Wolf Hall

 I have finally finished this book. It has taken me three weeks, which may not sound like a long time, but for someone who finishes books in a few days at most, this one was a comittment for me. In fact, I took a short break once I reached 100 pages to read another, lighter book, then came back to finish the next 400+ pages of this one. Boy am I glad I did. And while I am utterly sick of looking at this book -- I also have a strange sense of loss (mixed with accomplishment) since I have spent so much time holding this book in my hands and lugging it around with me. I feel as though I have completed and passed my AP History course. 

This is one of my favorite passages from the book as it explains the whole,

"The fate of people is made like this, two men in small rooms. Forget the coronations, the conclaves of cardinals, the pomp and processions. This is how the world changes: a counter pushed across a table, a pen stroke that alters the force of a phrase, a woman's sigh as passes and leaves on the air a trail of orange flower or rose water; her hand pulling close the bed curtain, the discreet sigh of flesh against flesh." (from page 499).

One thing that many people are saying is how much this book compels you to do research. Not boring-homework-research, but the type that you get lost in looking through resources (like Wikipedia) because you want to know more not because you have to. Because of this book I am now immersed in "The Tudors" (from Showtime) and from that, along with Wolf Hall, I am now feeling quite different about these infamous real-life characters than I did previously. After seeing several sides of these people (the book and the tv series often portray quite opposite views of most of the characters) I am reminded that these were legitimate people and that all of us have more than one side to our outward character. It's curious how when it comes to history we try to make heads or tales of people just because we know the way their stories ended. In reality, they were only mortals who were not necessarily villains nor saints rather just people -- trying to make it through life to the best of their abilities with the knowledge they possessed. Some did it poorly and some did it well... isn't that the struggle of the human existence? It is hard to remember, while still in the midst of it, that someday it will be over -- that we won't be remembered for our thoughts or intentions (however noble they might be) but for our actions. 

Be wary of the language of the book, as it can be discouraging at the beginning. Give it 100 pages or so to get used to it, and you will. I might have given this four coconuts because it was so difficult to read and (often) to understand, but I will give it five because I am sure that the author meant for it to be difficult and it is rare that we come across a book that is simultaneously difficult to read yet absorbing and educational. 
Five Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Librarian

Comments

[Lisa]

I think you did great getting through this one in 3 weeks!