Okay--I'm a little late to the game. Some of my favorite bloggers read Wolf Hall two years ago. I finally started reading it last month and just finished.
It started out strong, and then I lost track of few characters and suddenly after about 100 pages it all started clicking and it was hard to put down (even harder to hold since it is a little over 500 pages). Rarely do I read historical fictions--I prefer the real thing. But, boy, did Hilary Mantel get it right. The fun part is she tricks you into forgetting that you do actually know how how it all ends.
The story focuses on Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII moving toward establishing the Church of England due to the king's desire to divorce his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, to marry the devious Anne Boleyn. Brutal climate, intrigue, and enough historical facts to make you believe you know what's going on. Glad I read it.
My only complaint is the length of the book--532 pages.
I loved it! One of the best books I've read in a long time. The world of Cromwell is so vivid, the writing is so crisp and clean, and the characterizations of people like Anne Boleyn and Moore is splendid. I have the second book in the trilogy and am looking forward to it soon.
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