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Original poster

Okay. So this is the THIRD time I've tried to read Wolf Hall ....

113 replies

FleetwoodRaincoat · 06/02/2021 10:25

I can't believe anyone has actually got all the way through it.

I'm equally bored, confused and fed up with too many men called Thomas.

Please tell me I'm not the only one .....

OP posts:
CaptainCallisto · 06/02/2021 12:49

I gave up because I can't stand first person present tense. I hate it with a fiery passion. I was so disappointed, because I'd been looking forward to reading it for ages.

shivermetimbers77 · 06/02/2021 12:46

It took me a long time to get into, as all the he’s and various Characters were confusing and i often found that I was working so hard to figure out who was talking and whose side they were on that I couldn’t visualise anything or get into the flow of the scenes.. however, something clicked about halfway through and I began to really enjoy it. I adored Bring up the Bodies: the Anne Boleyn execution scene is breathtaking and I found it a real page-Turner. However, I got a bit lost again in The Mirror and The Light. I will never forget them though and will forever be a bit in love with her version of Thomas Cromwell.

Frouby · 06/02/2021 12:44

Glad I'm not the only one, am currently about 25% through it and not loving it and also confused. But trying to persevere because my history is crap and I want it to be a bit better. I read it about twice a week, mixed up with whatever else I have on the go. I will finish it, just may take a while.

Luckingfovely · 06/02/2021 12:42

Never got past the first couple of chapters, I really don't understand the hype.

As bad as The GoldFinch, and bloody Eleanor Oliphant!

HelenaJustina · 06/02/2021 12:41

I adored this trilogy! Stunning writing and use of language is so creative and evocative.

ThreeLadsPointingAtAStar · 06/02/2021 12:40

I usually love historical fiction but I struggled with Wolf Hall.
Loved the TV version.

Respectabitch · 06/02/2021 12:40

I fucking love it. I think it's a masterpiece of a psychological portrait of an extraordinary man. But, you know, there isn't a test so if you aren't enjoying it, don't read it.

purpleme12 · 06/02/2021 12:40

@IdblowJonSnow

I gave up too. I could see it was well written but I was also confused and every time I picked it up again I'd need to backtrack a bit. Would have taken months to get through it. I did read Beyond Black though, also by HM which I loved.
I read this year's ago too! I only realised after I'd read Wolf Hall that I'd read another of hers I liked Beyond Black Hated Wolf Hall I wouldn't have even known it was the same person
Honeyroar · 06/02/2021 12:39

I agree. I love novels from that period, but I hated Wolf Hall. It’s really unlike me to put a book down, but I did this one. I found the tv series dark and dull too.

Chemenger · 06/02/2021 12:37

@Threeleaper

Please, anyone, say what you struggled with or were bored by!
I found it very slow, the characters unappealing, and the style of writing plodding. Just not for me. I like a long book but not these. I am not a big reader of historical fiction, which probably didn’t help.
LittleRa · 06/02/2021 12:33

@LunaHeather

I couldn't finish it either

I think I got halfway through

I think life is extremely long and dull. There is no need to make it feel longer.

The TV adaptation was excellent, though how they extracted that from her book, I will never know.

I love the way Claire Foy says “Cremwuell” Grin
purpleme12 · 06/02/2021 12:31

It's interesting these people saying persevere
I am nothing if not determined 🤣
I read it all and I can honestly say it did not get better! 🤣

LunaHeather · 06/02/2021 12:17

I couldn't finish it either

I think I got halfway through

I think life is extremely long and dull. There is no need to make it feel longer.

The TV adaptation was excellent, though how they extracted that from her book, I will never know.

IdblowJonSnow · 06/02/2021 12:17

I gave up too. I could see it was well written but I was also confused and every time I picked it up again I'd need to backtrack a bit. Would have taken months to get through it.
I did read Beyond Black though, also by HM which I loved.

LittleRa · 06/02/2021 12:15

Recommend the audiobooks! The version read by Ben Miles

purpleme12 · 06/02/2021 12:12

@Threeleaper

Please, anyone, say what you struggled with or were bored by!
Everything 🤣
user1487194234 · 06/02/2021 11:49

If you really want to read it the best advice I can give you is just to persevere
I found it really hard going for the first day 100 pages and then it just clicked and I absolutely loved it
Have read all 3
The tip about he being TC is very helpful

Pinkycheeks · 06/02/2021 11:43

Love Wolf Hall! I savour the style and can’t think of better male characterisation than TC... I feel like I know him!

MissMatchedClaws · 06/02/2021 11:37

The audiobook is worth a go. The narration is the best I’ve heard (and I love audiobooks, but am very very fussy about narration)

Kolo · 06/02/2021 11:26

God I love them. I'm reading the mirror and the light at the moment.

It is hard work to get into. I still get confused between the Norfolks and suffolks and fathers and sons who had the same name and all the Thomases. I'm referring back to the 'list of characters' often.

But I did get into the way it's written, I can read it much more fluently now I 'get' the style of writing. And yes, 'he' is usually Cromwell.

AnnaMagnani · 06/02/2021 11:09

I didn't like it. The TV adaptation was amazing though.

HeyLala · 06/02/2021 11:08

I read the first 2 books but bought the third on audible. Then I downloaded the first two as well so now listening to it all on my daily dog walks.
I love Tudor history and these books are fabulous.

QueenOfLabradors · 06/02/2021 11:06

I did enjoy the television adaptation though.

QueenOfLabradors · 06/02/2021 11:05

I gave up due to first person present tense narration. I just can't stand it! C J Sansom does the period far better.

Fascinationends · 06/02/2021 11:04

Am also a huge history fan, but I have picked up and discarded this book so many times. I WILL read it this year, but I need to change my mindset as everytime I look at it I snarl a bit.