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March's Book Club: "Wolf Hall"

 

March 22, 2010 at 9:00 pm Eastern Time

Grab a copy of Wolf Hall: A Novel (Man Booker Prize) , a glass or mug of your favorite beverage, and join us for the next Twitter Book Club discussion!

Questions? Post a comment below, ask on Twitter (@thebookmaven or @booksquare), or even use good old email: bethanne at thebookstudio dot com.

 

 

Archived discussion

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): we recommend tweetchat.com for those having trouble with other applications. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Begging indulgence from all my Twitter followers for next hour as I co-host Twitter Book Club/#tbc with @booksquare. Feel free to mute me!

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc have thoughts in excess of 140 characters? go here -- March's Book Club: "Wolf Hall" http://ow.ly/1pCgI

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): hello and welcome to twitter bookclub. @thebookmaven and i are so excited to be back. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Good evening, Twitter Book Club participants! Tonight we're discussing Hilary Mantel's WOLF HALL. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare Yes we are... :) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): (and my apologies for the extended hiatus. it was my crazy schedule that caused the delay) #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare Great to have you back from across the pond, too, K.! #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): RT @thebookmaven: Good evening, Twitter Book Club participants! Tonight were discussing Hilary Mantels WOLF HALL. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Anyone else out there? @Scarletandcream? #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): as i told @thebookmaven, after reading wolf hall, the drive down cromwell road in london took on a very different meaning! (thx, B) #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): I'm only about on page 50 or so of WOLF HALL. The writing style is, shall we say, eccentric #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Hi @hieronymus -- great to see you here. I know @booksquare has some questions to get us started... #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): starting with a softball question as everyone gets their wine: can we agree with was a great read? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare @hieronymus just said the writing style is "eccentric." I'm wondering if everyone found it a great read. I did -- but SLOW. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): I'm coming! Computer issues, tweeting from PDA momentarily. . . #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @hieronymus we'll be talking about that very thing. i know a few people were put off by the author's style. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Starting with overall impressions of Wolf Hall. First thing that struck me was, despite dark subject matter, Hilary Mantel's sly humor.

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): i found the reading sped up once i got into the author's rhythm. first few chapters took some mental energy. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare VERY sly humor -- and an oddly sly poignancy to many scenes, too (I'm thinking of Cromwell's family). #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Very in line with the way academic men wrote/talked at court, esp in referring to royalty & clergy. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @scarletncream i'm not familiar with the academic style. can you elaborate? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @scarletncream Love that point. @booksquare Looking forward to hearing more, but such a formal/stylized society those Tudors created... #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @thebookmaven Whew--just made it. I'll be lurking because I haven't finished it, though I know, historically, how it ends. Ick. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): "why are you such a...person? it isn't as if you could afford to be." lines like that made me smile. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Esp true of canonical writing of the time. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Does Mantel successfully merge fact with fiction?

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @ErikaRobuck Glad you're here! Don't worry, lurking is fine. Lurkers -- just let me know you're here, please? (Does that defeat point?) #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): It has a bit to do with the formality of Latin and French, the English were just really coming into their own academic style. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): Some reviews I've read say she makes Cromwell to be too sympathetic #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare The question of fact v. fiction -- it worked for me. I became convinced Cromwell's childhood was matter of record... #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven mentions cromwell's family. he had an interesting way of defining the term, didn't he? #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Thru the ages, English style more formal than others that followed - American, Irish, Scotish, Aussie, etc. #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @thebookmaven I'm here lurking! I've just started the book...am at the mental energy part @booksquare mentioned :-) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @hieronymus is that a bad thing? we've heard the other side of the story in many forms, not sure we've been this exposed to cromwell. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @hieronymus I believe that's one of our questions, too, but no reason not to discuss it now. Cromwell of WOLF HALL so fully drawn 1/2 #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @JennWebb Welcome Darling Lurker! Thanks for bobbing head up for a moment. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @scarletncream thank you (keep elaborating if the spirit moves you). this is not my area of expertise, so i'm learning. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare @hieronymus I thought interesting to see more complex version of Cromwell, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut.... #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @thebookmaven @booksquare Hi friends. I'm here, but read WH a month ago. Not my fave but I admired it for Mantel's wit & historicism. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @batpoet Welcome! So glad you are here. Please say more about why it wasn't your fave. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven mentions that she came to believe mantel's version of cromwell's childhood was fact. anyone engage in fact checking? #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): A sympathetic view of C, but perhaps bc both the Caths & Angls made STM a saint, that C never stood a chance in relative histories? #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @batpoet share! would love to hear your thoughts. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @JennWebb If you can wade through the beginning, her style/the plot/etc. hits you with force, and then gains tremendous momentum. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Sorry, by C I mean Cromwell, and STM St Thomas More. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc How did Wolf Hall impact your perception of Thomas Cromwell, Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, even Henry VIII?

