Anyone read/reading Wolf Hall?

[holidaywonk]

It's brilliant isn't it

Must add that I wouldn't mind a bit more Henry VIII in it too. I think I might have a slight crush on him

panic - yes, it becomes a fairly straightforward narrative fairly early on.

'Tis true that HM's style is v dense. I like it but it's a matter of taste. I think you also have to know a fair bit about the history in order to enjoy it - she doesn't explain everything as she goes along. (Don't mean to imply that anyone posting doesn't know the history - you might all be super-Tudor buffs for all I know.) When I was reading 'A Place of Greater Safety' I kept wishing that I'd actually studied the French Revolution first.

it's one of the few books I've read recently (and I read loads) that I've not been able to finish

I feel really guilty as my mum gave it to me for my birthday, but I just couldn't get on with HM's style at all - I just found it so unbelievably irritating that it got in the way

I usually immerse myself in books - it's a bit hard to explain but I'm usually not at all aware of words, it's more like watching a surround-sound 3D film if that makes any sense at all - and with Wolf Hall I was painfully aware of every syllable

I'm sort of the other way round- I love HM's style, and I was compelled to keep reading it, but I got most annoyed with her taking what I reckon are historical liberties. I think the whole book is an exercise in Lapsed Catholic Nortiness...

Every night would read a lump then drop it on the floor with a massive "CUH!"

...I would urge anyone who likes it to read A Place of Greater Safety- it's one of the bestest books I've ever read. Have attempted to re read a couple of times and each time get nearly to the end- but can't face the grisly finale

Just finished Wolf Hall (and prob. wouldn't have started it without this thread, so thanks!) Liked it ... but I wanted it to go on longer, I wanted to know what she'd have done with Jane Seymour later on. Still, that would have made it even heavier to hold, so I guess no go.

I've not read any of her others - what are they are what are they about? Has she done others from that time period?

I've just finished it - not sooo impressed in the end (tho I like the very last sentence!).

I agree about her TC crush. And in the end he becomes quite one dimensional. Book abit long. It began reminding me of an Anya Seyton (which I overdosed on when I was 14, so the whole historical romance thing felt too familiar perhaps).

But there is more to it than that, detail and atmosphere of the period are completely fascinating. The power politics of Cromwell moving from his mentor Wolsey onto Henry, getting powerful men what they want, whatever it takes. And the More/Cromwell switch very very good. And the Anne B/Mary (her sister) relationship also so well done, the way they each fought for power through their sex appeal the only way available to them.

But it is abit heavy for reading in bed. Looking forward to hearing other people's opinions. Looks 50:50 at the moment.

I found that some sentences literally made me gasp they were so beautifully written. A tour de force, in my view.

Only a small way through so far, and really enjoying it. I like my historical fiction dense!

The period is one of my favourites, and it is interesting seeing Cromwell from a different perspective, or at least seeing him with some depth. He generally seems to be portrayed as no more than a glowering, lumpen shadow in a corner. Although I can see she may be straying into 'tragic hero' territory a bit

Also enjoying More as a bit of a sod. I generally have trouble with More. I'm a bit of a Richard III fan, so can never forgive More for his hatchet job on Richard, but then I also adore 'Man for All Seasons' so I'm always torn.......

Finally got it from my library

Started it last night, and am enjoying it, once I got into the slightly different writing style. I was a bit apprehensive as I don't usually read historical fiction. And the first one I did read was a Phillipa Gregory which is a bit easier!

But so far, so good. Will update once I've finished.

Finally finished it-usually not keen on historical fiction but I really enjoyed it.
Recently read 'Giving up the Ghost ' by her which was a harrowing but brilliant book.

Finished it

At the end I actually wished I hadn't read it, so I still had it to read!

Really, really enjoyed it. Very interesting to see different sides to familiar characters. I have asked for biographies of both Cromwell and Wolsey for my birthday.

Sigh.

Glad to read the positive comments, it's in my 'to read' pile!

It is good,really engaging.Can't get the disembowelings out of my head though (uggh,shuddering emoticon needed)

on my reservations list at the library, cant wait to get it, just hope it lives up to the hype

I read this just before Xmas & really enjoyed it. It does take a bit more effort than a light read (sometimes just to figure out who's saying what) but I thought it was well worth it. Mind you I really enjoy historical novels.

I loved it and loved A Place of Greater Safety too

Am reading it, but taking a lot of time over it as my key time to read is in bed and (as others have said) it isn't an easy bedtime book purely from the weight of it.

Will perservere, tho', as I have so enjoyed the third I've read so far.

And I really loved 'A Place of Greater Safety'. A truly great read!

As an aside - HM also wrote an odd (as in a bit strange) novel called 'Fludd'. Not a historical novel, but black humour. I liked that too, but maybe it'd be too slight for you highbrows?

Interested to read all these comments, I have just started it. Nearly a kilo of hardback to carry to work every day (most of my reading done on the bus). I've loved everything else I've read by her - her style is interesting in this one I think, as she's not trying to use some kind of "historical" voice. MY DP found it hard going as she'd never studied that period of history; I have, quite a lot, so hoping I will be able to follow it.

I loved it.

I missed it for ages when I finished it, but apparently HM is planning/writing a sequel (I wondered why it ended where it did).

chopsache I know what you mean about trying to keep up with who is speaking - Cromwell is the default 'he' in the book, so sometimes a passage will be told from the point of view of a named man, but then the pov slips back to 'him', which is a little hard to get used to.

I'm nearly finished. Its taken me ages as kept stopping when it all got too much, but then throwing myself back into it and loving it.

I never knew I could be so fascinated by Tudor England. I think she's a brilliant writer. I have a bit of a crush on TC myself....

Loved it, wonderful... and nice to compare with historical bio (eg Six Wives of Henry VIII) and at the other end, Philippa Gregory and the Tudors!
Desperate for the sequel.
Initially I found the "he" (never referring to TC by name) a bit confusing. But got used to it.
Didn't feel that dense but then I had just read The Children's Book!

Beyond Black is superb - don't let any blurb ever put you off!!!!

due to read after Childrens Book.