Thomas Cromwell’s star is ascending. From the docks of Putney, where his father beats him, to the grandest palaces in England, Cromwell’s rise is nothing short of amazing. A clever politician, hardened by years abroad, Cromwell knows when to leave Wolsey’s sinking ship and head to the king’s side, where he is the one who most helps him divorce his wife so that he can marry Anne Boleyn. Through both personal tragedy and public glory, Cromwell is an enigmatic character, and Hilary Mantel has given him the story he deserves.
I’m not sure how I feel about this Booker Prize winner. It has both its good and its bad points. I do think it was written well. I was forewarned about the excessive use of “he” and whenever I couldn’t track the direct reference, I assumed that the author was talking about Cromwell, so that didn’t bother me. I didn’t like that it was written in present tense, though, because it kept jumping out at me and reminding me how much I dislike present tense. Moreover, the book was often boring, and dragged on excessively, especially for someone who knows the Tudor period far too well. It follows the history, but that doesn’t always make for a particularly exciting story.
On the other hand, this is possibly the best picture of Tudor England I have ever read. For some reason, Mantel could transport me there better than anyone has before. I loved that she focused on Cromwell, someone who is often in the background or villainized, and made him into a genuine person. He had such a varied background that Mantel could write about the poor as well as the rich. She could write about the middle class, which Cromwell occupies for a while. She gives us a picture of all levels of society, and we can greater see the contrast of the elegant man in the king’s glittering court to the poor boy with his beaten face pressed into the mud. The detail in this book is astounding, and admittedly is part of the reason it dragged, but creates a whole picture of a world that could easily be foreign.
I also really liked Cromwell, surprisingly. His character was well-rounded and I felt like he was a person I could relate to in a world that I couldn’t. He’s a very clever man, but he also experiences grief and joy just like the rest of us. I think many people could see themselves in his character because he feels like a human being, not a character on the page. Cromwell’s character is, in my opinion, what makes this book great, despite the fact that the plot is so very meandering.
So I’m unsure as to whether or not I can recommend Wolf Hall. If you’re in the mood for a fast read, stay away. I suggest instead taking it slowly and appreciating the world that Mantel creates. I hear Mantel is writing a sequel and I know I still want to read it.
I am an Amazon Associate. I received this book from the publisher for review.
I just got a copy of this – got to love early birthday presents
– and I’m looking forward to reading it. Good advice on taking it slow, I glanced through it and it doesn’t seem to be a quick read…
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays =-.
I have this one requested from the library, so I’m patiently waiting my turn. I’m excited to get to it!
Lezlie
.-= Lezlie´s last blog ..THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ =-.
I’ve heard mostly great things about this one, and as someone who does not know much about Tudor history, I’m hoping it won’t drag for me. I’m saving this one to read on the train home for Christmas!
.-= nomadreader´s last blog ..book review: No Time to Wave Goodbye by Jacquelyn Mitchard =-.
Your review is really helpful. I know I want to read this book but I was unsure of what to expect.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday: A Separate Country =-.
I feel like newer reviews of Wolf Hall are less positive than the older reviews- I wonder if maybe the book doesn’t live up to the hype and honors it’s received? I feel that happens a lot with hyped-up books. I read Wolf Hall and LOVED it. But I just really like Mantel, I think. Her writing style seems really great to me, for whatever reason!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Granta: The Chicago Edition =-.
The reviews for this book seem to be all over the place. I suspect it’s probably well written but a little too historical for me.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: The Wife’s Tale =-.
I enjoyed your honest review. I DO plan to read this book at some point, but not just now.
.-= diane´s last blog ..November Reading in Review =-.
I grabbed a copy of this a few weeks ago and am really anxious to start it. I have heard it’s a bit slow, but I really love that period so I think it will be a great read. Thanks for the awesome review!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Replacement Child by Judy Mandel – 256 pgs =-.
I’ve seen both glowing reviews of this book and REALLY negative ones. It just seems to be one of those! It sounds like you took something from it even if you didn’t exactly love it. I’ll get to it sooner or later
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Three Comics: Scheherazade, Dolltopia and Re-Gifters =-.
I am getting close to the 200 page mark with this book and I completely agree with you about liking Cromwell. I’m thinking to myself – how did that happen? I think it’s a sign of a good book to make a character otherwise vilified sympathetic. I also agree with you about it not being a fast read. I’ve really had to concentrate especially because it can be unclear who is speaking or that anyone is speaking at all. Interesting style there. Great review, Meghan! I can’t wait to finish it so we can talk about it in more depth.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..Neverwhere and Beyond Retrospective & Winners =-.
The portrait of Cromwell sounds really intriguing. I’d definitely like to read about his childhood. At the same time, though, I tend to not go for the TMI and meandery plots. So I’m not sure about this one….
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Soulless =-.
I too have noticed the mixed reviews, but this phrase caught my eye: “the best picture of Tudor England I have ever read.” — That is worth a lot.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday (December 2) =-.
I agree….not a fast read. However, I do like it.
Love the review. Thanks
.-= Wisteria Leigh´s last blog ..Virtual Blog Tour-Shades of Gray with Jessica James =-.
I suspect it might be less interesting for those who know lots about the Tudor period (not me last time I did the Tudors was during primary school history). I adored the writing style, but still nto sure about the rational for that ‘he’ thing.
Hmm. I think I’m still going to ask for this for Christmas, but I’ll be forewarned that it isn’t a quick read, so that I don’t end up disappointed by the slowness.
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Bad Girls Don’t Die – Book Review =-.
I have borrowed this from the library a couple of times now, but I think I am going to have to wait a while before I borrow it again as I just don’t think I will be able to get through it in the time that I have, and with other library books due back as well. Maybe I will buy it then just read a bit at a time.
I completely understand what you mean in this review – as I was reading it, I felt like it was taking forever. But I didn’t quit, because I was strangely fascinated. I just missed a lot of the “drama” of Tudor England that I have come to expect – it seemed a bit removed from the story.
I think I might actually enjoy this one. It is intriguing to catch a glimpse of the person behind the politician.
Sometimes, slow reads are good
.-= Nish´s last blog ..Yay! I Actually won Something =-.
I’m definitely going to be reading this one, but it’s nice to know what other people didn’t like about it before going in. The “he” tip is espcecially helpful.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Fallen – Lauren Kate =-.
This has been on my TBR list for a while, but it frightens me a little. Overall, I have read mostly great reviews on the book. I hear that it has a lot of strong qualities, many of which you discussed in your review. Still, I worry that it doesn’t have enough to really hold my attention. But I guess I’ll never know if I don’t give it a shot.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Review: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen =-.
Whenever I think I’ve gotten my fill of Tudor England, another book comes along to make me totally question that! I’m undecided about whether or not I could tackle this one… part of me really wants to try, because it’s everywhere, but I’ve never been particularly fascinated by Cromwell. Still, I might toss it on the ol’ wishlist and see what happens
Great review!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Why I’m a hopeless romantic, vol. 1: Craigslist’s ‘Missed Connections’ =-.
Thanks for an interesting review. I’ve just finished this and, like you, I’m unsure whether I would recommend it or not. Although I really enjoyed it, the stylistic idiosyncrasies make it an acquired taste and I wouldn’t be confident that others would get as much from it as myself.
Whatever you feel about the writing style, the characterisation is great and Mantel’s descriptions of Tudor England are so atmospheric that it’s easy to get swept away in the nuances of the novel.
Matthew (@thebibliofreak)´s last post …Review: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel