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Wolf Hall

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Wolf Hall

By: Hilary Mantel
Narrated by: Simon Slater
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About this listen

Winner of the Man Booker Prize.

Shortlisted for the Golden Man Booker Prize.

England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need, comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk, and later his successor.

Cromwell is a wholly original man: the son of a brutal blacksmith, a political genius, a briber, a charmer, a bully, a man with a delicate and deadly expertise in manipulating people and events. Ruthless in pursuit of his own interests, he is as ambitious in his wider politics as he is for himself. His reforming agenda is carried out in the grip of a self-interested parliament and a king who fluctuates between romantic passions and murderous rages.

From one of our finest living writers, Wolf Hall is that very rare thing: a truly great English novel, one that explores the intersection of individual psychology and wider politics. With a vast array of characters, and richly overflowing with incident, it peels back history to show us Tudor England as a half-made society, moulding itself with great passion, suffering and courage.

©2009 Hilary Mantell (P)2009 WF Howes Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Royalty Funny Witty Scary England

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Critic reviews

"If the dance between king and mistress is expertly choreographed, it is Mantel's presentation of the common realm - the seething streets of Putney and Wimbledon, populated by drapers and boatmen - that gives this novel the force of revelation." ( The Guardian)

"...as soon as I opened the book I was gripped. I read it almost non-stop. When I did have to put it down, I was full of regret the story was over, a regret I still feel. This is a wonderful and intelligently imagined retelling of a familiar tale from an unfamiliar angle - one that makes the drama unfolding nearly five centuries ago look new again, and shocking again, too. " ( The Times)

"The reader, Simon Slater, skilfully adopts contrasting voices and the narrative has an immediacy close to a dramatisation... Provocative, rewarding listening." (The Times)
All stars
Most relevant  
I found the narration irritating and the story tedious - I could not finish it. Sorry, I would not have given it a prize.

Disappointing

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The story is huge. It is complex and fascinating as so much is in Cromwell's head.
Very different approach to this fascinating time in history with the great difficulty of the break from Rome. You feel Britain could do with a Cromwellian mind to negotiate Brexit. I broke to listen to Stephen Fry with Sherlock Holmes as an easy distraction then returned refreshed to enjoy the intense detail.

Thomas Cromwell brought to life.

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A brilliant story- beautifully read. I think this is the best book I have bought from Audible. I am about to start on Book 2 of the series with enormous anticipation. Well done!

Wolf Hall

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Can't praise this audiobook highly enough - both it and the sequel are a wonderful listen, by turns gripping, sad and thought-provoking. I enjoyed the books and the TV series but can honestly say that the audiobook is for me the most successful version - you get all the detail of the book with the fantastic characterisation of the narrator. It's so well read that you feel Cromwell is in the room with you as you see the terrible upheavals of the period unfold before your eyes (ears?). A fantastic listen.

Absolutely superb!

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I had read part of this book already but thought audible would help me get over a hump a quarter of the way through. Not so, unfortunately. Simon Slater was doing a great job. But sadly, as soon as Cardinal Wolsey started talking, I had to turn it off. The voice just decimated a character that should exude intelligence, wit and charisma. I've gone back to reading the book!

Wonderful book - but better to read yourself

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Though I found the subject interesting I was easily lost within the second chapter. I did put that down to not knowing the history very well but I can see other people struggled with newly introduced characters with no names and the he/she/they's. This had a negative impact on how I felt about this book. I listened to the last few chapters at 1.35 speed. One day i will go back to it.

Hard work

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The work, time and skill it must of taken to write this book is breath taking. I found myself in awe of Hilary Mantel's creative abilities. I am now enjoying Bring Up The Bodies, the follow on book.
The narration was perfect for this book's time setting. Loved it.

Masterpiece

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Simon Slater has really captured Thomas Cromwell's tone (as I imagine it after both reading and watching Wolf Hall). I am really enjoying this, and the price was so good that I'm glad I went for it and not the more expensive version. :))

Love Simon Slater's voices for each character.

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This is the best narrator I've ever listened to. amazing book a mind I am sorry to say farewell to Thomas Cromwell.

Best narrator

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What a portrait of Cromwell - at once astute, gentle, rigourous, loving and witty. An astounding man living in incredible times our would seem.

Excellent

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