I think I may have a problem

[3kidsaremorethanenough]

I am now rereading Wolf Hall for the 4th time. Should I seek help. Is there a Wolf Hall support group anywhere! Last time I read it was last Christmas (it was my comfort read as I was going through a hard time after a bereavement) but my eye caught it today, just sitting there on the book shelf, and I thought I'll just read the first chapter while I grab lunch....but I know once I've started it will be the whole book, I won't be able to stop.

But it is bloody good reading isn't it 😉

I prefer Bring Up the Bodies myself but no, YANBU. Read what you love.

Ah no carry on. It's such a pleasure to lose yourself in a book you love.
Mine is: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Read it at least once a year.

I've yet managed to get through it. The whole present tense thing drives me crazy and it's not as though I don't know the plot.
I can always watch Mark Rylance in the BBC4 version.

There is nothing wrong with you at all. Everything is right with you. It is a genuine work of genius.
I’ve been thinking about that book again today. I was thinking I might read it again (only for the third time) and make notes in the margins.
Now that’s weird.

I still haven't read it! Post a few extracts to whet my appetite

Just heard the awful news about Hilary Mantel. What a loss.

Oh my goodness I'm just after seeing that Hilary Mantel has passed away that is so sad. She was an amazing writer and contributer to culture. I will definitely keep reading Wolf Hall & Bring up the bodies now as a little tribute to her.

Thanks for all your lovely encouraging messages too by the way. Note in margins sounds like a great idea as does picking out some snippets from the book to post. I just love all the conversations Cromwell has, with his sister, with Wosley, Gardiner, they are just fantastically written, like your just standing behind them eavesdropping. Rest in Peace Hilary and thanks🌹

Do you often find yourself doing something and then hearing a piece of news later? I'm not reading one of Hilary Mantel's books at the moment but I do have two TBR from the library, am just about to see if I can renew them but I am probably going to have to take back The Mirror and the Light and the other one within a few days or weeks and try to borrow again I've caught up with a few other current library reads, esp. given the length of her final Thomas Cromwell novel.

I've not heard of a Wolf Hall support group but it's not a bad idea! Maybe now is the time to set up something online for anyone wanting to talk about Hilary Mantel's books. Perhaps some linked threads - general discussion and specific book shared reads?

I am feeling a little bit shocked, especially given that I think she wasn't much of a monarchist but is most famous for writing about monarchy and wider issues of political power etc.

Hello there! Are you my DD4?

I have read it 3 times and after today’s sad news will start it again tomorrow x

@BettyCake I love A Tree Grows in Brooklyn too, though it's some time since I read it. I even have two other books by her though I daren't read them, especially the one that might be a sequel. Because I prefer to think of Maggie as a young woman forever.

Wolf hall is worth reading 4 times. Such sad news.