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Original poster

Wolf Hall - why can't I get into it?

62 replies

zenoushka · 11/03/2013 11:29

This is my second attempt at trying to read Wolf Hall, I've done a bit better and have managed to get myself to page 62 ( the first time I only managed to get to page 44 before I gave up).

My dad and best friend have absolutely raved about it, saying how amazing it is and that I have to stick with it and will realise how good it is. But quite frankly I'm just finding it a slog. At tips or advice? I love reading about the Tudors and am really interested in the period, but the grammar in the Book is really confusing me too...

OP posts:
hatchibombatour · 18/03/2013 16:45

I couldn't get into it either, and I don't have the patience any more to persevere with a book I'm not enjoying!

Original poster
zenoushka · 04/04/2013 17:24

I've managed to get to page 190 and it has got better. BUT, I'm not sure I'm really enjoying it. Finding it hard work....

OP posts:
MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 04/04/2013 19:59

I haven't read it, so can't comment, but The Oldie arrived today and it has a cartoon where a table leg (in a library, I think) is being propped up by a copy of Wolf Hall.

EuroShaggleton · 05/04/2013 13:21

I struggled with the "he" thing too. I found it contrived and annoying.

I got to the end but was a bit underwhelmed, frankly.

Greydog · 16/04/2013 09:27

I hated Wolf Hall. I'd really looked forward to reading it, and just thought it was rubbish. I won't waste any more time on Mantels books - except maybe to prop up table legs!

SweetestThing · 16/04/2013 09:30

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who found this heavy going. I wanted to like it, but I thought it was turgid and didn't live up to the hype. Gave it to the charity shop. Life is absolutely too short to read books you don't enjoy.

GreenShadow · 21/04/2013 19:49

I liked the story in itself, but just hated her writing style.

I did persevere once I had started, but have no interest in following it up with The Bodies.

minsmum · 21/04/2013 20:53

I loved it but that was the second time of trying I would say its one of my top 10.

Original poster
zenoushka · 22/04/2013 15:22

I really am trying to enjoy it but am finding it very difficult. Just finding it such a chore every time I pick the book up...

OP posts:
juneau · 22/04/2013 17:26

It's been sitting on my shelf staring at me for about two years now. I attempted it when I first bought it and gave up after about 10 pages. This post has not made me want to pick it up again!

DuchessofMalfi · 22/04/2013 18:00

I'm going to attempt to read it in a week or so's time. I'm determined to persevere this time. I don't want it to be a chore though - life's too short :o

ProfessorDent · 23/04/2013 21:03

I gave up around page 100. I only started on it because my sister was raving about Shardlake, and it's set a bit later it seems, so I thought I'd do it chronologically.

The style of writing owes more to a short story somehow. It just seemed kind of affected. Couldn't sympathise with anyone much and while she runs off a list of amazing talents Cromwell has, like he's some kind of Sherlock Holmes, we don't see him put much into action if I recall.

But there are plenty of others who say the same on Amazon reviews.

ProfessorDent · 23/04/2013 21:05

Oh, virtually no lovely literary passages of description either. Sometimes I feel this is a trait of women writers (yeah, I know, but verbose passages can be a form of willy waving imo, look how great I am) but for all that Mantel doesn't offer too much psychological insight either, though there is one great passage about the shifting sands of diplomacy in the 1500s.

mrsfiddymont · 30/04/2013 20:12

For those that didn't get on with Wolf Hall, try The Lady in the Tower, the fall of Ann Boleyn by Alison Weir.....in fact anything by Alison Weir.

JumpingJetFlash · 30/04/2013 20:15

I found Wolf Hall much harder to get into but LOVED Bringing up the Bodies. Whole 3rd person thing took a bit to get my head round as well.

Have got tickets for RSC Bringing up the Bodies = excited!!!

instantfamily · 30/04/2013 20:21

So glad I am not the only one.

BrienneOfTarth · 30/04/2013 21:55

I'm also glad I'm not the only one - I'm usually a fan of historical fiction but I don't see anything prizewinning about this book. It's rather dull so far (about p120).

lurkedtoolong · 09/05/2013 14:13

It took me 11 weeks to read a third of it. Realised the thought of being bored stiff reading one book for half a year was too much to endure and gave it away. Pretentious guff

TheSecondComing · 09/05/2013 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatieScarlett2833 · 09/05/2013 14:17

It is wonderful and you are all thick Wink
Seriously, try the audiobook if the book is too much.

DuchessofMalfi · 09/05/2013 14:59

I finished reading Wolf Hall last night. It took me two weeks, reading big chunks of it every day. I was determined to finish it this time, and not let it drag on too long.

Whilst there were chunks of it that I thought could have done with being edited down (sorry Hilary Mantel :)) on the whole I enjoyed reading it. It would have made a riveting 400 page novel, but was a slow going 650 pages.

Looking forward to reading Bring Up The Bodies later in the year, but I'm having a break from Cromwell's political empire-building for now.

Original poster
zenoushka · 09/05/2013 22:47

I've been unable to get past page 190 for the past month!

OP posts:
Wuldric · 09/05/2013 22:51

Bring up the Bodies is easier. I gave up on Wolf Hall at the first two attempts. Was shamed into a third attempt by a friend and got there in the end.

Am currently trying the one about the French Revolution and it is MAMMOTH

I cannot help but think that Hilary Mantel needs some pruning shears. Or a braver editor

AnonYonimousBird · 10/05/2013 10:34

I have the hardback sitting here, lent to me by a friend, and frankly, just looking at it terrifies me. I so want to read it, but I have lots and lots of books that I can read in the time it is going to take me to read that, ones which I am desperate to leap into, so it's been pushed back again I'm afraid....

I hate to give up before I've started, but I'd say I am several months from even opening it!

Galaxymum · 10/05/2013 11:08

This book frustrates me so much because I get stuck at the same point each time I try to read it - after 4 attempts I don't want to be defeated! I love this period of history from studying it at uni (so no, I'm not defeated because I'm thick!) and I love historical accounts and fiction from this era but I just can't cope with Mantel's writing. It bores me. I love this era and the characters and it still never grabs me. The style puts me off. So it remains on my shelf!