I have a friend who (as far as I know) *still* hasn't finished the last episode of the TV adaptation because (SPOILER ALERT) Cromwell doesn't have a happy time of it.
I can’t resist joining in. I have read through it once, whilst in COVID lockdown in my daughter’s apartment in New Zealand. I loved it. It will be great preparation for the Wolf Hall weekend that I am so excited to be attending next June!
It’s going to be a challenge to keep up with War and Peace and APOGS as well, but oh what a joyful problem to have!
I am most certainly intending to join in. The group readings and discussions of the first two books, and especially the guidance we've had from Simon, have been an excellent, incredibly informative and engaging experience to date, so I am looking forward to more of the same.
Thanks for the extensive bookclub list Simon. I run a small bookclub in my hometown Listowel with fellow literature obsessives. We decided not to do prescribed reading and instead read the books we are interested in and then meet up physically or on Whatsapp to discuss them. It works out really well and our breadth of reading has expanded.
So much on your plate! Well, even if you don't squeeze it in... the guide will always be there for you with the additional discussion. It is a very rich book, but slow and winding. Think of it as the Thames estuary, flowing out into the sea.
Hey Lisa. Well these things shouldn't be rushed, but if there's one book in the trilogy that can be read quickly it is Bring Up the Bodies. Maybe you could read it in the next month and meet up with us for the third one at the end of July?
Yes yes, I am one of those who has put of Mirror and the Light for fear of saying goodbye. But I'm putting my big girl pants on to join this in July!
Hurrah! Time to do it, Shona. And speaking from experience last year, this was an awesome way to complete the trilogy.
I have become far too attached to Cromwell. It's going to be a painful experience I fear.
I have a friend who (as far as I know) *still* hasn't finished the last episode of the TV adaptation because (SPOILER ALERT) Cromwell doesn't have a happy time of it.
But we'll all be there to support you!
I feel like this would be me as well 🤣 I haven't seen the last series at all because I wanted to read it first!
Great - we’ll be glad to have you along!
Oh yay! I’ve already started, oops, but as your official read along begins on my birthday I will dive in feet first with you
Ah almost snap, my birthday is on the 24th! Great to have you with us.
Leo season turns to Cromwell season
Enjoy your 'few days off,' you certainly earn personal writing time. Thank you for all you do. ♡
Thanks Jessica!
Simon, are you working on a novel?
I am, yes. Slowly but surely.
Wonderful news. Is it historical?
No, not really. But, I'm not really sure what genre it is. Today, I'm going with "anti-fantasy".
I can’t resist joining in. I have read through it once, whilst in COVID lockdown in my daughter’s apartment in New Zealand. I loved it. It will be great preparation for the Wolf Hall weekend that I am so excited to be attending next June!
It’s going to be a challenge to keep up with War and Peace and APOGS as well, but oh what a joyful problem to have!
There are indeed worse problems to have! Yes, I sometimes forget that it was a lockdown book. Look forward to meeting you next year!
I am most certainly intending to join in. The group readings and discussions of the first two books, and especially the guidance we've had from Simon, have been an excellent, incredibly informative and engaging experience to date, so I am looking forward to more of the same.
Thanks for the extensive bookclub list Simon. I run a small bookclub in my hometown Listowel with fellow literature obsessives. We decided not to do prescribed reading and instead read the books we are interested in and then meet up physically or on Whatsapp to discuss them. It works out really well and our breadth of reading has expanded.
Wonderful!
The first two Mantel pieces on Cromwell were a joy to read and a revelation in writing. But I did not, or could not, get 'into' the final instalment.
So, in juggling slow reads with War and Peace, APOGS and The Brothers Karamazov at the moment, do I have space or time for another one?
Yet Simon says it's his favourite of the trilogy. With that endorsement, I'll just have to find the capacity. I'm in...
So much on your plate! Well, even if you don't squeeze it in... the guide will always be there for you with the additional discussion. It is a very rich book, but slow and winding. Think of it as the Thames estuary, flowing out into the sea.
I lost my mojo in week one of BUTB, after a very intense period of reading the first book, and now I am way behind everyone else 😢
Hey Lisa. Well these things shouldn't be rushed, but if there's one book in the trilogy that can be read quickly it is Bring Up the Bodies. Maybe you could read it in the next month and meet up with us for the third one at the end of July?
Good plan! Thank you for the kick up the backside / motivation!
Good luck!