I did not like this book as well as "Bring up the Bodies."--maybe I've had too much English history lately.

It's true that characters and events are sometimes hard to follow, but even if you miss some of that this book is worth reading for its gorgeous writing. Mantel's style glitters and is sometimes breathtaking. The character Cromwell is one of the most complex and finely rendered I have encountered.

This book can be very confusing. So many people have the same name and the dialogue gives little reference as to who is speaking. I found it helpful to photo copy the "Cast of Characters" and the "Family Trees" listed at the beginning of the book, and keep them handy. I also brushed up on British history, trying to understand it better. After finishing the book I learned the main character is referred to as "he." This bit of information would have made things infinitely easier. I would not have finished this book if not for its Booker Prize status. I'm still undecided as to whether I liked it or not.

I tried to read this last year and could not get into it. I just tried again and am so glad I did as I really enjoyed it the second time. It can be confusing at times but usually "he" refers to Cromwell. I enjoyed it so much I am reading the sequel.

My most enjoyable read of late has been Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantle. I read most of it whilst Helena and I where away just pre-Christmas. Was just what was needed after finishing work – engrossing & diverting. The book explores a rich time in English history (Henry the 8th, his 1st 2 wives, reformation politics and the intrigues of his rivalling advisors). Hilary won the Man Booker Prize for this excellent book. I am a great appreciator of historical fiction and this is a superb example of this genre – I recommend it.

I had a hard time at first keeping track of everyone, and everything that was going on. I have always been intrigued by the Tudor times and did enjoy this story once I got the hang of Mantel`s writing. That Thomas Cromwell - I would definitely want him as a friend but would still watch my back.

Elegant, masterful, evocative, complex and compelling. Fully deserving of the prizes it has garnered. The best historical fiction I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Unusually sympathic portrait of Cromwell, who is presented as a fully developed three-dimensional character. If you enjoy this, you must also read the next in the series, Bring up the bodies.

Don't know if I like this book or not. Checked it out one day when I kept seeing it on the shelf at my library, which is strange, because it has like 61 holds on it now, but when I saw it,it sat on the shelf for about three weeks before I finally checked it out. I am really interested in Henry VIII. his wives, children, his entourage. I found this book a little slow, but I kept at it. What I found confusing was the word, "he". The author used it a lot, and I was really confused as to who "he" was when there were lots of "he-s" in the room at the same time. Needless to say, it is SO copious, I had a hard time reading it all and couldn't renew it because someone had holds on it, and surprised to see that it still has so many holds on it so I guess I will have to wait until the end of the year to try to finish where I left off. I found it both interesting and uninteresting, boring, yet not boring, sinister and sad. Even though I got to see another side of Thomas Cromwell that I have only had one sided views of, I still think of him as a snake in the grass opportunist who's revision of the religion in England is still felt to this day. I guess I'm sitting right smack in the middle of the fence with this book.

Like some, I resisted this a bit at first but became drawn in and look forward to reading more of Mantel. The present tense and sometimes ambiguous second person require a little focus from the reader, but the layered, textured prose rewards attentive reading. This is not history, although it is historical. Mantel's interest is not in telling a story about the 1500s, but in illuminating, perhaps commenting on, themes that are very contemporary. Science, finance and religion, the role of the state, the personal in the political, even urban development are current topics, but Mantel shows that they have a long history and context. Looking at Cromwell as one of the first modern men at a time when European society was breaking out of medievalism is a fascinating take on the differences between our society and its roots. His rationalism and political manipulation, though unpopular, are the unquestioned basis of the modern society. Equally interesting to see Thomas More portrayed as a religious fanatic, and compare that to the modern image of him as a principled moralist standing up against tyranny. As we know, they are not so far apart. I liked the details of daily life in London in 1530, which set the scene but don't become laboured. My principal criticism is that it makes Cromwell into a kind of superman who can do everything. Perhaps in his time he was - perhaps that's what stands between modern and medieval.

It took me while to get into this book. But once I got really into it, I found it enthralling. A truly masterful writer of historical fiction. She has no peer.