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

Surprise. A Well-Known Story Gets Better

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

History and humanity and romance and a bit of the heroic make it for quite a complete recipe.

What did you like best about this story?

The hero's ability to be loyal and self-serving and idealist without becoming absurd is enthralling.

Which scene was your favorite?

Cromwell and More in the Tower, discussing the survival of the self and the agony of physical death, make you wish to have been there--well, far removed from the agonies of course, but into the discussion

Who was the most memorable character of Wolf Hall and why?

Thomas Cromwell of course is the acknowledged hero. Thomas More is rather memorable too, while the other characters do not begin to compare

Any additional comments?

The narrator was perfect. Usually I read history books, where the narrator is less important (although the wrong one can be a pain). Compared to the few novels I read, Mr. Slater is a star.

Hard to Follow

I get a bit confused who's speaking more times than not. Just when I feel like I'm catching on, it loses me again. I familiar with the time period which keeps me coming back, but it's just not a good book to listen to while driving.

more brilliant when enjoyed as the audiobook!

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

My favorite book of the last 5 years. Absolutely engrossing. I first experienced this book as an audiobook. I cannot give enough accolades to the narrator, Simon Slater for making Hillary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" even more enthralling & authentic by his performance as the narrator!

Thoroughly enjoyable!

This audio book succeeds on two fronts. The book is so wonderfully written that there were numerous times that I rewound the audio to hear a passage over again. Simon Slater's narration is superb. I wish there was another title narrated by him on Audible so I could listen to another performance.

Poetic account of Thomas Cromwell

It took me a few chapters to get used to the language of this book, but,once I did I was quickly drawn in to the story telling and the beautiful use of language from Hilary Mantel. Rich with details and emotion, this story, like Hamilton by Ron Chernow, chronicles the power of those who understand commerce and law. Educational and entertaining, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Terrific Read & Great Research - All in one!

What did you love best about Wolf Hall?

Like most great works of historical fiction, this book has left me with a better understanding of the era than all the dozens of historical books of this period than I've ever read. I love the character of Cromwell and his dry sense of humor and observation are priceless.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolf Hall?

Too many memorable moments to count. Cromwell's reflection, however, of his struggle to answer Liz's father on what changed him from the tough Putney lad he used to be (the frescos and paintings of Italy) strike home. "It taught me a different way of being." Mantel's expertise has me rooting for this underdog of history even though I know the end of the story.

Any additional comments?

I can listen to Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies endlessly and always find something new in the telling. I hope Simon Slater narrates the next installment of Hilary Mantel's Cromwell Trilogy.

Enthralling

This is a much better book than most historical novels. It seems to be fully researched and has finely drawn psychological portraits of many historical characters which casts them in a new more nuanced light.

Simply brilliant

Hillary Mantel is just the kind of writer who can take us inside the mind of one of those individuals who make the wheels of history turn. Her skills as a fantasist combine with her firm grasp of realpolitik and of the vagaries of human existence to spin a tale that feels thrilling even though we all know how it ends.

Great book & narration, less great editing

The editing on this wasn't great and that was distracting, but the narration made it easier to keep track of a complex group of characters. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Everything I didn't know about the Boleyn story

There's been a great deal in recent media about Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn, and I thought I'd heard and read enough to last me a lifetime. But I heard Hilary Mantel interviewed on Fresh Air and she sounded so intelligent and spoke in such an interesting way about the women in her books, that I thought I'd given them a try. Lucky me! I learned more than I could have imagined about the people who played their large and tragic parts in the drama of Henry and Ann. But this is a book about Thomas Cromwell in particular--only a name to me until now. Fascinating and wonderful read/listen! You won't be disappointed.