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare I did discover that no one seems to be sure whether or not his father was English, or Anglo-German. #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @ErikaRobuck Oh, I never give up :-) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @scarletncream i was thinking of the contrast to "a man for all seasons". #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @ErikaRobuck @JennWebb I agree. You have to get through the "set up" if you will in order to get Mantel's vision. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): This isn't one of our questions, but if @booksquare will indulge me: Did anyone else think WOW, Hilary, you've disproved 1/2 #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @thebookmaven Here's my un-intellectual reply (apologies): It made me irritable about the slimy British politics of that era! #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): 2/2 the old wisdom of women writing about domesticity versus men writing about world stage/"big" issues #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): what about anne boleyn, specifically? has history served her well? #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): bit of a noob in this period, besides "pop lit", so it's coming pretty fresh to me #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): As a lawyer, was taught to revere STM but as I've learned more, I admire C's skepticism, interesting how he lived in STM's wake/death. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven awesome observation! though, in some ways, it was a very domestic novel (domestic=england). #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): so far I like Cromwell's pragmatism, even cynicism #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare In beginning frustrated by distance between reader & Anne/Henry...As TC gets closer, however, they're coming into focus. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc What did you think about Anne Boleyn seen through Cromwell's eyes?

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @hieronymus via pragmatism, is he being set up in opposition to thomas more? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @scarletncream Yes! The skepticism! Cromwell's arm's-length perspective in this novel is a great lens by which to view the court. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Strange the American obsession with the Tudors. Mine started in 7th grade with Twain's Prince & Pauper. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare Why thanks! And EXACTLY. I loved that Mantel uses domestic details to craft a big-picture book. Woman writer FTW! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): does the skepticism speak to @batpoet's comment on the sliminess of politics in the era (though we could argue that hasn't changed!). #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @thebookmaven Per Wiki, his father was descended from Catherine Cromwell, sister to Thos. Cromwell. Line of descent seems pretty clear. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @scarletncream Excellent point. Anyone else have thoughts about why Americans are obsessed w/the Tudors? #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @ErikaRobuck: I agree but realized that was prob true - he had to rise after Wolsey & STM fell. And he was just as bright as STM?#tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): We don't have royalty, so the Tudors are a good substitute. Non threatening even #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare Anne almost seems like a projection of Cromwell's own personality. Detached, calculating, strategic, pragmatic. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LisaHendrix I was talking about Thomas Cromwell's father, not Oliver...or am I misunderstanding you? BTW, welcome! :) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @LisaHendrix you are talking about oliver cromwell? just clarifying (old brain here!). #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @hieronymus HAHA, makes sense. Also: Tudors sort of a nation-making family, maybe reminds us of Founding Fathers? #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): The arm's length makes sense bc C could rarely trust anyone, but many accts said he was true to himself always. Perilous in HVIII's ct. #tbc

jasonashlock (Jason Allen Ashlock): If you've read WOLF HALL and want to talk about it, @thebookmaven for a Twitter Book Club RIGHT NOW #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck could we argue that both cromwell and anne are also pawns in the game? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @jasonashlock Thanks for the shout-out! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc More than a few have commented on Mantel's use of pronouns (in particular, he, him, his). How did you (or didn't you) overcome this?

