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red_november's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hannahgough's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
This took me a LONG time to get through, but then again, it is a LONG book. Set in the English court of Henry VIII against the drama of Anne Boleyn and the rise of the Anglican church, the book is told through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, a low-born commoner who rises to become one of Henry's chief advisors. Definitely entertaining and educational, but very, very dense. Not a good choice for the summer beach read! That being said, I'm already into Mantel's sequel that was just released. Thomas Cromwell is an unforgettable character!
helenamt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ainsleym's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the audiobook!!! Didn't have any issues distinguishing voices. Very even volume and pacing throughout. Will be continuing the series on audio and would highly recommend reading it this way.
The writing was spectacular and I loved how it didn't feel too much like looking back at this time period from the modern day, it just felt like it was fully set in the past. I don't know too much about this time period besides recognizing some of the names and I think I would've gotten more out of it if I had been familiar with the history but I was still able to follow. Definitely very slow paced and focused on showing all of the interactions between all of the characters but I think it earned its page count through the high level of detail, intrigue, and commitment to showing everything that Cromwell would've experienced.
The writing was spectacular and I loved how it didn't feel too much like looking back at this time period from the modern day, it just felt like it was fully set in the past. I don't know too much about this time period besides recognizing some of the names and I think I would've gotten more out of it if I had been familiar with the history but I was still able to follow. Definitely very slow paced and focused on showing all of the interactions between all of the characters but I think it earned its page count through the high level of detail, intrigue, and commitment to showing everything that Cromwell would've experienced.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
Mantel's writing style is unusual, and takes some getting used to. When it works, Wolf Hall is utterly mesmerizing. But sometimes it doesn't work, and then it just seems coy and smug-- as if Mantel enjoys being obscure and difficult (and it's entirely possible that she does). There were half a dozen scenes where even after re-reading them three or four times, I still couldn't figure out what happened, or who said what. Still, now that I'm done, the brilliant bits are what stand out in my mind: the relationship between Cromwell and Wolsey, the portrait of Anne, the series of confrontations between Cromwell and More at the end. Worth reading.
louisayd's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but the syntax really held me back. For a book about Thomas Cromwell of this length, it uses the word "Cromwell" sparingly in favor of "he" or "him". The syntax choices made it less clear and less enjoyable to read with sentences like, "He talked to him about Anne;" while meaning "Cromwell talked to Henry/the king about Anne."
After the fact, the syntax paints Cromwell as this invisible force in the Tudor court and captures his role well. From an academic stand point this is a stunning literary choice, but from a reader's perspective it makes the book more difficult to follow.
After the fact, the syntax paints Cromwell as this invisible force in the Tudor court and captures his role well. From an academic stand point this is a stunning literary choice, but from a reader's perspective it makes the book more difficult to follow.
esieho's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5