Wolf Hall

[EccentricaGallumbits]

Just bought this so I can avoid doing any real work (again).

I'm onlyon page 29 but wondering if it gets good?

Anyone>?

Well, I am reading this, very slooooowly, and enjoying it, but it is hard work and I feel that I can only understand half of it because I have read a bit about period already (eg The Other Boleyn Girl, ha ha). If I didn't know what the plot was going to be I think I would be lost. But maybe she assumes we all know the basic story.

Anyway, now I want to read a proper non-fiction version of his life (although I think there aren't any).

really enjoyed it. Second ladypeterwimsey's comments about use of the word 'he' for any/all male characters.

But getorfmoiland - you are kidding about reading the book in a day?! It's IMMENSE. Took me a couple of months!

I was about to give up on this at the weekend having spent literaaly weeks reading the first 200 pages (when I usually read v. quickly) but, as others have said, I was reading in small chunks late at night. Anyway, yesterday was stuck in with sick child and read 100 pages and think I am now hooked. Stuck in again today so am hoping to get through another (larger) chunk !

Agree with use of 'he' but otherwise quite readable now in to it. The angle taken is quite interesting.

"I did find the use of 'he' confusing for a bit but then I got used to it"

Yes. That is SO annoying. The speech tags are terrible, made worse that she does also use "he said" for other characters too.

However, overall, I really enjoyed it.

I think it's one of those books you need to persevere with, and keep flicking back to the characters at the beginning.

I could not make it to the end. I am a huge history buff and I love Hilary Mantel but I just did not get hooked, gave up half way.

Then went and stared the Dorothy Dunnett Niccolo series, which are amazing!

started not stared, doh!

Am saving this for my long awaited holiday where i probably will not have the time to lounge around anyway.

I've read two of her other books and quite liked them so I think I will take it along and try.

I have just about got to grips with the "he" and I am 500+ pages in...

I agree with people who said it is easier to read in big chunks rather than bite size. I started this on holiday a few weeks ago and, despite having a toddler, managed fairly decent chunks in one go while I ignored my family DH entertained DS

Now I'm home and only really have time to grab maybe 10 pages in bed before I pass out, I'm finding it a bit harder to stay enthusiastic and actually sort of want it just to end .

There are points where I think "Aha!" because I just get it and am completely in Cromwell's world and I then appreciate that she has written a section so beautifully and intricately that I can't imagine any writer writing something better. That is when I am grateful that I picked the book up, but the shame to me is it's not consistently like that IMO when the reviews sort of led me to believe it would be.

I do love the way she writes Anne Boleyn though - she has really brought her alive for me and I feel like I know her for the first time, despite all that has been written about her.

'I think it's one of those books you need to persevere with' Oh dear. I so want to like the sound of this, but my attention span over the last few years since dc is a bit on the pathetic side.

Will wait for the film then (heinous admission on a book thread there!)

Anyone who likes 'Wolf Hall' and other meaty historical fiction should have a go at 'A Place of Greater Safety' - it's aces (about Robespierre, Desmoulins and Danton in the French Revolution).

Same proviso applies though - no point reading it in small chunks.

Im glad it wasn't just me with the weird use of "he". I thought I wasn't concentrating and that was why I didnt know who was talking.
Apart from that I loved it!

She might as well use 'he' nearly everyone is called Thomas

I lost my copy for a good while and just found it again today (whilst looking for my library card!)

I'd just started Gone with the wind - but I think I'll put that on hold and go back to Wolf Hall - it's interesting me - but has capitvated me yet (if that makes any sense)

I've just started this, and have to admit to finding it heavy going.

History isn't really my thing, so I'm having to concentrate and really think about what I'm reading, and I have to keep referring to the family tree/list of characters.

Normally I read very quickly and admit that I often skim read, which you just can't do with this book.

I'm about 150 pages in, I think, and am sort of enjoying it so far.

(Trying to read it on the tube, coming home from a good night out last night probably wasn't the best way to enjoy it!)

I started it about two months ago, was really enjoying it, but it's a book you cannot read when you are very tired. Too complicated! So, inevitably, as all my reading is just before I fall asleep, I lost my way with it. I was about a quarter of the way through. I intend to try again though!

MrsSaxon - I've just read Wolf Hall, but read it directly after reading the whole Dorothy Dunnet Niccolo series. It definitely helped, I think, as I was already in thegroove of books that need quite a bit of concentration.

Funnily enough, I felt that Cromwell was Niccolo lite, iyswim. I guess because there's only the one book, we don't 'know' him in the same way that we get to know Niccolo, who strangely feels more 'real' to me than the person who actually lived!

Whenever she refers to "he" she means Cromwell. Simples. everyone else is referred to by name.

i loved it, and found it a page turner, a la jackie collins. i have eclectic taste in literature.

I loved it too, and am looking forward to the sequel she said she's going to write.

Apparently she'll be on R4 book club next month - will be interesting to hear .

I got it for christmas and got 100 pages in and then sort of put it on hold while I read easier less worthy books. Have now got to go into hospital for a couple of weeks though so it will be an ideal opportunity to pick it up - think I may have to restart it again. Also remember being confused by the he thing but also thinking it was a book to savour, when I could be bothered and had the time.