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Original poster

Wolf Hall

45 replies

EccentricaGallumbits · 07/06/2010 16:32

Just bought this so I can avoid doing any real work (again).

I'm onlyon page 29 but wondering if it gets good?

Anyone>?

OP posts:
MarsLady · 07/06/2010 20:35

I'm loving it. Not much further to go. Found it hard at first until I got used to Mantel's style.

liath · 07/06/2010 20:28

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the dialogue and banter in it which sounded really authentic. I'm sure Cromwell was a bit nastier in real life but it's the best book I've read in a long time and it brought the period alive for me.

duckyfuzz · 07/06/2010 19:55

I started it last week and am enjoying it, but find I need to dedicate time to it, rather than dip in and out

wonderingwondering · 07/06/2010 19:49

Yes, I agree it is dense and you need to concentrate - it's not light bedtime reading. I usually read a book in an evening or two, and Wolf Hall took me ages (several weeks) as I only read it when I was able to concentrate. But it was such a pleasure to read I didn't mind devoting the mental energy.

HesterPrynne · 07/06/2010 19:34

I loved it in the end, but struggled to start with. It was only a two-hour train journey that I was finally hooked. Without that I would have probably given up as it was just densely written for a few bedtime nibbles at it

policywonk · 07/06/2010 19:29

Agree that it's difficult to read Mantel in small chunks. You'd be better off waiting until you've got a couple of weeks off and are able to concentrate on it for long periods IMO.

IsBreaLiomFion · 07/06/2010 19:25

Worth reading but can be hard work, need to really concentrate at times which as FluffyDonkey has already commented can be challenging after long day.

thesecondcoming · 07/06/2010 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jillhastwoponies · 07/06/2010 17:43

It is weirdly written, and the 'he' thing is a pain, but I finished and sort-of-quite enjoyed it, probably only because I'm a sucker for Tudor fiction and knew who all the characters were already. I'd have given up if I didn't know and love the period. It stops strangely in an odd place, I've heard there will be a sequel.

puts Wolf Hall to good use as doorstop and goes back to Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Gregory

inthesticks · 07/06/2010 17:20

Funnily enough I did a search on MN yesterday about this book. I've been trying very hard to get into it for a week but have now given up.
I couldn't stand the strange style of writing.

frenchfancy · 07/06/2010 17:19

I'm halfway through and struggling (I've read about five other books in the mean time). On the one hand it is very well written, but on the other hand it is a little on the dull side.

FluffyDonkey · 07/06/2010 16:58

I didn't like it that much. Finished it but never got hooked.

The confusing use of 'he' just annoyed me because I felt I had to really concentrate to read the book, so reading late at night wasn't possible!

wonderinglinda · 07/06/2010 16:55

Loved it - all the negative comments are actually accurate enough, the confusing use of 'he' for example, but they still didn't detract from me looking forward to reading it every night and feeling totally absorbed.

wonderingwondering · 07/06/2010 16:44

I LOVED that book - took me ages to read it as I deliberately read it slowly to make it last longer! Quite subtle in places so I found it worth absorbing all the detail.

I may re-read it soon...

GetOrfMoiLand · 07/06/2010 16:41

I really liked it - mind you if I don't like it by the end of the first page a book gets slung.

Very atmospheric I thought. Devoured it in a day.

Original poster
EccentricaGallumbits · 07/06/2010 16:39

adult as in a bit more grown up than peter rabbit.

i only bought it because wolf hall is just up the road from me and i've always wanted to live there.

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 07/06/2010 16:37

tis v good
i loved it

brimfull · 07/06/2010 16:37

I gave up
not my cup of tea

cornsilkcottagecheese · 07/06/2010 16:35

why is it adult fiction - is it racy?

Sithmummy · 07/06/2010 16:35

I'd like to know too, please. I've been so tempted to buy it since I heard the author being interviewed on Radio 4.