Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Wolf Hall

By Hilary Mantel

This is the first book that I have not been able to read to the end since I became a member of the reading group several years ago.  After the account of Cromwell's early life, I found the book for me became too bogged down with characters and lacking in action.  I persevered for two hundred and forty-four pages but didn't find it very interesting, it was also far too long.  2/10

I think this is a stunning, imaginative re-creation of a Tudor period most people are familiar with in outline.  It was interesting that the author chose to centre the novel on Thomas Cromwell, a vital participant in affairs, who is not so well known to the general reader.  I was convinced by the character she developed and by the tumultuous goings on at court and also by the London events, brilliant or brutal.  You need patience to cope with the numerous characters but they add to the density of this Tudor re-creation.  I thought the author had over-indulged herself in writing to such inordinate length, but I read to the end.  9/10

Read up to page 340 - still hadn't got into the book and gave up.  Would not recommend it!  1/10

A well researched, interesting take on Tudor History.  However it is very intense and convoluted particularly in political 'lawyer-speak'.  The characters are finely drawn but I found it annoying that Thomas Cromwell was always referred to as 'he'.  It is difficult to read in large chunks and one needs more time to absorb all the happenings.  Although that period is well known to many people a different perspective is provided as the major characters come vividly to life.  8/10