Wolf Hall

By: Hilary Mantel

Narrated by: Simon Slater

Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In the ruthless arena of King Henry VIII's court, only one man dares to gamble his life to win the king's favor and ascend to the heights of political powerEngland in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years, and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. The quest for the king's freedom destroys his adviser, the brilliant Cardinal Wolsey, and leaves a power vacuum. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell is a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people and a demon of energy: he is also a consummate politician, hardened by his personal losses, implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph? In inimitable style, Hilary Mantel presents a picture of a half-made society on the cusp of change, where individuals fight or embrace their fate with passion and courage.

With a vast array of characters, overflowing with incident, the novel re-creates an era when the personal and political are separated by a hairbreadth, where success brings unlimited power but a single failure means death.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Hilary Mantel (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

I want to stop everything and just listen to this

I've read (really "read" not "listened to") Wolf Hall twice -- first when it was released and again when Bring Up The Bodies was released so that it would be fresh when I read the sequel. I know that this is some of the most magnificent writing currently being produced and I already know I love the book.

But oh boy, listening to it being ready by Simon Slater is SUCH a treat! It's not like he's "putting on" voices or characters, or "acting". It's like he's channeling these words in the voice that Mantel heard in her head when she was writing. His Wolsey is so perfect. He gets all the inflections right without (so far) a stumble of any kind.

I'm very very impressed with this reader and I'm so glad this is such a long book, because the only other books he has read are "... for dummies" guides and I just feel his great talent must be wasted on those.

Listening to this book is like having a magnificent dinner and watching your favorite movie at the same time.

creates the world of Henry VIII in new light

narrator ir outstanding; viewpoint re-makes Cromwell into a pragmatist instead of the self-righteous man often seen in other portraits.

Incredible book, incredible narration

This story is totally absorbing and skillfully written. I will look for other books written by this author.
The narration is extraordinary-I will also look for more if his books. Amazing how he can keep the characters separate and every breath counts.

Familiar but different

Would you consider the audio edition of Wolf Hall to be better than the print version?

An interesting twist on a familiar tale. By changing the characters placement in this tale of familiar intrigue it allows a view of the whole that is refreshing. Cromwell as an intelligent, almost thoughtful man gives a new perspective.

Maybe a great book, hard to follow the narrative

What did you love best about Wolf Hall?

I always love to read about the intrigue of the British monarchy but this is too hard to follow.

Would you recommend Wolf Hall to your friends? Why or why not?

My husband is reading this book on his IPad and I am listening to it on my IPad. We both find it hard to follow because the different characters are not easily identified when they are speaking - more the style of writing than the fault of the reader.

Have you listened to any of Simon Slater’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Perfection!

If you could sum up Wolf Hall in three words, what would they be?

Extraordinary, compelling, brilliant

What did you like best about this story?

An amazing look at the true nature of a famous epic period of English history..what Cromwell was actually like and the absurdity of religious wars.

Which scene was your favorite?

Cromwell's depth in dealing with tragedy.

If you could rename Wolf Hall, what would you call it?

Surviving a Life of Hell!

Any additional comments?

This novel is so well written and gave me an insight about Tudor history that was so rich and original. The narration is Oscar worthy!

Every Minute Was A Pleasure

*Outstanding* narration, some of the very very best I've heard. As for the story, most of us have heard of Cromwell and Wolsey, but usually in a negative light. They're ruthless natures are still in view here, but the author has done a marvelous job of humanizing them. I was so sorry when this novel ended!

Read.... and then listen

This book was good, and hilarious on audio. The narrator has a smooth voice. The narrator can make or break an audiobook. The content was well written. As for the audio, some voices are unconvincing. Thomas More sounds a little like a evil villian, slow,deep and smooth. His rendition of Wolsey is just laughable and cannot be taken serious. Anne Boleyn seems a little too...I guess "mild" would be the word I am looking for. But the writing can be ambigious in the book, and confusing. The audiobook clears up much of that, with the voices distinction. I would suggest maybe checking the book out at a library and reading it, then listening to it on audio.

History fictionalized at its best

So enjoyable i have relistened several times. Anticipating tv version soon to be shown. Not sure why titled wolf hall as that is in next book. Hope there are more to come in this series.

Fine book!

The first book of the trilogy was enthralling, carefully executed with wit and charm, and a brim full of cleverness.