Wolf Hall - The Mirror and the Light

[virgocatlover]

Series 2 is confirmed to start Sunday 10th November.

Almost 10 years after the first series, I'm excited to see the third and final novel brought to life.

I’ve tried and tried to read Wolf Hall and I just give up every time.

I'm not the poster you're replying to, but your previous post quotes story of an individual who was indeed a musician?

Apologies!

What exactly is confusing you? We’re in Cromwell’s POV unless specified otherwise, and, if that has happened, the narrative signals we’re back inside Cromwell’s head by locating us with a ‘he, Cromwell’, purely because the overwhelming majority of characters are male.

I watched the first episode and really enjoyed it.

I missed the first series for some reason and I can't access the BBC Player here. But I've read the book 'Wolf Hall' and I'm very familiar with that period of history. I thought the book was very dull (considering the subject matter).

Roll on Sunday night!

Those saying “I just couldn’t read it” should really persevere on my humble opinion because once you get into the style (which I will admit does take some getting used to) the whole thing is a joy. To live inside Cromwell’s head is something that has stayed with me in a way that few books ever have (also an avid reader).

Admittedly I haven’t yet read The Mirror and the Light (I bought the hardback when it was published but too many other books claimed my attention) but the first two in the trilogy were spellbinding. I devoured Wolf Hall over one Christmas and felt I was in another world. An absolutely mesmerising experience.

It took me about 6 attempts to read Wolf Hall before I got into her writing style.

Now I've read all 3 several times.

@Halsall well brace yourself for the end because (spoiler alert!) even though I knew he died and how, I still absolutely sobbed. So well written.

In a way its surprising it was so popular as it's not an easy read. But I loved it and felt bereft after I'd finished Wolf Hall in a way that I hadn't in years after finishing a book.

lots of people found it hard to read, look at comments online I’m not alone
its difficult to explain really

im a huge Medieval and Tudor fan so I was very keen to read it,

Totally agree. Though I did wish that everyone was not called Thomas.

I’ve seen comments. Most didn’t explain precisely what it was they said they found confusing, only that they found it hard to follow, or didn’t know whose POV they were in. It’s not clear to me exactly what the issue is, as we’re almost always in TC’s head.

Mantel changed from just using "he" in Wolf Hall to explicitly saying "he, Cromwell" in Bring Up The Bodies in an attempt to appease those who didn't get the pronoun use.

Personally I'm not sure why people couldn't get their heads around it – the entire book is written from Cromwell's perspective so if it says "he", it means Cromwell. Easy as that.

Mantel doesn't spoon-feed, though, especially with her historical writing (A Place Of Greater Safety might be even finer than Wolf Hall, certainly on a par) so I can understand people giving up. But it is so worth persevering. As a PP said, being that entrenched in someone's perspective is an absolute gift. Cromwell's relationships and love for his daughters, his wife, his son, his "stand-in" sons, and, of course, his prince, are deeply emotionally affecting. And the rich historical detail is evocative on a level few other historical novels manage to achieve, imo.

I’m not familiar with the Wolf Hall book or program yet but enjoy history. I have a 12.5 year old history buff, would it be suitable for DC that age? Don’t mind them watching most things as long as there isn’t explicit sex content, which I’m assuming this has?

No explicit sex at all, not even in the first series with Anne Boleyn (though of course things are discussed).

Ah ok, great thanks, might give it a go then.

I wouldn’t let them watch the Tudors though

No sex or nudity, but quite a bit of profanity when the Duke of Norfolk is on screen!

Agree re everyone being called Thomas!

Can sympathise with those who've struggled with the books, I did too. Had wolf hall on my shelf for years and couldn't get into it. The audiobooks read by Ben miles are absolutely brilliant, i got them via the library so no cost and there seem to be lots of copies so no wait time. I'm halfway through the mirror and the light now and have enjoyed the trilogy more than any audiobook I've listened to for years.

I think I remember the stage production making a joke out of that: actors came on stage one by one and said “Good morning Thomas” to everyone who was already on.

I’m a latecomer to watching Wolf Hall on iPlayer. It’s marvellous. I have caught up and I am now following the mirror and the light. But didn’t she write a trilogy? So what is the content of Bringing up the bodies? Was that novel not televised?

The first series of Wolf Hall was a combination of "Wolf Hall" and "Bringing Up The Bodies". At the time the series was made "The Mirror and the Light" had not been published.

Oh that’s brilliant.

Episode 2 is up on iplayer.