Wolf Hall

I read this over the course of a few days while laid up in bed. Not the easiest of reads and I often found myself a long way out of my own comfort zone. I particularly found the dialogue difficult to follow in places as the writer often refer to Cromwell as "he". However, this was not exclusive and "he" was often used for other people during the same conversation, it's really was most confusing. I also found it difficult to keep note of the characters as they would sometimes be referred to by name but at others simply by their title. Big decisions to make as this is the first of a trilogy. Is life perhaps too short?

Took me 6 months to read it and nearly gave up, but glad I didn't. Got quite confusing as Mantel switched perspectives and it didn't help that they were all called 'Thomas'.

I loved this book but it is not a quick read. The author's jumping from first person to third person took a bit of understanding before I caught on! I have long had an interest in Henry VIII and most titles are written from Henry's perspective, so I had a rather negative view of Thomas Cromwell. However, this novel has given me an entirely new perspective. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

compelling and moving account of intrigue and politics in court of Henry 8th. Lots of people have complained about Mantel's use of 3rd person but I liked it. It makes the point of view absolutely secure so we only have Cromwell's view of events. Knowing what happens to him later makes the book poignant. Can't wait for the sequel.

I, too, had to keep going back to earlier parts of the book, but found it to be a fantastic read and amazingly well researched.

I'm reading this book at the moment, and whilst it is entertaining, I find myself having to keep going back and reading things again, as the author has an annoying habit of referring to Thomas Cromwell as 'he', but she does so even when she has just mentioned another male character directly beforehand, sometimes even in the same sentence! This makes it very confusing at times to know who is thinking or saying what and is definitely spoiling my enjoyment of what would otherwise be an easy read.

A little hard to get into at first but once you're there its a fantastic read.