Reviews

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

bluedijon's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolutely astounding. The care with which Mantel treats her characters, and the deftness with which she creates full, lively, three-dimensional humans with such concise prose is just phenomenal. It's a story we've heard a lot, but her focus on the daily, everyday experiences of Cromwell and both humanizing and illustrating how easy it is to slip into a path from which you have no way out is just so impressive. Like a breath of fresh air, which is shocking given how dense you would imagine the book to be. 

mrcreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

5.0

thewasteland's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

4.0

esquared's review against another edition

challenging funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

bszymaniak's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

rosie_reads_7's review

adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition

5.0

Wow! I loved it! I can't speak for historical accuracy, but the characters were interesting and the plot moved right along. Definitely worth reading.

allison_allbookedup's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

jennicajackson's review

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

emilyhei's review against another edition

5.0

Thomas Cromwell could have taken a path in life that led to nothing good, instead his ambition to do well for himself by serving Cardinal Wolsey.   When Henry VII decides he wants his marriage to Katherine to end in divorce so he can marry Anne Boleyn, everything shifts.  Henry's most loyal advisors are now falling while others are whispering their own agenda into Henry's ear.  Cromwell finds himself in a unique position that could change the course of history.

Fantastic story, full of rich history and the cutthroat world of the Tudors.  I wouldn't say he is a character you necessarily like, but he has a presence and a watchful eye that leads to him thinking he is next to the axe to working every angle to ensure he has his interests are protected.   Fascinating, can't wait to read the next book.