Helpful Score: 6
Absolutely a fantastic read! Though I don't know why the title, because I saw no reference to Wolf Hall until the very end, it makes no difference. I was consumed and enthralled by all 600 pages and so sorry to see it end.
The book is about Thomas Cromwell's life during the reign of Henry VIII's annulment of the marriage to Katherine and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the tumultous religous times surrounding these events. Mantel is an extremely gifted writer. Her dialogs are so believable, descriptive, and engrossing that one believes they are really witnessing actual conversations.
I LOVE this era of history and have read alot of historical fiction set in this time period, so it helped me understand the novel and characters alot better than I would have otherwise. Even so, I still was grateful for the Cast of Characters at the beginning, as I referred to it frequently! It is sometimes confusing, at least to me, when a person is referred to by name one time and another by title. Anyway, fabulous reading.
The book is about Thomas Cromwell's life during the reign of Henry VIII's annulment of the marriage to Katherine and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the tumultous religous times surrounding these events. Mantel is an extremely gifted writer. Her dialogs are so believable, descriptive, and engrossing that one believes they are really witnessing actual conversations.
I LOVE this era of history and have read alot of historical fiction set in this time period, so it helped me understand the novel and characters alot better than I would have otherwise. Even so, I still was grateful for the Cast of Characters at the beginning, as I referred to it frequently! It is sometimes confusing, at least to me, when a person is referred to by name one time and another by title. Anyway, fabulous reading.
Helpful Score: 5
"Wolf Hall" is a novelization of one of the most fascinating and significant periods in English history: the reign of Henry VIII, his wife (but not for long) Catherine and his beloved (but not for long) Anne Boleyn. Told more or less from the point of view of Thomas Cromwell, who rose from assistant to Cardinal Wolsey to highest adviser of the king, we see all the machinations of royalty and commoners alike in a vividly drawn picture of the times. My only problem with the writing of Hilary Mantel is her too frequent use of pronouns rather than proper nouns, thus making it sometimes hard to follow the dialogue and action - who is saying what, who is doing what.
Helpful Score: 3
The best researched, most compelling written book I've read in years.
Helpful Score: 1
While characters might be a little hard to keep track of, this is a great read. Don't miss it.
Helpful Score: 1
Those familiar enough with Tudor history to know that Wolf Hall is the familial home of the Seymour family would likely find it odd that this Man Booker Prize-winning novel focuses on Thomas Cromwells rise to power. Starting with a brief look at the moment in his youth when he left England, we meet Cromwell again in the service of Cardinal Wolsey. Hilary Mantel portrays Cromwell as a practical, business-minded problem solver, and its easy to see how these qualities would help him advance, but it was not apparent how this was happening. I can see how some would find the authors style fragmented and hard to read. He, Cromwell is an awkward construction of many sentences. Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed this rare historical novel not focused on love vs. duty or convention and look forward to the rest of the planned trilogy that humanizes this historical figure.
Helpful Score: 1
Very well written historical fiction, with the emphasis on historical. A sympathetic portrayal of Thomas Cromwell, so often cast as a villain.
Having previously read quite a few fiction books centered around the Tudors (authors Phillipa Gregory, Alison Weir, Carolly Erickson), Wolf Hall stands out. Most of the others have been written from the point of view of the women at court - wives and daughters of Henry VII or attendants to the Queens. This book is viewed through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, who rises from being the son of a blacksmith,to assistant to Cardinal Wolsey, and makes the tricky transition to advisor to Henry VIII after Wolsey meets with the King's displeasure and is forced from office. Cromwell, who so often appears as a villain in other novels, is here shown to be a loving husband, father and benefactor, and a very bright, almost self-made man. Kudos to Hilary Mantel - one of my favorite reads of 2012.
Highly recommend, explains Thomas Cromwells journey as Secretary to the King and his backstory with Wolsey which makes the next two books clear in his path to success.
