This book is extraordinary. I have never read a historical novel that seems like I am reading real history, but this book does it. It could never be compared with other Tudor novels in that the detail in Wolf Hall is so finely described, down to Henry's pudgy fingers covered in ruby rings.
The book itself is based around Thomas Cromwell and Hilary Mantel writes him as a sympathetic figure and not the tight lipped and narrowed eyed brute depicted in the Holbein portrait.
Wolf Hall is part one of a two part story. The title is misleading. Wolf Hall is the country home of the Seymour family and it hardly warrants a mention in the book save for a few references. You find out on the final page, in the final sentence why the book was called Wolf Hall. To avoid spoiling it for any other reader, I will not comment further.
Hilary Mantel is up for the Man Booker prize on 6 October 2009. She should win it, given that she has defined a new genre of historical writing. I listened to a talk she gave in May about the book and I will try and find the link and add it to the bottom of this post.
Hilary Mantel writes with an assured style. Her use of the English Language is so beautiful and her descriptive powers so assured that I have actually read some sentences twice to enjoy the beauty of her words. Yes, she is that good. It is a long book (Wolf Hall) and it does not end with Cromwell's death .. I expect part two will deal with that.
If you want to have a reading treat, read Wolf Hall. Get it from Amazon .. it is ÂĢ8.50, as opposed to W H Smith where it retails at circa ÂĢ16. I can't find the link atm, but will post it when I can.
The book itself is based around Thomas Cromwell and Hilary Mantel writes him as a sympathetic figure and not the tight lipped and narrowed eyed brute depicted in the Holbein portrait.
Wolf Hall is part one of a two part story. The title is misleading. Wolf Hall is the country home of the Seymour family and it hardly warrants a mention in the book save for a few references. You find out on the final page, in the final sentence why the book was called Wolf Hall. To avoid spoiling it for any other reader, I will not comment further.
Hilary Mantel is up for the Man Booker prize on 6 October 2009. She should win it, given that she has defined a new genre of historical writing. I listened to a talk she gave in May about the book and I will try and find the link and add it to the bottom of this post.
Hilary Mantel writes with an assured style. Her use of the English Language is so beautiful and her descriptive powers so assured that I have actually read some sentences twice to enjoy the beauty of her words. Yes, she is that good. It is a long book (Wolf Hall) and it does not end with Cromwell's death .. I expect part two will deal with that.
If you want to have a reading treat, read Wolf Hall. Get it from Amazon .. it is ÂĢ8.50, as opposed to W H Smith where it retails at circa ÂĢ16. I can't find the link atm, but will post it when I can.
I think Amazon are the cheapest at the moment. I noticed that play are charging about ÂĢ12.50, but with free postage. The only trouble with Amazon is that you have to spend ÂĢ15+ to qualify for free postage. I ordered another book at the same time as Wolf Hall .. believe it or not - the absolute polar opposite of Wolf Hall .... wait for it .. 'Treat them mean and keep them keen' by Gerry of BB7. This is a lovely little book where Gerry gives tips on the dating scene, from a gay Greek point of view
. It's a little gem actually. I am half-way through it at the minute. The dating scene is the farthest thing from my lifestyle atm but I love his saucy humour, and he was my favourite HM of that year. 
(as long as it still tells a good tale). I think that's why I:ve always loved Peter Ackroyd's books (and Patrick Suskind's 'Perfume')