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Comments (102)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 102 items
Feb 09, 2024Hillsboro_JeanineM rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I'm not usually a reader of historical fiction but Mantel's Man booker winning novel "Wolf Hall" is an engrossing tale of the rise of Thomas Cromwell. Mantel seamlessly captures Cromwell's story and although a lengthy read the pages fly by.
Sep 16, 20232Cent rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
I read about 15% of the book. It is very difficult to read, and to keep track of the characters. I don't know the history, so that is no help to me. Perhaps, if you are familiar with this history, it would be easier to read.
Jul 21, 2023xxzz rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A truly awful story, but exceptionally well-written. Could not put it down.
Apr 07, 2023
#1 in Wolf Hall Series - LISTEN
Nov 25, 2022mebacher rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I can see how the writing style might not be to everyone's taste, but I loved it. Mantel took a story everyone knows a little about and many of us know a lot about and made it fresh, intriguing, and dramatic while conjuring the sights,…
Aug 28, 2021AnnieFofa rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Wolf Hall makes War and Peace look like a short story!! I think those who get through all 650 pages should get some kind of reward! Seriously, I DID read the whole book and enjoyed it, though I do agree that the unattributed use of “he…
Jul 29, 2021davidbspencer rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
As recommended, I read this one first, then the rest of the trilogy in order of publication so I could keep the chronology straight and get the full scope of an important period in English history. Unfortunately, I accomplished neither…
Mar 24, 2021maipenrai rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Wow! This is an amazing retelling of the saga of Henry VIII and his efforts to marry Anne Boleyn. Told from the point of view of Oliver Cromwell who becomes the second most powerful man in England because he has the ear of the king and…
Mar 24, 2021maipenrai rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Wow! This is an amazing retelling of the saga of Henry VIII and his efforts to marry Anne Boleyn. Told from the point of view of Oliver Cromwell who becomes the second most powerful man in England because he has the ear of the king and…
Mar 22, 2021gale37 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I read just over half of this book and gave up. I found the grammatical aspect annoying (the whole book is written in the present tense). Like many other readers, I was constantly wondering who "He" is. I get it, it's usually Thomas…
Mar 20, 2021xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
vol 1 as last read, felt less dread, and traced smoother tread.  3 vol all end with behead, vol 2 blood the most shed. all cast's origin well fed, augment the plot later embed. dramatized what Howard said; aggrandized how More…
Feb 19, 2021gwendae rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
first book in Thomas Cromwell Series. I've now read all three: Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light. In total they comprise the best-written, most interesting and immersive series I have ever read, since, as a kid,…
Apr 01, 2020josieschneiderSI rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
All hail Hilary Mantel, master of bringing the Tudor court to life so palpably you feel you are really there! As a lover of this time period, I will read anything centering on the Tudor dynasty from Shakespeare to the silliest YA romp.…
Mar 23, 2020tjdickey rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Mantel begins her trilogy with a gripping novel of the rise of Thomas Cromwell in the heady (and dangerous) political landscape of Henry VIII's court. Figures like Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, William…
Aug 25, 2019
Part of former US President, Barack Obama's summer reading list for 2019.
Jun 27, 2019
I loved this book (and also Bring Up the Bodies). I am just puzzled that anyone found either book boring. I read both of them feeling like I WAS Thomas Cromwell. Made the time come alive for me.
Nov 30, 2018CReadsBooksSometimes rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
It took me ages to finish it and I felt like celebrating when I did. I loved the BBC miniseries and I did appreciate the first and last third of it, but it was hard to get into the groove of this book. However, the detail, the portrayal of…
Nov 28, 2018Papadog rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Wow, great title and that's about it. Despite all the critical acclaim it's just a very boring read. The potential is amazing, and I imagine the research and work that went into it was substantial, but the writing was just missing some…
Apr 05, 2017
Fun read. I am not sure I wouldn't like a good history book about the same era just as much, maybe more?
Feb 09, 2017captbligh rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Easy to read, continully enthralling. A guise of history in soap opera form. Too many names to remember.
Dec 12, 2016Bunny_Watson716 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
For fans of dense historical fiction who enjoy novels set in Tudor England. This is a book you can sink your teeth into and you won't be disappointed with Mantel's richly detailed writing style.
Jan 17, 2016msemos rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
too many characters with too many names and too much going on for me to keep track of it all very easily. at times I thought it was a great book and at other times it was so boring that I had to put it down and read another book. I…
Aug 17, 2015MIDDLE TOWN rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Not the most well-written, but but a fresh take on the events surrounding Henry VIII
Aug 05, 2015vv11 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Set during the reign of Henry VIII, Wolf Hall is the story of Thomas Cromwell's rise in station and fortune. A learned man, Cromwell is privy to much of Henry's business (the country's as well as the king's personal affairs) as he works…
Jul 10, 2015
March 10 - Vera-Marie