I made a bookmark for my personal reading of Wolf Hall 2026, if anyone would find it helpful (it's based on the Forth Estate pg numbers which are the same as Harper Perennial :)
I’m seriously considering doing this slow read all over again. Despite going slowly and having Simon’s expert guidance, I know I’ve scarcely begun to explore the depths and riches of this incredible trilogy. If I do do it again, I’ll definitely resubscribe because the weekly essays were such an indispensable part of the reading experience and so full of fascinating information that I rarely had time to savour it all.
Thanks Joanna! I realised half way through it would take me more than a year to complete this project properly. Looking forward to improving the posts and next year should be even better!
I cannot recommend this slow read highly enough. Hilary Mantel was a magician of research, eloquence, and wit, and I am completely and utterly in love with being inside Thomas Cromwell’s head for an entire year. Simon Haisell is indeed a master of guidance and support and this slow read has been a highlight of 2024 for me. Subscribe now before the price goes up and set up your notifications — you will have a treat ahead of you!
Although I had previously consumed the Wolf Hall trilogy on my own, finding this stack midway through 2024 has added depth I never expected. He, Simon, brings substantial curated research to the table, including historical background, character studies, art, music, food, and architecture. Even though I don’t generally contribute to the discussions, having found you just at the end of Bring Up the Bodies, it has been delightful to discover others interested in Mantel’s masterpiece of a trilogy. I don’t have fellow Mantel readers in my offline life. Next year I’m hoping to join the community for the whole trilogy, W&P, and A Place of Greater Safety. Thank you for providing and hosting deep engagement with Mantel and other classic literature.
I really enjoyed the War & Peace read along and I will continue with Wolf Hall! I have no idea of what I am getting into but I trust Simon's ability to guide us all. I am excited =)
Another mammoth reading project, or so I thought when I first heard of the yearlong slow read — I confess I had heard the name Hilary Mantel but thought she wrote “The Other Boleyn Girl”! After reading Simon’s introduction to the Cromwell trilogy I was intrigued but not enough to commit to the slow read. But after I read Simon’s essay on the unique point of view (like a homunculus perched on Cromwell’s shoulder) with which Mantel wrote the books, the opening chapter of Wolf Hall became much easier to follow, and after that Mantel’s magic took over.
Simon’s weekly essays add so much to our understanding of the history and culture of that age, not to mention periodic birdseye views of the story arc. I will always thank Simon for telling us that this is a ghost story and a revenge story.
Simon, I can’t tell you how excited I am about this slow read. Last year I read War and Peace with you and this year I have subscribed for Wolf Crawl. I tell everyone within earshot how THIS slow read has changed my life.
Oh, that makes me so happy, Theresa! You're in for a real treat too. Both with the books and the read-along, got great things plans for some revamped posts.
Hi there, Is the Wolf Crawl open to readers outside of the UK? Will those of us using US published Hilary Mantel books still be able to follow the pagination? Thank you so much for this wonderful idea!
Absolutely! We are international! The pagination is just a guide, which is why I've included the first and last lines – Mantel writes long chapters so they need to be broken up some how!
Hi Simon, I am subscribed for 2024 and would like to subscribe for 2025 to join the Wolf Crawl read a long (so enjoying your War and Peace read along!!!). Can post something in the chat to tell us how to sign up again for 2025? Thanks for your genius creation!!!!
That’s a relief! I’m planning on joining your slow reads yearly, it’s been an extraordinary experience! I’m in awe of what you are doing and how creative your posts and comments are! I find it inspirational because it gives me hope that I too might find a new niche career doing something I love…I just can’t go back to nursing.
Sounds like how I felt about academia! I hope you do – this wouldn't have been possible five years ago I don't think, so these sort of things can happen!
