself to buy into some of the storyline, but I am so glad that I finished it.  Although it is a novel, Hillary Mantel is an historian, and for the most part, she keeps  the book historically accurate. I saw her give an interview about the book.  She was very impressive.  I am not going to give away any details.  When it was done, I was left wanting the rest of the story. The book ends as Henry and Company are on summer progress and are heading to Wolf Hall. The year is 1535.  I am waiting patiently for Mantel to write part two.  Her Cromwell is seen as a man who is good to his family and who is extremely loyal to his King.  I see Cromwell in a different light than I did before I read this book.  I'm sure you will enjoy reading about him.

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I am ashamed to admit I bought Wolf Hall two years ago at Heathrow Airport, and have not read it. I tried, but like Sharon, I found it a bit slow. However, I am going to try again. I usually don't react to books like that.

Sharon, you sold me on trying to get into the book.

I am glad to know Mantel does a different take on Cromwell. I am always conflicted about how I feel about him. I cannot quite pin him down.

LOL…I hope you all enjoy it and don't blame me if you don't, please?

The thing was even after I finished the book I wasn't all that sure of how I felt about Cromwell.  I did not have a very high opinion of him when I started reading the book.  As time has passed I have changed my view.  I see him as one of the most loyal men who served Henry.  Most of the men who served the king were out for themselves.  Cromwell seems to be one of the few men who served Henry for Henry's sake, not his own.  Now the book doesn't go past 1535, so I cannot tell if he changes with dissolution business, but from what I can tell, Cromwell will do what he is told to do by Henry.  Everyone else, including Anne, are beside the point.

Bella makes a great point also about this book telling the story of the move into the modern age.  Henry brought people into his circle who would never have been allowed to rise so high in previous reigns. 

I read Wolf Hall a few months ago when the forum's Book Club read it, and I really enjoyed it! Like you, Sharon, I found the beginning extremely slow, but by the end, I had a whole different view on Cromwell. I also liked the writing style, once I got past the dryness anyway. And as for The Confessions of Katherine Howard, I didn't altogether love it. It was okay to good, I thought, but the modern writing style put me off, and while I thought the portrayal of Katherine Howard was definitely unique, I wasn't at all sure that I liked or agreed with it.

I agree, Wendy. At risk of sounding very strange, it was almost like you were observing as if from the Pensieve in Harry Potter (I know that's terribly geeky, but for those who have read the books/seen the movies, I hope it'll make sense!).

Haha rightly said, Anyanka! (Harry Potter geeks!!!)

Oh no, that's terrible!!! 😀 How old are they? I went to the midnight viewing, all dressed up, extremely proudly LOL.