Wolf hall

[Slothlorien]

I know it has many fans and I had high hopes. But. It is proving too much for my sleep deprived brain. I can't work out who's who, who's speaking, whats going on!! Is it just me? Does it get more reader friendly? And why does it mention the kings 'diaper' holder
? Presuming loo roll, but would they have had this word in Tudor times?!

When she says "he", she always means Cromwell unless it's made obvious that it's someone else.

Can't remember the diaper holder, unfortunately!

You will get used to it. I was forewarned so got into it quite quickly.

I don't remember the diaper holder but would assume it's an old word (not sure what language!) that just happens to be used for nappies in the States now?

I thought it was badly written. She does build sympathy/empathy with Cromwell which is the only reason I finished it - but I won't be reading the sequel despite the Booker. I think she's a clumsy writer.

I gave up on it! Too much for me

I loved it but took ages to work out 'cockstand' . Did find it quite repetitive by the end I will admit, he has a lot of conversations! I thought that maybe the unusually frequent use of 'he' lent it a biblical, timeless quality?

I struggled with it too. I didn't dislike it as such, but I found it hard going. I didn't stick with it because there was another book I wanted to read more that wasn't so challenging so I was sidetracked with the easier option.

I do intend to go back and have another try because the second one does interest me quite a bit and I don't feel I can start that without having read Wolf Hall first.

I thought it was wonderful - but yes, a bit confusing. Have you got young children? (guessing from the sleep deprived bit). I read chick lit shite while mine were still waking in the night. You need a fully functioning brain for Wolf Hall I reckon.

Oh also, I remember the beginning whizzes through years and years very quickly and introduces loads of characters on top of one another. That calms down once you get a few chapters in.

I read a third of it and gave up. I reall wanted to love it as well, as I love the Tudor period, but it was just such hard going.

I gave up too. Just too confusing but probably not helped by me reading just a handful of pages each night when I was really tired. My friend though gave it a definite 10 out of 10.

I loved it (although Bring up the Bodies lacked the same novelty - I hardly remember anything that happened!). You have to let your mind immerse itself in the style of writing. It's a bit like when a writer uses words in a different language regularly and stops reminding you what they mean (I'm currently reading Shogun, by James Clavell, who does this with Japanese) - your brain will stop even bothering to translate them and just understand them naturally after a while. I would persevere, but set aside an hour in a silent room when you're not too tired!

I gave up too about half way through. Was forewarned about the "he" thing so that was OK but just found it hard going. Reminded me of doing A levels!

I have just started reading it!

I loved it! Thought I would find it hardgoing as had also been forewarned but was surprised I didn't obviously has an odd mind

Liked Bringing Up the Bodies but not quite as much.

I'm persevering, it is worth it.