Any Hilary Mantel fans?

[Laura Corin]

I'm about to start re-reading the first two books in the Wolf Hall trilogy in preparation for receiving the third for my birthday in March.

[Lady Florida.]

I reread the first one and want to reread Bring Up the Bodies before the new one comes out. I guess I'd better start soon.

[Laura Corin]

16 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said:

I reread the first one and want to reread Bring Up the Bodies before the new one comes out. I guess I'd better start soon.

According to an article I read today, the last book is as long as the other two put together. What a treat!

[Acadie]

I'm working on a novel and just picked up Wolf Hall as an example of historical fiction. Can't wait to dive in! 

As a writer I enjoyed this interview, especially where she talks about historical vs. fictional time, and her process of composition.

https://tinhouse.com/the-creative-process-hilary-mantel/

"There’s historical time—the fixed chronology—and then there’s novel time—the way the chronology is handled. I try to find the structure of my book through writing individual scenes—I don’t write from A to B, from March to April—I can move anywhere in the narrative. In the initial stage of writing any book, my thinking is non-linear. But at a later stage, it all has to be skewered down. Again I will be thinking of the individual scene—how it is structured—then how it fits into the whole. I think if control is too tight in the early stages of a book, you can miss its potential."

Amy

[Miss Tick]

It is on my "to be read" pile -although write a ways down. Glad to hear such glowing reviews.

[medawyn]

A Place of Greater Safety is one of my favorite novels.   Bring Up the Bodies was not my favorite - it seemed like a way station between Wolf Hall and the end of the trilogy - but I will gladly reread both in anticipation of the final installment.

[Laura Corin]

Anyone reading the old or the new? I've almost finished re-reading Wolf Hall.

[Laura Corin]

Just now, Æthelthryth the Texan said:

Just a couple of more days! It should be on my doorstep Tuesday! Wolf Hall is probably my favorite book of all time. I predict I cry during this novel, as her depiction of Cromwell has made him one of my most beloved book characters ever- saying good-bye is going to be horrible. I am nervous of if it holds up though it's been so long in coming- I just hope she doesn't pull a Thomas Harris on the ending. 

It's had good reviews. Fingers crossed

[madteaparty]

I’m going to my local bookstore to preorder it (trying to wean self from amazon). Can’t wait. I’ve been audiobooking more than actually reading these days unless it’s kids school stuff but I don’t think her books lend themselves to that 😉 

Edited March 8, 2020 by madteaparty

[madteaparty]

2 hours ago, Æthelthryth the Texan said:

FWIW, I have enjoyed the audiobooks after having read them the stories the first time. I bounce between reading myself and Audible for my rereads, as I’ve read WH and BUtB a jillion times at this point so I own them on Kindle, as Physical books and Audible. All my Cromwell biograpies I’ve done on Audible though. 

I’m a bit leery bc I listened to her short story collection and it was just a miss. It felt very much like “let’s see what printed words she has around and make a book out of them”. The books were so different 

[Lady Florida.]

16 hours ago, Laura Corin said:

Anyone reading the old or the new? I've almost finished re-reading Wolf Hall.

I re-listened to Wolf Hall and planned to listen to Bring Up the Bodies again. However, I own Mantel's books, and two audio books I had on hold at the library came in within a day of each other. Library books always move to the front of the line because they'll disappear from my phone when the loan period ends. 

Edited March 8, 2020 by Lady Florida.

[Lady Florida.]

12 minutes ago, Æthelthryth the Texan said:

I haven’t cared for any of her other works outside of this series. 

I haven't tried anything else of hers but have loved this series. From what I keep hearing I would likely be disappointed if I read any of her other works hoping for the same level of quality as the Cromwell novels.

[Acadie]

4 minutes ago, StellaM said:

The first book I read in one mammoth sitting - I'd taken dd2 and a friend to an all day dance thing at a local uni, and so I just found a comfy place to sit and read for the entire day.

 

Wow, that's impressive--I'm really enjoying Wolf Hall but it's dense, and I can't imagine reading it in one sitting!

[Chrysalis Academy]

I'm super excited about the conclusion to the trilogy. I love Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies and have read them a couple of times. I am going to read the stage adaptations as a refresher while waiting for The Mirror and the Light.