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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:
Blueemeraldagain · 06/02/2021 11:01

I love Tudor history (actually I’m interested in about 1400-1600) and would estimate that 80% of what I read is historical non-fiction. I’ve given up on Wolf Hall three times. I just can’t get in to it, I do think it’s confusing in places and I know what happens! The book also somehow makes a period of history I find fascinating seem...dull? Or slow? I’m not quite sure. I think part of my problem is that I’m currently not as interested in the men of the period. Enjoying the trend of focussing on the women of the time period.

Threeleaper · 06/02/2021 11:00

Please, anyone, say what you struggled with or were bored by!

LBOCS2 · 06/02/2021 10:54

No, I agree. After struggling with it for a while (following a recommendation from a close friend who I trust to give me book recommendations!) I gave up as life is too short!

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 06/02/2021 10:54

gave not have

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 06/02/2021 10:53

I couldn't get on with it either - I've tried but just have up. Not for me. Reassuring though, to know I'm not alone.

clary · 06/02/2021 10:50

Oh I love these books. I am on the third one now.

There were a lot of people called Thomas, it's true, but she's writing about real people:
Thomas Cranmer, Wolsey, More, oh and Cromwell. If she just says "he" she means Cromwell. Oh yes a pp says that too!

A few Henrys as well.

I say stick at it.

Duckberg · 06/02/2021 10:48

I gave up twice too.

purpleme12 · 06/02/2021 10:47

My advice is.... not to bother
Honestly I cannot understand at all why this book is so popular!

BlackLambAndGreyFalcoln · 06/02/2021 10:34

Best tip I received which allowed me to fully get into it: whenever mantel says "he" in the text, 99.9% of the time unless it is clearly stated otherwise, "he" refers to Cromwell.

Wankerchief · 06/02/2021 10:33

Shite, this is in my tbr pile.
Everyone raves about it so I was hoping for great things

LadyWithLapdog · 06/02/2021 10:32

You’re not alone. I finished it but I was confused and I can’t remember a thing now.

blitzen · 06/02/2021 10:31

Uh oh, this is next on my shelf. I am intrigued!

Threeleaper · 06/02/2021 10:30

Well, you’re not the only one, as I’ve seen people complain endlessly about it on here, but I think it’s one of the best novels of the last 25 years. I’ve reread it more times than I can remember. (Bring Up the Bodies is slightly less good, and The Mirror and the Light definitely weaker. Though I suspect you’re unlikely to go on to the sequels... Grin)

Can I ask, genuinely, what exactly is it you are finding both so difficult and boring? Specific examples? Not so I can attempt to convince you otherwise, but genuinely interested.