Possible discussion of Wolf Hall?

14 years ago

Hi all

So Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel won the Booker.

And several people on here have read it.

So, does anyone fancy a discussion? We haven't had one for a while. If so, I'm happy to lead it. I'd suggest that we make a date to start in 3/4 weeks time, to give people time to read (or re-read) it.

How about November 1st?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (18)

J C
14 years ago
A discussion would be great - but Wolf Hall won't be released in the U.S. until next week, on the 13th. It's not unobtainable by any means but maybe not as readily available as we would like. I want to read it very much, but I have to wait to get a library copy.

On the other hand, I am only one person and this is an international group, many of whom have no problems getting the book.

But I think it is a great book for discussion and have been looking forward to reading it for some time now.
carolyn_ky
14 years ago
I am on the wait list at my library, too. Are you pleased, Martin?
Related Discussions
cat_mom's finished kitchen (double posted from discussions)
Q
Comments (23)
Thank you so much nannymac! We did use a KD to design the kitchen (layout, cab/drawer locations, island/tabletop leg design), and he worked very closely with us to incorporate our "vision" for the space, which we (DH and I and our KD) tweaked along the way as needed or desired. The details were all chosen by us; e.g. the appliances, fixtures, granite, backsplash, cab hardware (even the cherry wood switchplates, which we ordered and then gave him to have the cab manuf stain to match the cabs). Those items (among others) we researched/found on our own. The bathrooms were "all us!" LOL. Of course, we were (and still are) extremely fortunate to have a great tile guy, and tile place(s), and plumber, to help and advise us when necessary, since we were our own GC's for the bathrooms (as well as the kitchen). Our bath/kitchen/hardware showroom salesperson was invaluable (literally) in helping us pick and choose fixtures, for function, price, quality, and style. He knew the look we were trying to create (and the price ranges of the different lines, and our budgetary constraints), and we bounced a lot of ideas off each other.
...See More
Discussion - Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
Q
Comments (51)
Frieda, thanks for clarifying the bit about Cranmer. I don't know whether the son/daughter thing is 'true' or a Mantel fiction. Certainly Cranmer had been married as a young man, but probably at the time he was only in 'Minor Orders' making it little more than a slap-on-the-wrist-offence. That wife died in childbirth. Quite a few interesting interviews with Mantel on 'youtube' which shed some light on these discussions. Here is a link that might be useful: Hilary Mantel
...See More
Broader discussion re: closets Vs. non-fixed storage solutions.
Q
Comments (22)
I like a mix I saw a walk-in closet first time in my life when I first came to the States. I thought it's kinda neat)) When my late Grandma did her first and last remodel, in the eighties, she "borrowed" space between two rooms (we had three altogether, and it didn't go by bedrooms like here)-and that's how we had two big, not walk in but still quite big closets. That was neat too. It was a nicely sized apartment but we were six people there. Everything was very organized..had to be. But we had lots of free standing pieces..say my and my brother's clothes all except for coats went in a small wardrobe, and the wardrobe wasn't in our room, but in a different, bigger room, where Grandma and Grandpa slept. Books, we had in every room. We have a lots of books now too-but to be honest, it's but a small percentage of what we used to have when I was a little girl. One can't compare. In short, I still find the concept of built in closet pretty neat)) But I love free standing pieces too, a lot. I think the right mix gives one function, form, flexibility and beauty. So I go by that. Except for the garage..that's my DH's kingdom..and he abhores the thought of ruling there too..:) but doesn't want anybody's help as much as I beg. He thinks closets help, shelves help, this or that surface will help..no, nothing will help..I will help if you let me:) The concept is important, but it can't be fully functionable and enjoyable without people handling it, you know.
...See More
BlueStar vs. Wolf Vent Hood
Q
Comments (21)
It is worth pointing out, I think, that the pressure differential across the blower, called pressure loss, is essentially the same whether the blower is in the hood, at the end of the duct outside, or in a door blowing into an otherwise sealed house. The pressure loss is the sum of all the losses due to friction and turbulence in the duct, duct cap where present, hood transitions, baffles, make-up air system restrictions, etc. Any slight differences in pressure loss with blower position will be due to local transitions where the blower is mounted versus the blower's air flow uniformity at the blower exit. The resulting flow rate will be that which applies to that pressure loss on the fan curve plot. Front of hood deposited grease is due to insufficient overlap and/or insufficient air velocity at the hood aperture. Hoods are generally poor at drawing air from the vicinity of the burners. Most plume capture depends on the plume's upward velocity, mainly driven by the buoyancy of hot grease and water vapor and air. The plume naturally expands as it rises, hence hood aperture overlap is desirable.
...See More
frances_md
14 years ago
I have it on pre-order and will likely receive it on the 13th. It will take some time to read, however. Martin, would this book have been your choice?
martin_z
Original Author
14 years ago
Am I pleased?

