Anyone read/reading Wolf Hall?

Only a small way through so far, and really enjoying it. I like my historical fiction dense!

The period is one of my favourites, and it is interesting seeing Cromwell from a different perspective, or at least seeing him with some depth. He generally seems to be portrayed as no more than a glowering, lumpen shadow in a corner. Although I can see she may be straying into 'tragic hero' territory a bit

Also enjoying More as a bit of a sod. I generally have trouble with More. I'm a bit of a Richard III fan, so can never forgive More for his hatchet job on Richard, but then I also adore 'Man for All Seasons' so I'm always torn.......

I found that some sentences literally made me gasp they were so beautifully written. A tour de force, in my view.

I've just finished it - not sooo impressed in the end (tho I like the very last sentence!).

I agree about her TC crush. And in the end he becomes quite one dimensional. Book abit long. It began reminding me of an Anya Seyton (which I overdosed on when I was 14, so the whole historical romance thing felt too familiar perhaps).

But there is more to it than that, detail and atmosphere of the period are completely fascinating. The power politics of Cromwell moving from his mentor Wolsey onto Henry, getting powerful men what they want, whatever it takes. And the More/Cromwell switch very very good. And the Anne B/Mary (her sister) relationship also so well done, the way they each fought for power through their sex appeal the only way available to them.

But it is abit heavy for reading in bed. Looking forward to hearing other people's opinions. Looks 50:50 at the moment.

Just finished Wolf Hall (and prob. wouldn't have started it without this thread, so thanks!) Liked it ... but I wanted it to go on longer, I wanted to know what she'd have done with Jane Seymour later on. Still, that would have made it even heavier to hold, so I guess no go.

I've not read any of her others - what are they are what are they about? Has she done others from that time period?

I'm sort of the other way round- I love HM's style, and I was compelled to keep reading it, but I got most annoyed with her taking what I reckon are historical liberties. I think the whole book is an exercise in Lapsed Catholic Nortiness...

Every night would read a lump then drop it on the floor with a massive "CUH!"

...I would urge anyone who likes it to read A Place of Greater Safety- it's one of the bestest books I've ever read. Have attempted to re read a couple of times and each time get nearly to the end- but can't face the grisly finale

it's one of the few books I've read recently (and I read loads) that I've not been able to finish

I feel really guilty as my mum gave it to me for my birthday, but I just couldn't get on with HM's style at all - I just found it so unbelievably irritating that it got in the way

I usually immerse myself in books - it's a bit hard to explain but I'm usually not at all aware of words, it's more like watching a surround-sound 3D film if that makes any sense at all - and with Wolf Hall I was painfully aware of every syllable

panic - yes, it becomes a fairly straightforward narrative fairly early on.

'Tis true that HM's style is v dense. I like it but it's a matter of taste. I think you also have to know a fair bit about the history in order to enjoy it - she doesn't explain everything as she goes along. (Don't mean to imply that anyone posting doesn't know the history - you might all be super-Tudor buffs for all I know.) When I was reading 'A Place of Greater Safety' I kept wishing that I'd actually studied the French Revolution first.

Must add that I wouldn't mind a bit more Henry VIII in it too. I think I might have a slight crush on him

I didn't get on with it at all and am really baffled by all the fuss. HM's style got on my nerves. So showy! It really held me at arms' length

The way she wrote about Cromwell felt a bit like a Mills and Boon writer doing a hero. HM had a baaad crush, no?

Also it was a bit too short on colour/atmosphere for my liking

I'm finding the chopping and changing of timelines a bit irritating - does it settle down?

The first book for years that I read to the end, turned straight back to the first page, and read again. Brilliant achievement - the flow of thought and conversation seems so natural.

It also inspired me to go on and read another three books about Henry VIII and one about Mary Tudor - which was also fascinating.

Holidaywonk, I'm not Tillybookclub, sorry. But agree that HM would be good for a chat

(Btw, am number 26 now, I wonder if people are giving up on it?!)

Ooh, so glad so many people like it! I heard it was unreadable but my dad always gets mum and me the booker prize shortlist to share for Christmas so it's on my shelf. I was feeling a bit lukewarm about getting started so glad to know it sounds good!

I've been reading it over the Christmas holidays and had tried to finish it before school started again. One thing that has put me off the whole way through is the weight of it, quite difficult to read in bed.

But I'm loving the role reversal of Thomas Moore and Thomas Cromwell. Fabulous stuff, and certainly not the way the Tudor period went down in my mind. I think HM has a crush on our Mr Cromwell myself

I'm really looking forward to it now, have moved up to number 28 in the queue!

Its really good - read it in about 3 days on holiday in November! Havent read any of her other stuff but found it addictive reading...

Just started reading. Am enjoying it so far but having to use brain (more than is strictly appropriate for the time of year) to work out who is "speaking". Suspect I need to get into it a little more so that I know who the voice is.

Interesting to see how it reflects on modern politics and love all the detail about the court characters.

Thomas Cromwell so far coming across like Alistair Campbell?

Have you finished it PW?

Thanks - sounds much more my sort of thing than overweight mediums, which is what I seem to remember the other one was about. Might see if it comes into the library.

I got this for xmas haven't started it.

I tried reading another of hers and thought it was dreadful (something to do with black) so probably won't bother with this. What's it about?