InAbsinthia (InAbsinthia): Join us for a WOLF HALL Twitter Book club chat : http://tweetchat.com/room/tbc #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): RT @jasonashlock: If you've read WOLF HALL and want to talk about it, @thebookmaven and @booksquare for a Twitter Book Club RIGHT NOW #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @thebookmaven Oops. Yes, you're right. I was talking about Oliver. My bad. I wasn't paying close enough attention. Just ignore me lol #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LisaHendrix HA, won't ignore you -- come sit by me! No worries... #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @LisaHendrix never! we are glad you joined the conversation. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare Ooh, good point! Both imagine they have control. Both lose their heads. #tbc.

hieronymus (Jonathan): Join us for a WOLF HALL Twitter Book club chat : http://tweetchat.com/room/tbc #tbc (sorry, posted from wrong account)

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Best. Twittername. Ever. RT @InAbsinthia: Join us for a WOLF HALL Twitter Book club chat : http://tweetchat.com/room/tbc #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): I think skepticism rose from his childhood, the various worlds he inhabited (trade/reli/poli) yet w/o pedigree. + the Reformation Qs. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck hoped that was where you were going with your parallel. interesting thought. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @Suejustbooks Talk with us anyway! Twitter Book Club means never having to say "Sorry, I haven't read enough..." ;) #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): I imagine getting kicked around by your father would make you pretty skeptical! #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): In re: pronoun use, a LOT of re-reading. Even when I didn't have wine along for the trip. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): ha! RT @scarletncream: In re: pronoun use, a LOT of re-reading. Even when I didnt have wine along for the trip. #tbc

Suejustbooks (Sue Kowalski): @thebookmaven: I'm enjoying the conversation! #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @booksquare lol - at least they're not officially sending people to the Tower or burning them anymore. women's work? have a son! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): i tie the pronoun thing to mantel's rhythm. i reached a point where i was very clear about point of view. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): The pronoun use made re-reading necessary sometimes, and forced me to read sloooowly. It had to have been deliberate thought, right? #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @scarletncream I have noted it's difficult to enjoy a glass of wine and this book at the same time. @booksquare #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare Esp. when thinking back to story of Wyatt drawing lion away and Cromwell being compared to Wyatt. Henry = lion. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven i'd say mantel's stylistic choices were very deliberate. and effective (for me). #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc How did Cromwell's brutal childhood affect his character?

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): RT @ErikaRobuck: Esp. when thinking back to story of Wyatt drawing lion away and Cromwell being compared to Wyatt. Henry = lion. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @batpoet FINALLY watching The Tudors, and I also JUST recently read THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. The have-a-son thing never clearer. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @JennWebb i managed, and know you can too . #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @JennWebb HAHAHA. Night's best comment! #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): I've just been trying to go with the flow, pronoun-wise. figure it will all work out #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @scarletncream Pronouns gave me some trouble. Also, multiple names/titles for one character. Cast list at beginning helped. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): thinking of cromwell's childhood, felt like pieces missing (thomas cromwell: the lost years!). #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @booksquare What convinced you that the stylistic choices were deliberate? A certain scene/point in book? #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @JennWebb, thanks for not letting me be the only lush :-) I agree, very deliberate, yet effective. #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @booksquare Pronouns get tricky when several chs of 1 gender r in scene. S/times u just have to go w flow, trust readr to sort it out. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Anyone else pic these characters from the Showtime series? Well, other than HVIII as JRM is waaay too fit & hot. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare Perhaps she could write a prequel? Yes? #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven it was more the pacing, the careful setting of scene, the (later question) deliberate omissions. #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @booksquare @thebookmaven I read Bolt's play (&film) A Man for All Seasons, so Mantel's tweaking of Thomas More darker was fascinating #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @scarletncream Laughing...you're totally right about JRM as HVIII. BTW, way off-topic: Anyone else see him in Gormenghast? #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @booksquare I'm an overachiever––I will succeed! (without having to re-read everything ) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck ha! wait for last question . #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @ErikaRobuck Interesting...I know we'll be talking about sequel shortly... #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): I do wonder if C would have really articulated that family that way. He was unconventional, but well-aware of his lack of pedigree. #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @scarletncream I'm here to help. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): Favorite early quote: "Over the city lies the sweet, rotting odor of yesterday's unrecollected sins." #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): I have to say, this #tbc is FLYING by. WOLF HALL: So much book, so little time! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @batpoet but appropriate to the time. more wouldn't have survived if he'd been pure saint. everyone at that level was political. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Why "Wolf Hall" as a title?