Well, as I said in the Booker thread, it's the first time for several years that I've read and enjoyed five books out of six. So at least The Quickening Maze didn't win - that's the only one that would have actually disappointed me. So I'm not displeased - it's a worthy winner.

Would it have been my choice?

Well, it wasn't my favourite. My actual favourites were Byatt and Mawer. But there wasn't a lot in it.

But overall, I'm happy with the choice. And I'll be re-reading it. (Though it's a HUGE tome - I might just get it on ebook if I can - and if it's not too expensive.)
veer
14 years ago
Well, fancy me enjoying and understanding a Booker winner.
I'd be happy to join in a discussion, although it will have to be from memory as my copy was from the library.
To those of you who haven't read it, although there are lots of pages it doesn't seem a 'long' read, just one that can be taken at a 'measured pace'.
Kath
14 years ago
I'm up for it - about to start 3 weeks hols so should be able to fit in a re-read or at least a good scan :-)
friedag
14 years ago
I'm looking forward to reading Wolf Hall with great anticipation. Maybe too much so -- it's an easy way for me to jinx a book: unfulfilled expectations and all. I don't know when I can get my hands on it, but I'll catch up with the rest of you eventually.
ccrdmrbks
14 years ago
I know the fact that it won the Booker should guarantee that the library buys multiple copies, but we still don't have a state budget (couldn't you just smack them!) so the library is purchasing NO new books. If the impasse isn't cleared and funds flowing again soon, I might have to cave and buy this one. Either way, I'd be up for a discussion in a bit-we can't get it here until the 13th, as Siobhan or somebody upstairs said.
stoneangel
14 years ago
I would be interested. Luckily for me, it was released in Canada at the end of September. I haven't started reading it yet, and I can be a bit of a slow reader depending on the book, but I'd join in once finished.
hemlady
14 years ago
I bought it a bookdepository and it was on sale for 1/2 price. Also - no shipping fee. I find it hard to wait for a book I really want to read.
frances_md
14 years ago
My pre-ordered copy of Wolf Hall arrived from Amazon this afternoon (along with Michael Connelly's new book). I should be ready to start on Wolf Hall in a couple of days.
junek-2009
14 years ago
I shall call into my municipal library to-morrow, Thursday to see if it it available. I would love to be involved in a discussion.
martin_z
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, I've actually spent money on an ebook copy for my Sony Reader, and I'm about half-way through a re-read. The book is a brick, and I was concerned for my wrists.

Also, now it's won the Booker, my first edition is worth rather more money, so I'd rather not read that particular copy again!

It looks like we'll have a goodly collection for the first - I'll start to think about a few questions to get us started.
ccrdmrbks
14 years ago
Okay-library now has it, I ordered it-probably won't be ready quite by the 1st, but go on ahead and I'll catch up-don't know that I need to worry about spoilers. ;-)
leel
14 years ago
I finished it. Nyah nyah nyah!
lydia_katznflowers
14 years ago
I read Wolf Hall several weeks ago. I had it sent to me from the U.K. I am ready to join the discussion any time.
martin_z
Original Author
14 years ago
So Sunday November 1st it is. I'll start a new thread on that date.
martin_z
Original Author
14 years ago
Or thereabouts....

I was unfortunately very busy yesterday and it didn't happen.

I'm just posting this mea culpa from work - I'll get it done tonight!

Possible discussion of Wolf Hall?

Comments (18)

J C

carolyn_ky

Related Discussions

frances_md

martin_z
Original Author

veer

Kath

friedag

ccrdmrbks

stoneangel

hemlady

frances_md

junek-2009

martin_z
Original Author

ccrdmrbks

leel

lydia_katznflowers

martin_z
Original Author

martin_z
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Possible discussion of Wolf Hall?

Comments (18)

Related Discussions

martin_zOriginal Author

martin_zOriginal Author

martin_zOriginal Author

martin_zOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

martin_z
Original Author

martin_z
Original Author

martin_z
Original Author

martin_z
Original Author