Story of Thomas Cromwell, Henry the 8th's advisor.
As a huge Tudor enthusiast, Ive been interested in reading Wolf Hall for awhile. A lot of historical fiction seems to be written about the women of Tudor England, so something about one of the men of the period intrigued me. Add to that my fascination with Thomas Cromwell in general and youve got a book made for someone like me.
Those reading this review are hopefully already familiar with the events of this period. If not, I will say that I may spoil some things for you, so you may want to stop reading. However, if you already know about the major points of the story of Anne Boleyn, youll already be aware of whats coming within the scope of this novel. Either way, consider yourself warned!
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
Those reading this review are hopefully already familiar with the events of this period. If not, I will say that I may spoil some things for you, so you may want to stop reading. However, if you already know about the major points of the story of Anne Boleyn, youll already be aware of whats coming within the scope of this novel. Either way, consider yourself warned!
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
There are so many Thomases whove played important roles in shaping the history of Tudor reign: Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Bilney, Thomas Wyatt, Thomas Howard, the list goes on and on. There is mention of all of these figures in Wolf Hall, however, its central character is Thomas Cromwell.
Often talked about briefly in historic accounts as a man of low station who weaseled his way into the kings good graces, Mantel does a phenomenal job of piecing the bits of history we do know of Cromwell to shape his back story A story that explains what drove him and how he managed to succeed where others could not.
The story begins with Cromwell being kicked and beaten on the street at a very young age by his drunken father. Tired of being a punching bag, Cromwell flees and makes his own way in life. He grows up to be a quick witted and ambitious man (a lawyer and right hand man to Cardinal Wolsey, then Chief Minister to King Henry VIII) that loves his family and gives them the love and affection that his own father failed to give his children. It seems, in fact, that all of the family betrayal he sees played out in the kings court, and all of the shady dealings he sees and assists Wolsey with to keep the king content, make Cromwell a more devoted family man. With that said, he does have to rewrite laws to suit the kings wants and that chips away at Cromwell to some extent. I could not help but hear Cold Plays song, Viva La Vida, looping in my head as many of the major figures are either stricken by disease, or are banished from court, or killed in the name of the king. Wolf Hall has it all: jealousy, fame, betrayal, humor, and sadness. Unlike other works of historical fiction, reading this book made me feel like I was at court with Cromwell, Henry, and the others. It didnt read as a book trying to be a movie or play. It drew me in and made me feel like I was at court watching the story unravel right before my eyes.
Often talked about briefly in historic accounts as a man of low station who weaseled his way into the kings good graces, Mantel does a phenomenal job of piecing the bits of history we do know of Cromwell to shape his back story A story that explains what drove him and how he managed to succeed where others could not.
The story begins with Cromwell being kicked and beaten on the street at a very young age by his drunken father. Tired of being a punching bag, Cromwell flees and makes his own way in life. He grows up to be a quick witted and ambitious man (a lawyer and right hand man to Cardinal Wolsey, then Chief Minister to King Henry VIII) that loves his family and gives them the love and affection that his own father failed to give his children. It seems, in fact, that all of the family betrayal he sees played out in the kings court, and all of the shady dealings he sees and assists Wolsey with to keep the king content, make Cromwell a more devoted family man. With that said, he does have to rewrite laws to suit the kings wants and that chips away at Cromwell to some extent. I could not help but hear Cold Plays song, Viva La Vida, looping in my head as many of the major figures are either stricken by disease, or are banished from court, or killed in the name of the king. Wolf Hall has it all: jealousy, fame, betrayal, humor, and sadness. Unlike other works of historical fiction, reading this book made me feel like I was at court with Cromwell, Henry, and the others. It didnt read as a book trying to be a movie or play. It drew me in and made me feel like I was at court watching the story unravel right before my eyes.
Had trouble following the dialogue and who was talking. But I really liked the book, and am watching "The Tudors" on TV which goes right along. The last sentence in the book was amazing and said it all.