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @scarletncream I can't get the cast of THE TUDORS out of my head in the reading of this. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): what about the mixture of tenses, often (but not always) using present tense (an underused tense in books)? #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @thebookmaven @booksquare I haven't finished either. Individual scenes arresting; overall tie-ins..difficult. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Re why title...the rapaciousness...but wonder what Mantel was thinking in stretching Seymour family home to encompass plot entire... #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @hieronymus you are anticipating questions . the use of tenses was interesting to me. again, deliberate. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @KFZuzulo Hey there! Glad you're "here." Good point versus arresting scenes v. overall plot. I agree, even though I love the book. #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @booksquare "Wolf Hall" = the Seymour estate, plus they are all wolves, even the women! #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): Someone's always nipping at your heels.... RT @booksquare: #tbc Why "Wolf Hall" as a title?

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven wondering if this has something to do with her overall vision for the story she's telling (sequel). #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @booksquare: but STM DIDN'T survive. That's why both Cath & Angs consider him a martyr, not just simply a saint. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): Hmmm, @hieronymus is pretty darn clever. :) #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @KFZuzulo Nice! Also: There's a "pack" that makes things happen... #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @scarletncream no, but lasted far longer than you'd expect (or, i would have expected). could be reading too much into it. i do that. #tbc

JeanBrown (JeanBrown): #tbc lurking loving conversation finding
Wolf Hall slow to read

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): #tbc I thought pulling in the Seymours thru title was perfect - the whole court scene thruout Europe was like a wolf den.

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @JeanBrown talk to us! tell us why. we are all curiosity, truly. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc For example, Cromwell's relationship with his sister-in-law. How does this impact the story? 2/2

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Thoughts on the use of the present tense? easy to read, hard to read?

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Despite the length of the book, it seemed Mantel left a lot off the page, revealing her story via asides and short introspection. 1/2

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven @kfzuzulo you two are too funny! #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Everyone out for themselves yet still running in packs as needed. Men in charge at least nominally, yet the women were key. #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @thebookmaven I like the book; find myself skipping around. Part of difficulty, Adobe Digital format..bought during Amazon debacle #tbc

justbooks (margie at justbooks): @Suejustbooks @thebookmaven: Sorry to miss #tbc. I've had some margaritas. I'm pretty impressed I can still spell. I heart Cromwell.

eap0323 (Lizanne Payne): Perhaps deliberate vagueness of pronouns evoked constant shifting allegiances, never clear who is who, who is on your side #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): RT @scarletncream Everyone out for themselves yet running in packs as needed. Men in charge at least nominally, yet women were key. #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @booksquare Wolf Hall is real name of the Seymour estate, plus it encapsulates the theme so well (esp as wolves were viewed at time) #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): RT @thebookmaven: True! I like the idea of conveying the "pack" mentality and the need to please the lead wolf...the King. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): From @KFZuzulo: "Part of difficulty, Adobe Digital format..bought during Amazon debacle" -- Good Digital Behavior Matters! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @eap0323 oh wow, i like that. didn't think of allegiances in relation to pronoun shifting. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): I love the use of present tense. really seems to drag you into the now of the story. hasn't felt fey at all (yet) #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @eap0323 Very, very nice observation re pronouns. Why didn't I think of that? #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): RT @eap0323: Perhaps deliberate vagueness of pronouns evoked constant shifting allegiances, never clear who is who, who is on your side #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LisaHendrix Elaborate, please on "esp. as wolves were viewed at the time" -- I'd like to know more! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @hieronymus present tense conveys urgency to me, and sometimes it helped move story faster, despite seemingly languid pace. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): STM prolly survived as long as he did bc H8 admired his can law smarts PLUS he stayed away from ct as much as poss. Even as chancellor. #tbc

