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tillywark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've also come to the conclusion that Thomas More was selfish, choosing to die for his religion instead of finding a means to stay alive for the sake of his wife and children. Catherine of Aragon loved King Henry to the end of her days, and I'm convinced that Anne Boleyn was bat crap wackadoo. I mean certifiably insane. And Thomas Cromwell is too damn smart for his own good. His genius will be his downfall.
Also, having touched on many facets of the Tudor Era in a couple of university English classes gave me an additional insight into the events of the book. I highly recommend this for anyone with an interest in history or politics.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
Graphic descriptions of abuse and executions (note this is historically accurate, and not done for any shock factors).justinenoon82's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is unequivocally the best novel I have read in the last decade. Rarely does a book like this come along and completely change your brain chemistry, but this is just such a one. I cannot overstate the sumptuous descriptions, the thorough characterization of Cromwell, and the faithfulness to the historical time line of Tudor England.
In this first novel you watch Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn’s meteoric rise, Thomas from peasant to peer, and Anne from Lady to Queen. You get excited for them...until you remember what happens to them both. You know what happens. We all do. And it overshadows *everything*. Can you be truly happy for them when you know the man who has raised them up so high will also bring about their downfall? God, it’ll break your heart in such an achingly good way.
Normally when a book so wonderful comes my way, I cannot put it down and move through it quickly, but for *Wolf Hall*, I couldn’t help but stretch out my reading of it over the course of several months. This is a book to be savored. There is nothing else quite like it, except, perhaps, Hilary Mantel’s other works within this trilogy, though I know the events and prose will utterly devastate me. Even the t.v. show adaptation blows me away! I cannot recommend this book/series/t.v. show enough.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
whirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage
jlboro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It was the difference between reading a Shakespeare production and listening to a stage production. (Which makes sense as Miles played Cromwell in a production of Wolf Hall!)
I actually tried reading the physical book and really struggled. Miles’ voice brings to life a dense and detail-rich story. This was the reason I actually didn’t do a full 5-stars because the physical book is hard to follow which “he” the author is referencing with a cast of almost all men. That and the fact that you should do some research as to “who’s who” and their political roles if you’re not already familiar with Tudor history.
All around I’m excited for Book 2 and feeing pretty intimidated by a 38-hour Book 3, but I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience with Miles’ talent in Mantel’s capable hands.
Minor: Death
heather667's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide, Pedophilia, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and War
maevesheehan's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Death
naomi_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Confinement, Self harm, Torture, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
georgie_mb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I started off reading this as a buddy read with someone else, but unfortunately my friend didn’t make it past the 1/4 mark but I decided to persevere.
It had been truly fascinating to read about Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power, and there are some brilliant moments to humour and clever speech. However, the main problem I found with this is the flow of the writing. It took me at least 200 pages to get into this (normally I DNF but I kept going because of the buddy read) and then after that, it would be on and off. I would find myself sucked into the story, with pages flying by, only to be chucked out again and left feeling a little lost. She does mention in the notes at the end that it’s hard to please both historian and reader, but I think she could have made it a little easier for the reader to follow, especially as she uses pronouns so much that you never know who’s talking!
I am glad I read this, as it’s definitely not your everyday novel, but it will be a while before I decide whether to pick up the next book.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Child death, Torture, Blood, Grief, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
tarajoy90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death and Death