Host An Unforgettable Book Club Party

Kai (Fiction State of Mind) and Michelle (The True Book Addict) are hosting the Wolf Hall Read-a-Long.

Click HERE to view the Week One discussion.

Click HERE to view the Week Two discussion.

I love reading historical fiction, especially English and particularly Tudor era. I purchased Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel well over a year ago and don’t really know why I hadn’t started it. Then, about two weeks ago, I received an invitation from Michelle at The True Book Addict to participate in a Wolf Hall read-a-long.  I knew it was time.   Even though I have read quite a few novels on Henry VIII’s monarchy from several different perspectives, never have I read one from Thomas Cromwell’s perspective.  I’ve finished reading Part One and I am hooked.

Setting the Stage

In Part One of Wolf Hall we are introduced to Thomas Cromwell and the beginnings of the struggles between Henry VIII and Papal authority in 1527 England.

Thomas Cromwell was, without doubt, shaped by his early experiences.  He escaped a brutal father and learned to survive by his own wits as a child on the docks of the Thames and later across the channel as a soldier.  Cromwell is an ambitious opportunist, and begins his rise in power, authority, and influence.  Cromwell senses changes coming to England and reads the outlawed writings of Martin Luther.

England’s ruling monarch, Henry VIII, is determined to have his eighteen year marriage to Katherine voided on the grounds that it was never a true marriage. King Henry has no male heir and, as rumors suggest, has his eyes set on another woman.

The affable Cardinal Wolsey is Lord Chancellor of England and is charged with the difficult task of getting Henry’s marriage to Katherine annulled through the Roman Catholic Church.  Cromwell is advisor to Cardinal Wolsey.

Let the fun begin!

The Players

Thomas Cromwell

Cardinal Wolsey

Henry VIII

Katherine

Join in on the fun!