Lisamol1 (Lisa Molinelli): @vahva There's a Twitter book club going on re Wolf Hall tonight! You can search the hashtag #tbc to see comments and qus.

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): From @bookybeck: the pronoun MISuse made me kick the damn book to the curb. Unreadability does not impress me. <-- Anyone else agree? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @bookybeck 'Sok, I RT'd. :) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc The book covers a very short period of very rich historical period. What elements of the time really stood out for you?

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @justbooks @Suejustbooks Don't you find several margaritas IMPROVE #tbc? Kidding! I kid. Nice to "see" you anyway. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): even this early, I disagree. It isn't misuse, as I'm sure she's doing it on purpose. Up to me as reader to figure it out #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): I think C struggled with how to make the queens happy - he knew K never liked Wolsey, yet he agreed with Anne's piety & reform agenda. #tbc

LauraKinsale (Laura Kinsale): i'm w/bookybeck, don't see sacrificing clarity for a vague impression #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @thebookmaven @booksquare Anyone talk about the women. #tbc Very well drawn, I thought. Kinda reminded me of Follett's women.

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): RE title "...title comes from the name of the Seymours' family seat Wolfhall...title's allusion...old Latin saying "Man is wolf to man" #tbc

eap0323 (Lizanne Payne): @thebookmaven #tbc Also I think the title is one long foreshadowing device: all the machinations to get Anne B on throne, then Jane Seymour

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): "serves as a constant reminder of the dangerously opportunistic nature of the world through which Cromwell navigates.[3]" (WIKI) #tbc

LauraKinsale (Laura Kinsale): tho I really liked the writing outside of the pronoun issue! #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): reminds me of HS English teacher. He said bad writing by good author is done on purpose. As teen I, not surprisingly, disagreed #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): Please pardon my use of WIKI. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): and yet now I've come 'round to his point of view (again). #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @KFZuzulo we have had mention of the women running the pack, in regard to the wolf analogy. there was a lot of female strength. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LauraKinsale Hey there! Now I'm thinking harder about pronoun issue. It may inspire a blog entry. #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @thebookmaven @booksquare ....might have been the prickly, tight fabrics women were swathed in... ugh. Good delivery of sensations. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): Compared to other Tudor fiction, this one fleshed out the Euro/papal issues. Wolsey's right-papacy independence creates some stability. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @LauraKinsale did you ever become comfortable with the pronoun issue? for me, it was a matter of trusting the author. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @ErikaRobuck HA, no worries. I knew Wolf Hall was Seymour estate but had forgotten that saying. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck (side note: get confused on "wiki", as that is the name of my evil cat ). #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @LauraKinsale i ask because i know you've taken some risks in your own work. #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @thebookmaven Wolves = terrifying, rapacious vermin 2b destroyed. Edw II had ordered their extermination. By Henry VII they were gone #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @KFZuzulo Laughing re fabrics. No wonder in films always running about in those wrinkly muslin nightshifts! #tbc

LauraKinsale (Laura Kinsale): i got used to it but always noticed it (pronouns), pulled me out of story, not in a thoughtful way but just confuzzled #tbc

eap0323 (Lizanne Payne): #tbc LOVED Wolf Hall even with the vague pronouns and the length and knowing how it ends. Loved the wit mostly -- dry and rich at same time

