Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009'Lock Cromwell in a deep dungeon in the morning,' says Thomas More, 'and when you come back that night he'll be sitting on a plush cushion eating larks' tongues, and all the gaolers will owe him money.'England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk, and later his successor.Cromwell is a ...
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Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009'Lock Cromwell in a deep dungeon in the morning,' says Thomas More, 'and when you come back that night he'll be sitting on a plush cushion eating larks' tongues, and all the gaolers will owe him money.'England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk, and later his successor.Cromwell is a wholly original man: the son of a brutal blacksmith, a political genius, a briber, a charmer, a bully, a man with a delicate and deadly expertise in manipulating people and events. Ruthless in pursuit of his own interests, he is as ambitious in his wider politics as he is for himself. His reforming agenda is carried out in the grip of a self-interested parliament and a king who fluctuates between romantic passions and murderous rages.From one of our finest living writers, `Wolf Hall' is that very rare thing: a truly great English novel, one that explores the intersection of individual psychology and wider politics. With a vast array of characters, and richly overflowing with incident, it peels back history to show us Tudor England as a half-made society, moulding itself with great passion, suffering and courage.
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Add this copy of Wolf Hall to cart. $2.49, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Fourth Estate Ltd.
Add this copy of Wolf Hall to cart. $2.49, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Fourth Estate Ltd.
Add this copy of Wolf Hall to cart. $2.50, good condition, Sold by The Maryland Book Bank rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from baltimore, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Fourth Estate Ltd.
This Tutor era piece is exceptional.If you like literary historical fiction, Wolf Hall is a must. The dialogue is so outstanding, and draws the reader into the book. You and imagin geing in the room, during these monarchicalstruggles of power. Loved it!
william y
Jun 23, 2015
Must read
This is s must read for anyone who enjoys a historical novel written in a most unique style. Hilary Mantel takes you inside the world, and mind, of one of the most interesting men who made the reign of Henry VIII a facinating period. The style of writing would make this a must read regardless of the particular character holding center stage. Can't wait to start the following two books in the series.
bookwomanAnnie
May 1, 2015
Confusing read
Although this book won awards, I have reservations about why it did so. Proper grammar? check. Good editing? check. Historical accuracy? . . . maybe. But who could tell from the way it is written? I had to drag out a history book to put the pieces together.
The novel is a tale spun as though you are viewing another person's dream, wandering in and out of personal and public areas of thought in a single paragraph not clarified by quotation marks. Most of the time there is no clear delineation between the character's actual thought, the imagination of the author, or dream-like state among several characters interacting in a surreal situation, leaving you to wonder if such ever took place, or only was something the character hoped would take place, but never did.
In short, it is a confusing read.
If you like reading something and never really being sure what's going on, then this book is for you. It will help to watch the video production along with reading the book. They need each other to help clarify what is going on.
Carol R
Aug 1, 2013
The other Cromwell
A marvelous book - I imagine reading it over and over. Hilary Mantel has produced a look at the Renaissance in Britain that was so engaging, I had trouble putting the book down but I didn't want it to end, so I rationed my reading. I wanted to move in with Thomas and take care of him.
Democritus3
Jul 5, 2013
Great historical novel
Mantel did her homework in researching the historical background of this novel. The characters come alive and they reflect accurately what we know about the real historical individuals. Great stuff although the revisionist scholars of the English Reformation will hate it.