I am planning on joining again. It’s been the highlight of my year! Having read 👀 the trilogy this year, I plan to listen to the audio version next year and of course Simon’s notes. Sometimes I think I ‘get’ different things from printed/audio versions of the same book. I also think I could read the trilogy every year and never tire of it. If anyone is in two minds about joining, here’s your sign, do it! 💖
OK I'm persuaded! I've read the trilogy before and really enjoyed, but I know I will get more out of this reread. Absolutely loved the War and Peace slow read this year and signed up for the others next year too. What's been really interesting is that I'm reading more and more and managing to dip in and out of different books which I've not really done before (some might not think that's a good thing but it suits me!). Looking forward to next year (just need to find my copy of Wolf Hall - who did I lend it to?!)
I love that! I've probably been reading less since I started doing this – but I've been re-discovering the books I love. I find myself DNF'ing more books now. Anyway, re-reading Wolf Hall slowly is an entirely different experience and so rewarding! Hunt down your copy!
Amazing! Wolf Crawl will be a little different as it doesn't have a daily dose, but I'm very excited to be putting it on again. The books are incredible and I've got lots of exciting things planned!
I agree with these posters/readers, the slow read has been such a high light of this year. I had read both the Wolf Hall trilogy and War and Peace before. Rereading with Simon has brought so much more to these works. I am very grateful!
I made a bookmark for my personal reading of Wolf Hall 2026, if anyone would find it helpful (it's based on the Forth Estate pg numbers which are the same as Harper Perennial :)
https://www.canva.com/design/DAG9MbW4ctQ/n0_po6vpSQZIjXnPqv3Q5Q/view?utm_content=DAG9MbW4ctQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h6c7c8c184e
Thanks Jennifer! Can I link to these on the reading schedule?
Of course :) I just added one to the Midnight's Children comment thread, too. I can also send you the files directly if that's better.
Oh wow! This is so cool! Love it 👍🏻 thank you!
Excellent! Thanks!
This is great. Thank you!
I’m seriously considering doing this slow read all over again. Despite going slowly and having Simon’s expert guidance, I know I’ve scarcely begun to explore the depths and riches of this incredible trilogy. If I do do it again, I’ll definitely resubscribe because the weekly essays were such an indispensable part of the reading experience and so full of fascinating information that I rarely had time to savour it all.
Thanks Joanna! I realised half way through it would take me more than a year to complete this project properly. Looking forward to improving the posts and next year should be even better!
I cannot recommend this slow read highly enough. Hilary Mantel was a magician of research, eloquence, and wit, and I am completely and utterly in love with being inside Thomas Cromwell’s head for an entire year. Simon Haisell is indeed a master of guidance and support and this slow read has been a highlight of 2024 for me. Subscribe now before the price goes up and set up your notifications — you will have a treat ahead of you!
Thank you, Sheri!
Although I had previously consumed the Wolf Hall trilogy on my own, finding this stack midway through 2024 has added depth I never expected. He, Simon, brings substantial curated research to the table, including historical background, character studies, art, music, food, and architecture. Even though I don’t generally contribute to the discussions, having found you just at the end of Bring Up the Bodies, it has been delightful to discover others interested in Mantel’s masterpiece of a trilogy. I don’t have fellow Mantel readers in my offline life. Next year I’m hoping to join the community for the whole trilogy, W&P, and A Place of Greater Safety. Thank you for providing and hosting deep engagement with Mantel and other classic literature.
Thank you Christina! This is the home of Mantel enthusiasts!
Great introduction. I feel I may be popping into the chat during the year as missing it already 😆Although APOGS will help my Mantel addiction.
APOGS is going to be intense! 😬
It is isn't it! However, I think the support of this slow read will help us work through the intensity, much more so than reading on own.
I feel the same way about the latter stages of The Mirror and the Light.
Definitely! As I think I have said previously I feel teary thinking about it.
My feelings exactly!
I really enjoyed the War & Peace read along and I will continue with Wolf Hall! I have no idea of what I am getting into but I trust Simon's ability to guide us all. I am excited =)
This is such a different journey - darker, funnier, and with less maths. I think you'll enjoy it!
