Well friends, can you think of a single better book for me to pick in a month where I ended up getting Covid and had no attention span or ability to focus? (Yes...this is ALL the sarcasm.) That being said, when I was able to get into it, I really found myself drawn into the novel - dense history and all. (What can I say - I'm a slut for a good ole medieval insult.) I found Mantel's narrative and form to be compelling and quickly became invested in Cromwell and his activities, despite not usually being a fan of historical fiction. Especially dense historical fiction. Especially dense historical fiction about a time period I know relatively little about. What was your experience with Wolf Hall? I hope you'll share your thoughts below!
Here's what I envision with these posts. I've come up with a few questions that I would love your thoughts on, but I also want to open up the comments for any questions or thoughts you have. I do reserve the right to remove any comments that are offensive or hateful, because my goal is to foster a community of readers here, where folks are encouraged to share their thoughts and literary experiences.
So, without further ado, here are my questions and curiosities:
What presumptions does this book make about the reader's knowledge of English/British history? For readers who did not come into this book with that knowledge, how does that effect your reading? (Also, don't be shy - I am not much of a historical scholar so A LOT of this book probably went right over my head.)
Is this novel accessible for folks who aren't well-versed in this time period?
How does this book explore matters of gender and race? Does it do so effectively?
What is your experience with long books (books that I personally conceptualize as 500 pages or longer)? Does the space this format offers for world building and character development mean that the book is richer and more complete? Or is the (sometimes) daunting nature of a book that long a detriment? What are your favorite long reads? Least favorite?
What do the various plays/theatrical performances symbolize throughout the novel?
Is Cromwell a hero? Or is he an antihero? How is he depicted in the novel? What about in history?
How is nobility depicted in this book, or other forms of claim to title and power? How does Cromwell navigate a system purportedly built on status and title when he himself is of dubious background? (A dubiousness he plays with by being less-than-forthcoming about that which he does know of his background.)
Will you read the next books in the trilogy?
Will you watch the TV show?
Resources to Consider:
https://teachersinstitute.yale.edu/curriculum/units/1981/cthistory/81.ch.10.x.html (An article about the role of historical fiction in education)
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/books/review-wolf-hall-hilary-mantel.html (NYT Review of Wolf Hall)
Comments