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @scarletncream oh very good point (have i mentioned i am weak in this era?) #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LisaHendrix THANK YOU. I'd no idea! ::Sheepish:: ::Sheepish not good thing to be around wolves...:: #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @eap0323 the humor was a huge plus for me. i loved her slyness. #tbc

LauraKinsale (Laura Kinsale): yes the characterization is wonderful, C's dry humor amid humorless crowd @eap0323 #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): so twisted pronouns are to be figured out. And I like @eap0323's take on it. should help while reading #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @KFZuzulo: yes, the description of the horsehair really enabled me to understand C's view of STM & views on 'superstition' much better. #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): haha! and always w/glowing backlighting RT @thebookmaven: No wonder in films always running about in those wrinkly muslin nightshifts! #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare RE Historically significant...Cromwell's account of woman burning very vivid. Sick that a child could see that. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @jswilliamssr Not I, sir; 'twas another Twitter Book Club lass... She was referring to Mantel's vague pronouns in WOLF HALL. #tbc

LauraKinsale (Laura Kinsale): humor as a power mode, that I got ;) just not the pronouns #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @LisaHendrix Interesting! RT @thebookmaven: Wolves = .... Edw II had ordered their extermination. By Henry VII they were gone #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck that was a very vivid scene. hurts thinking about it. i felt very close to reality there. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): I have to tell you all -- this has been one of our liveliest Twitter Book Club conversations. Thank you! NB: NOT done yet. :) #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @thebookmaven fyi, The wolf became extinct in England in 1486, Scotland in 1743, and Ireland in 1770. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare And Mantel snuck that in, made Cromwell sympathetic, again, just when I started to judge him. #tbc She's brilliant.

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @LisaHendrix you are a goddess. i had no idea. #tbc

karentempler (Karen Templer): Uh oh. It's #tbc night and I'm not even halfway through the book.

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): RT @scarletncream description of the horsehair really enabled me to understand C's view of STM & views on 'superstition' better. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @karentempler tsk, tsk! did you take time off from reading to...work? #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @karentempler With Twitter Book Club, you don't even have to have OPENED the book... #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): RT @LisaHendrix: @thebookmaven fyi, The wolf became extinct in England in 1486, Scotland in 1743, and Ireland in 1770. #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @KFZuzulo the descriptions of Katherine's heavy, jewel-laden dresses and heavy veils of other women are amazing @thebookmaven #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @thebookmaven just like my real world bookclub. @karen_palmer #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): #tbc Bonus: Mantel is apparently writing a sequel to Wolf Hall. Can you buy into her world a second time?

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @karentempler Especially because we all know how it ends so no spoilers! #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @thebookmaven Tankards of ale all around! #tbc @booksquare

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): would you recommend Wolf Hall to others? why? why not? (i am a recommending fool for this title). #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): I believe the Golden Book Token tonight goes to @lisahendrix for her fantastic contributions re history of Tudor England. Thank you!!! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck (i, er, told @karentempler to avoid the wikipedia) #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @ErikaRobuck Concept of "childhood" is v new. Children were just small people, not a special class. Needed to know consequences of sin. #tbc

batpoet (Louise Strecker): @booksquare Haha! Been there. RT @booksquare: @thebookmaven just like my real world bookclub. @karen_palmer #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): so, wow, super-fast hour. thank you all. i'm going to start the exciting housekeeping portion of our meeting. #tbc

KFZuzulo (Kellyann Zuzulo): @batpoet Yes! you could practically smell the sweat under the velvet. #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): Can't. Stay. Awake. Must. Sleep. 'Night all! #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): too early to tell vis-a-vis recommending, but I would think so, even just so far into it. Unique spin on fairly well known tale #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @JennWebb Nighty-night, Kettle Belle. ;) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): next month, 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst). we're reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @booksquare I'm embarrassed that even used it for a ref. #tbc

LisaHendrix (Lisa Hendrix): @thebookmaven Thanks, but I come by it naturally. Next book after wip is set in Elizabethan era: alchemists, etc. Starting research. #tbc

permanentpaper (Permanence Matters): @booksquare #tbc (late to the party) YES--I have rec'd WOLF HALL b/c it is such a great example of meld of lesser known voice of Tudor hist.

