For April, it's Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
During our always fascinating monthly discussion of what to read for next month (in terms of books mentioned as well as group dynamics), we first mentioned Mantel's Man Booker 2012 winner Bring up the Bodies. Then we thought we should do SOME things in life in order. Bring up the Bodies is her second book in a series. So we decided to read her first one first.
I hear you. Yes, we are a brilliant gaggle, aren't we?
Mantel's first book in this series, Wolf Hall, also won the Man Booker Prize... in 2009.
Man.
Onto the plot of Wolf Hall. It starts in 1500. Then jumps right into 1526. Tudor England. Henry VIII is married to Catherine of Aragon.
I would say SPOILER ALERT, SPOILER ALERT, SPOILER ALERT,
But really....
Seriously?
Henry VIII wants to annul his sonless marriage to Catherine, and then marry Anne Boleyn. He has lots of people helping him figure out how to do this. And many trying to persuade him not to. I bet the book has more in it than that.
Wolf Hall was called Wulfhall back in 1520's, just FYI.
Wolf Hall was called Wulfhall back in 1520's, just FYI.
Another just FYI: Wolf Hall was the Seymour family castle. Even though it is the title of this book, it is not the location of the action. Need to wait for wife number 3, Jane Seymour when some of the action moves to Wolf Hall. Why did I bring this up? My 12th great-grandfather was Edward Seymour (brother to Jane Seymour.) Yes, here I am. Kiss my ring.
I am reminded though, that, "The higher you fly, the farther you fall." Due to political scuffles, that same Edward was beheaded at the Tower of London. Also, his relative an affair with their own daughter-in-law, that marriage was annulled and the kids were declared bastards. Family scandal BIG TIME. Three generations later Wolf Hall is in the hands of the political rivals and the Seymours move to Connecticut.
Oh well.
According to some Man Booker Prize info, the book's title has double meaning. As well as being the Seymour family home, it also alludes to the old Latin saying "Man is wolf to man", which serves as a constant reminder of the dangerously opportunistic nature of the world through which Cromwell navigates.
I am reminded though, that, "The higher you fly, the farther you fall." Due to political scuffles, that same Edward was beheaded at the Tower of London. Also, his relative an affair with their own daughter-in-law, that marriage was annulled and the kids were declared bastards. Family scandal BIG TIME. Three generations later Wolf Hall is in the hands of the political rivals and the Seymours move to Connecticut.
Oh well.
According to some Man Booker Prize info, the book's title has double meaning. As well as being the Seymour family home, it also alludes to the old Latin saying "Man is wolf to man", which serves as a constant reminder of the dangerously opportunistic nature of the world through which Cromwell navigates.
Cromwell?
WHO'S CROMWELL?
We are just going to have to read the book....
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