Reading the Chunksters discussion

Ok...the third part!! What are your thoughts?



Anne and Henry VIII

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about it at this point. Some parts flow really well and are very interesting, others just feel slow and monotonous and like the book is never, ever going to end. I'm having a hard time connecting to the characters.

I feel similarly about the "flow" of the book. But I'm really intrigued by the writing because it doesn't resemble anything I know.

Maybe my interest emerged from another book series I've read. It began in the times of the Hundred Years' War and ended with the end of the Wars of the Roses, i.e., when Henry VII. marries Elizabeth of York. So Wolf Hall is like some kind of sequel to me. Might help with the historical references, too.

I was only lukewarm about the book before, but I began to enjoy it during Part III. Cromwell's ability to gain the king's favor, while never truly abandoning the cardinal, was a fine balancing act. I think Mantel did a very good job of juggling the myriad of court characters and their agendas. I wonder if she is sometimes purposefully trying to be confusing, to make the uncertain times feel more immediate to the reader (who knows how it will turn out, obviously). I often feel like the book would have been easier to read with a few explanatory footnotes, but I guess that's what Wikipedia is for.

I was a bit shocked at More's decidedly misogynistic portrayal. Despite reading and watching A Man for All Seasons in college, I admittedly don't know much about More, so I have no idea how much is factual. I am surprised that someone who believed in educating his daughter (similar to Cromwell), would be so negative about all the other women in his life.

I agree about More. How awful was he to his wife and daughter at dinner! I'm intrigued and want to find out more about him. I've been looking at Holbein's portraits. Mantel certainly makes you think about the characters.

I like the depiction of Cromwell's household and how well he gets on with his family. He did say what's the point in having children if he were to treat them as his father treated him, I.e. poorly. Rafe, Richard and Gregory are wonderful; I enjoy their camaraderie. Actually I enjoy scenes from Cromwell's household as a relief from the heavier court scenes.

I'm intrigued as to how much is factual (as much as can possibly be known 400 odd years later) and how much is Mantel's imagination. (Was Cromwell abused by his father etc).

It's fascinating seeing him getting closer to the king. I get the impression he's in too deep to back down and change his mind. But I also feel he'll say anything to gain the king's favour and keep the peace.

Glynis wrote: "I'm intrigued as to how much is factual (as much as can possibly be known 400 odd years later) and how much is Mantel's imagination. (Was Cromwell abused by his father etc).
"

I have wondered this myself. Do we have evidence that his father was abusive? Not that it would have been unheard of in the time frame, of course (or today, for that matter).

I'd love to see Mantel's research for the book. I bet it was fascinating work! I trawled the many museums, libraries and records offices in London for primary sources for my degree work in the 90s. It would be amazing researching something like this.