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): RT @booksquare: next month, 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst). were reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @booksquare: I live to serve. Seriously, more than 20 yrs! What about Anne's lack of pedigree? Did that shape C's view? 'Nt @JennWebb #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @ErikaRobuck don't be. totally fine by me. #tbc

permanentpaper (Permanence Matters): @booksquare #tbc YES--will buy any and all followups to WOLF HALL tuit suite.

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @LisaHendrix Will look forward to peeking at that one; cool! #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @LisaHendrix That's so interesting, and a view I hadn't considered. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): and we do want to thank the fab unbridled books for sponsoring the #tbc web presence! http://ow.ly/1pDCU

Suejustbooks (Sue Kowalski): @booksquare: Ooooh, I'm almost finished with ARC of UNFINISHED SCORE and will really enjoy that discussion. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): BTW @booksquare did you mention that the title of Mantel's sequel is THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT? #tbc

JennWebb (JennWebb): @scarletncream 'nt!! Thank you for your insightful comments tonight! #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @permanentpaper i love you! and will listen to you. glad you made it. #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): i did not. RT @thebookmaven: BTW @booksquare did you mention that the title of Mantels sequel is THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT? #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): @thebookmaven Ooh, I didn't realize that was published yet. Look forward to it. #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): I will now pour a port and get back to WOLF HALL. thx for the illuminating discussion! #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @LisaHendrix: C would be VERY skeptical :-) #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): thank you all for joining in, and keep talking. i'll keep the chat open while i'm cooking! see you next month. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @ErikaRobuck It's not; just know title. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): *gasp* RT @thebookmaven: BTW @booksquare did you mention that the title of Mantel's sequel is THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT? #tbc

permanentpaper (Permanence Matters): Twitter Book Club RT @thebookmaven: RT @booksquare: 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst). were reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell. #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @hieronymus Thanks SO much for joining. Port sounds excellent, too... #tbc

hieronymus (Jonathan): RT @booksquare: next month, 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst). were reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell. #tbc

ErikaRobuck (Erika Robuck): Great chat everyone! #tbc Apologies to followers on regular Twitter feed. I've got a small Tudor obsession.

Liza (Liza Daly): Recapping the WOLF HALL discussion on #tbc - thanks for hosting it @booksquare !

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): @Liza Great to "see" you...thanks for stopping by and reading recap. #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): @booksquare: Exciting pick! Not even at #chipublib yet! Thx for another great #tbc! Thx @unbridledbooks!

batpoet (Louise Strecker): Wonderful! Hope she joins us: RT @booksquare: next month, 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst) we're reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell #tbc

scarletncream (Alisa M Rosales): RT @booksquare: next month, 4/26 (9p est/6 p pst). we're reading "an unfinished score" by @eliseblackwell. #tbc

Liza (Liza Daly): I loved the juxtaposition of the "modernist" tense & tone with the historical setting. Felt urgent & visceral rather than costume drama #tbc

thebookmaven (Bethanne Patrick): RT @Liza: loved juxtaposition of "modernist" tense & tone with the historical setting. Felt urgent & visceral rather than costume drama #tbc

karentempler (Karen Templer): @booksquare I confess I do know the basic history, Wikipedia or no Wikipedia. Although I know essentially nothing of Cromwell #tbc

booksquare (Kassia Krozser): @liza the urgent aspect was huge for me, especially given the time frame of the story. #tbc

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Wolf Hall

I just read the mention of this book in my twitter. Could someone tell me what the book is about? Thank you Tina   or sunsetsummers on twitter

 

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