Anyone read/reading Wolf Hall?

I'm struggling with this at the moment, and undecided as to whether to persevere. I've read about 100 pages so far.

Not helped by the fact that most of my reading is a few pages per day late at night when I'm falling asleep, I guess.

I loved this book; so much so it took a while to get over and stop comparing other books to it unfavourably, esp other historical fiction

it's amazing how she approached an area of history that is seriuosly overexposed and made it fresh, gripping, chilling and laugh out loud funny at times. Dense, I suppose, yes but not inaccessible - may take a chapter or two to adjust to the style but such gorgeous writing, a deserving Booker winner imo

Agree abour the disembowlings Hellymelly something More says near the end got me: something about pithing people while they are alive -it was that use 'pith' r.e. peoples innards

Yes, Species, tortured and killed, for not towing the line of Catholic doctrine. I always feel it was a horribly violent, unstable and unpredictable time to live in. I am amazed everyone didn't suffer nervous breakdowns - I am sure I would!

That said, I love a good historical novel, whatever the period, and on Saturday I bought Wolf Hall to read - looking forward to it.

One of the best novels I've read for ages, was so sorry when it ended. Can't wait for the sequel.

The Thomas More aspect was fascinating, as I love the film 'A Man For All Seasons' where he appears to be almost saint-like. Did he really have people tortured??

I am loving this so much. I've never read HMantle before and am very very impressed. I did a lot of Tudor history and she just seems to have imagined it so plausibly and gripplingly ( is that a word? )

I didn't know there was a sequel planned lemonmeringe. In some ways I was glad it ended where it did as I'm a bit of a coward & a blubberer when it comes to sad endings. I'm sure I'll read it when it comes out though.

due to read after Childrens Book.

Beyond Black is superb - don't let any blurb ever put you off!!!!

Loved it, wonderful... and nice to compare with historical bio (eg Six Wives of Henry VIII) and at the other end, Philippa Gregory and the Tudors!
Desperate for the sequel.
Initially I found the "he" (never referring to TC by name) a bit confusing. But got used to it.
Didn't feel that dense but then I had just read The Children's Book!

I'm nearly finished. Its taken me ages as kept stopping when it all got too much, but then throwing myself back into it and loving it.

I never knew I could be so fascinated by Tudor England. I think she's a brilliant writer. I have a bit of a crush on TC myself....

chopsache I know what you mean about trying to keep up with who is speaking - Cromwell is the default 'he' in the book, so sometimes a passage will be told from the point of view of a named man, but then the pov slips back to 'him', which is a little hard to get used to.

I loved it.

I missed it for ages when I finished it, but apparently HM is planning/writing a sequel (I wondered why it ended where it did).

Interested to read all these comments, I have just started it. Nearly a kilo of hardback to carry to work every day (most of my reading done on the bus). I've loved everything else I've read by her - her style is interesting in this one I think, as she's not trying to use some kind of "historical" voice. MY DP found it hard going as she'd never studied that period of history; I have, quite a lot, so hoping I will be able to follow it.

Am reading it, but taking a lot of time over it as my key time to read is in bed and (as others have said) it isn't an easy bedtime book purely from the weight of it.

Will perservere, tho', as I have so enjoyed the third I've read so far.

And I really loved 'A Place of Greater Safety'. A truly great read!

As an aside - HM also wrote an odd (as in a bit strange) novel called 'Fludd'. Not a historical novel, but black humour. I liked that too, but maybe it'd be too slight for you highbrows?

I loved it and loved A Place of Greater Safety too

I read this just before Xmas & really enjoyed it. It does take a bit more effort than a light read (sometimes just to figure out who's saying what) but I thought it was well worth it. Mind you I really enjoy historical novels.

on my reservations list at the library, cant wait to get it, just hope it lives up to the hype

It is good,really engaging.Can't get the disembowelings out of my head though (uggh,shuddering emoticon needed)

Glad to read the positive comments, it's in my 'to read' pile!

Finished it

At the end I actually wished I hadn't read it, so I still had it to read!

Really, really enjoyed it. Very interesting to see different sides to familiar characters. I have asked for biographies of both Cromwell and Wolsey for my birthday.

Sigh.

Finally finished it-usually not keen on historical fiction but I really enjoyed it.
Recently read 'Giving up the Ghost ' by her which was a harrowing but brilliant book.

Finally got it from my library

Started it last night, and am enjoying it, once I got into the slightly different writing style. I was a bit apprehensive as I don't usually read historical fiction. And the first one I did read was a Phillipa Gregory which is a bit easier!

But so far, so good. Will update once I've finished.