Another mammoth reading project, or so I thought when I first heard of the yearlong slow read — I confess I had heard the name Hilary Mantel but thought she wrote “The Other Boleyn Girl”! After reading Simon’s introduction to the Cromwell trilogy I was intrigued but not enough to commit to the slow read. But after I read Simon’s essay on the unique point of view (like a homunculus perched on Cromwell’s shoulder) with which Mantel wrote the books, the opening chapter of Wolf Hall became much easier to follow, and after that Mantel’s magic took over.
Simon’s weekly essays add so much to our understanding of the history and culture of that age, not to mention periodic birdseye views of the story arc. I will always thank Simon for telling us that this is a ghost story and a revenge story.
I'm impressed you've managed both this year! Thank you for your kind words.
Simon, I can’t tell you how excited I am about this slow read. Last year I read War and Peace with you and this year I have subscribed for Wolf Crawl. I tell everyone within earshot how THIS slow read has changed my life.
Oh, that makes me so happy, Theresa! You're in for a real treat too. Both with the books and the read-along, got great things plans for some revamped posts.
Hi there, Is the Wolf Crawl open to readers outside of the UK? Will those of us using US published Hilary Mantel books still be able to follow the pagination? Thank you so much for this wonderful idea!
Absolutely! We are international! The pagination is just a guide, which is why I've included the first and last lines – Mantel writes long chapters so they need to be broken up some how!
Hi Simon, I am subscribed for 2024 and would like to subscribe for 2025 to join the Wolf Crawl read a long (so enjoying your War and Peace read along!!!). Can post something in the chat to tell us how to sign up again for 2025? Thanks for your genius creation!!!!
Hey Lisa! You shouldn't have to do anything – your subscription will automatically renew and you'll have access to everything.
That’s a relief! I’m planning on joining your slow reads yearly, it’s been an extraordinary experience! I’m in awe of what you are doing and how creative your posts and comments are! I find it inspirational because it gives me hope that I too might find a new niche career doing something I love…I just can’t go back to nursing.
Sounds like how I felt about academia! I hope you do – this wouldn't have been possible five years ago I don't think, so these sort of things can happen!
I loved W&P in 2023. After a year away from the wisdom of Simon I'm going to be back in 2025 for Wolf Crawl. I can't wait for the new year to begin 📚
Welcome back Sarah!
I am planning on joining again. It’s been the highlight of my year! Having read 👀 the trilogy this year, I plan to listen to the audio version next year and of course Simon’s notes. Sometimes I think I ‘get’ different things from printed/audio versions of the same book. I also think I could read the trilogy every year and never tire of it. If anyone is in two minds about joining, here’s your sign, do it! 💖
Thanks Sharon! I completely agree that listening is an entirely new experience.
OK I'm persuaded! I've read the trilogy before and really enjoyed, but I know I will get more out of this reread. Absolutely loved the War and Peace slow read this year and signed up for the others next year too. What's been really interesting is that I'm reading more and more and managing to dip in and out of different books which I've not really done before (some might not think that's a good thing but it suits me!). Looking forward to next year (just need to find my copy of Wolf Hall - who did I lend it to?!)
I love that! I've probably been reading less since I started doing this – but I've been re-discovering the books I love. I find myself DNF'ing more books now. Anyway, re-reading Wolf Hall slowly is an entirely different experience and so rewarding! Hunt down your copy!
To be fair I think you’re a little busy with the Substack posts & replies! Hope you have a few breaks for yourself planned into 2025 😊
My first read of W&P this year with you and all the incredible fellow readers has me hooked on a daily slow read!
Your skillful summaries and insights of Tolstoy’s writing has enticed me to join Wolf Crawl 2025. Books I thought I would never read. 😊
Looking forward to spending another year with you and Hilary Mantel for the first time.
Amazing! Wolf Crawl will be a little different as it doesn't have a daily dose, but I'm very excited to be putting it on again. The books are incredible and I've got lots of exciting things planned!
I agree with these posters/readers, the slow read has been such a high light of this year. I had read both the Wolf Hall trilogy and War and Peace before. Rereading with Simon has brought so much more to these works. I am very grateful!
Thank you!
"She, Mantel" perfect, haunting piece.