Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall (2009), is the first book in a trilogy about Thomas Cromwell. Critically acclaimed, this historical novel won the Booker Prize (2009), the National Book Critics Circle Award (2009), and the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction (2010). It was in the top ten of the New York Times Books of the Century and adapted into a BBC series. With this much hype, perhaps I was a bit nervous to read Wolf Hall in case I did not like it. Having just finished two long novels, I figured I had the stamina to get stuck into another big read and finally embark on this series.
Thomas Cromwell was born around 1485 in Putney. He fled a violent home as a young teen and took off to Europe, working his way across the continent, picking up language skills in French, Italian, Latin and Greek. He married Elizabeth Wyckes and had three children. By the 1520s Cromwell had established himself in legal circles as a brilliant mind and cunning advisor. In 1524 he became a trusted confidante of Lord Chancellor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and soon found himself in the court of Henry VIII where he rose through the ranks to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Privy Seal and Lord Great Chamberlain.
After a brief look at Cromwell's life in Putney, Mantel takes readers to where the action begins, in 1529. King Henry VIII, desperate for a son and heir, seeks to rid himself of his wife of twenty-four years, Catherine of Aragon. He has his eye on Anne Boleyn, sister of his mistress Mary. In order to pursue Anne, Henry sought papal permission to annul his marriage and needs Cromwell's help to make Anne Queen.
So who is Cromwell? In Mantel's telling, the Duke of Norfolk calls Cromwell 'you nobody from Hell, you whore-spawn, you cluster of evil, you lawyer' (p158). Cromwell is depicted as a street-smart schemer, a man who uses his intellect and wit to learn about everyone around him and influence the King. As Cromwell rises, he senses 'a great net spreading about him, a web of favours done and favours received' (p463). The King says 'I keep you, Master Cromwell, because you are as cunning as a bag of serpents' (p 501). Despite his characterisation as a man not to be crossed, he is also a family man and benefactor, supporting his expansive household of extended family and friends.
Mantel has clearly done her research and subtly adds historical references to give the story authenticity. She does not shy away from the brutality of life in the 1500s, the illness, executions and filth. I particularly enjoyed the description of Hans Holbein's efforts to paint Cromwell's portrait and his family's reaction to the completed work.
As someone already familiar with the events covered in the book, I was surprised that there were times that I was confused about what was happening. Perhaps it was because there were so many Thomases, Henrys and Marys, that it was hard to keep track. This distracted me from enjoying the first half of the novel, as did Mantel's writing style and her frequent use of the phrase 'He, Cromwell, ...'. The chapter lengths did not help as some would go on for over fifty pages. Shorter chapters, with headings, would have assisted my reading.
Once the story reached 1529, the pace quickened and it was easy to become absorbed. The backgrounding, the efforts to get Thomas More to swear an oath about the line of succession, Anne Boleyn's scheming, and the discarded Catherine's resilience. By the time the novel reached its conclusion, I did not want it to end.
My reading was enhanced by listening to the audiobook narrated by Ben Miles. As much of the story relies on sharp dialogue, Miles infuses the characters with verve and energy, bringing the tale to life.
I have downloaded the audiobooks of the next two books in the series for when I continue my Wolf Hall adventures. Despite my misgivings about the first half of this book, I finished eager to journey with Cromwell to Wolf Hall. Plus, I want to read the next book Bring Up the Bodies (2012) so I can watch the first season of the BBC series. Stay tuned!
