Wolf Hall

The Wolf Hall Trilogy, #1

by Hilary Mantel

Paperback, 653 pages

English language

Published April 18, 2011 by Harper Perennial.

ISBN:: 978-1-55468-778-7
OCLC Number:: 775060701

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(8 reviews)

Assuming the power recently lost by the disgraced Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell counsels a mercurial Henry VIII on the latter's efforts to marry Anne Boleyn against the wishes of Rome, a successful endeavor that comes with a dangerous price.England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but he has no male heir. Despite opposition from the pope and most of Europe, he is determined to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The quest for the king's freedom destroys his brilliant adviser, Cardinal Wolsey, and leaves a power vacuum and a deadlock. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell. A political genius, a briber, a bully and a charmer, Cromwell has broken all the rules of a rigid society in his ascent to power, and he is preparing to break some more. Pitting himself against parliament, the political establishment and the papacy, he is prepared to reshape …

5 editions

Aaron reviewed Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (The Wolf Hall Trilogy, #1)

Wolf Hall

5 stars

I don't read a ton of fiction that takes actual historical figures as their characters. I'm not even sure why I made an exception for Wolf Hall, other than the fact that has been so widely acclaimed and since I'm not a historian of the UK, Mantel could write pretty much anything and I would believe it. The achievement here is significant -- Mantel juggles an enormous cast of characters, and the book consists almost entirely of dialogue among them. Cromwell is "he" throughout the course of the book, and with him there are rapid-fire shifts from exterior to interior dialogue. Does this book comport with "what happened"? I can't say -- but it was a powerful read and I enjoyed it immensely.

ana reviewed Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (The Wolf Hall Trilogy, #1)

Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

3 stars

I wonder what Mantel thought was wrong with Cromwell's name that she had to substitute it with a 'he' every time she refers to him. It would have made sense if there had been no other men in the narration, but there were and too many times it was necessary to re-read whole paragraphs to find out which 'he' she was talking about.

In a few occasions there were entire pages of irrelevant non-action and seemingly intentionally confusing writing, like when 'Liz Cromwell' seems to be flying (years after she's dead) and you're left wondering if you're reading some one's dream until a page or two later of the flight's description when it is finally explained that names of dead ladies have been given to birds.

A great novel and good historical fiction as the rest of the reviews show, but these unnecessary gimmicks that distract from the content of …

A great novel and good historical fiction as the rest of the reviews show, but these unnecessary gimmicks that distract from the content of the novel make it a bit difficult to understand that it got so many awards.

In a few places it is a page-turner, but mostly it is not.

Good writing is that which is easy to read. This was not always

perfischer reviewed Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Review of 'Wolf Hall' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Pretty solid most of the way, though a bit overly long and drawn out in places (I was struggling a bit around pp 350-450).
My second reading has changed my view - this is masterful all the way, didn't experience the lull this time.