Lately, when I read a new book, it’s one and done. By that I mean one chapter or even one single page and I’ve already come to the conclusion that the book is a DNF. Yeah, I know, there’s nothing new under the sun. But there are new ways to tell old familiar tales.
I am loving Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize. This is the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn as told through the eyes of their contemporary, and their very much doomed, Machiavelli, Thomas Cromwell. Ms. Mantel hooked me with her very first sentence:
“So now get up.”
Six hundred and four brilliant, shining pages, and I am savoring every single word.
As you know, you have until midnight Sunday, the 18th, to participate in both the Stuff Your Stockings Blog Hop and my own giveaway, so be sure to leave comments and your email contact.
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Thanks for telling me about the book. I love reading about Henry VIII.
I listened to Wolf Hall on audio last year and liked it, but I wasn’t bowled over by it like you are. How do you like the whole “he” pronoun thing regarding Cromwell, I remember many people found it bothersome. LOL! His name is never actually used when referring to him in the third person, it’s always “he.”
love the hop and finish it today thank you and have great holiday
desi the blonde @ msn.com
You know how it ends - heads will roll!
Well, yes, Steph, I do know how it ends, but I’m thinking the author does not tell the story all the way to the end. When it comes to Tudor politics, heads to tend to roll.
Julie - I can’t imagine that this book would translate well to an audio book. I didn’t like the weird third person set-up mixed with first person observations for about a minute. Then I really liked it. It was the same with the book, All the Pretty Horses. Disliked the run-on sentences for a page and then fell in love with the book.
Amber - I was never a Cromwell fan, but he’s quite a sympathetic character in this tale.
Julia - I thought it was very well done in audio, I started reading it but couldn’t get into it in print, so opted for audio instead. I did love Cromwell’s dry little remarks on everyone, for instance on “Mary - that talking shrimp?” LOL! His thoughts on More were good too - some of the best lines in the book! I heard she’s writing a sequel which continues Cromwell’s story to the end.
Hi Julie - I don’t think I want to read to the end because it’s a forgone conclusion. I already know. He’s opened my eyes on the saintly Thomas More, that’s for sure! Never again will I look at him the same. What a little bitch! And I agree with him regarding Mary! And the Duke of Norfolk. The entire Howard family…sheesh! The Cardinal never did understand his fall from grace. I think the phrase - How the mighty have fallen - was meant for Cardinal Wolsey.
This book sounds fabulous. Thank you for pointing it out!
In the bigger picture most of the people who rose to the top were there because they were literally bred to compete against each other and there were few true innocents in the court crowd, even Thomas Moore made mistakes.
Wolsey’s role at the time was one of CEO to a very powerful foreign run church.
XXOO Kat
Two lessons Kat - the same people who lift you up and tear you down. And everybody likes to see great man brought to his knees - who knows why we humans are like that…Schadenfreude.
It was problematic that Wolsey was far richer than King Henry… That had to create some tension.
Schadenfreude, is a totally new word to me. I love it! It figures we had to look to the German’s to get this sentiment right and give us the perfect word. Thank you for the holiday gift! lol
XXOO Kat
Kat - LOL! Happy to give you a new word!
I’m glad to hear you liked the book! I had my hands on it in Costco and couldn’t decide if I should buy it (since I had recently gone on a Tudors binge). Thanks Julia!
It’s a great book, Casey, but different. Very different style.