Yesterday, December 23, while my family was out doing holiday tasks, I finished baking Christmas cookies. As I worked, I listened to the last few chapters of Mirror and the Light. (A slightly odd juxtaposition of task and mood, I grant you. But, like Cromwell, I was running out of time.) I had actually been delaying reading them because I didn’t want it to be over. Even though we know the end when we begin! Thank you so much, Simon, for all your efforts; a true highlight of 2024!
I cried through the final pages — I am stunned again and again at Hilary Mantel’s wizardry of writing — and then had to answer the door when a neighbor dropped off a quick bread Christmas gift. I decided there was no way I could explain my red eyes and had to let her think whatever she might. How could I explain how much Cromwell had gotten into my head this entire year? How sad I was to be saying goodbye to him at the scaffold? How deeply pleased I was by the decision to join Simon and everyone else for this 2024 reading adventure? This has been one of the enduring sparks of joy in this disturbing year. My hat is off to you, Simon, for a beautiful job well done!
I had a similar experience. How does one explain grieving the death of a fictionalised version of a man who has been dead for 500 years that one could never possibly have known?? That our hearts are breaking for a fictional Frenchman who's just lost his foster father and full of rage for that tyrant King Henry. We are a strange bunch 😂
What a delight it has been to spend a year with not only Cromwell, but you too Simon! ✨ I am convinced that I would not have enjoyed this as much as I have if I did not have your weekly posts. Whenever I’ve been confused I’ve always found answers in them, if there were details I got caught up on, you had your thoughts on it. And also, what a great community you’ve built!
Phew. I read The Mirror & The Light when it was published in 2020 — it was somehow a great companion for those weird lockdown days. Then when I re-read it in 2021, I stopped before the last chapter. I couldn't bear to lose Cromwell again, so I pretended he went on as he was, creating a little mischief at court. Since then, I've re-read it twice and the last pages still hit so hard and so well. Hilary Mantel did such a brilliant job with that final scene (of course she did). What a journey this has been! Thank you, Simon.
Melissa. Thats exactly how i did it. I could not kill him th second and third time around, so i left him kn the tower. but with this 4th go i did it and i was devastated, but it had to be done...
Thank you Simon and my fellow readers. This has been a deep beautiful read, living within Cromwell's life and mind for a year. I have a new view of Tudor England and the machinations of power. Divine king or autocratic ruler, absolute power is corrosive and deranged. In this strange Cromwell point of view that Mantel managed so well, I have now died, yet live to see the world without me.
The scene with Christophe shocked me, I didn't expect that at all and when I read it I was like 'no, no, please no, not Christophe too'. His 'I, Christophe Cremuel', identifying himself as a son of Cromwell- Hilary Mantel didn't spare you anything at the end.
I then thought hectically whether Christophe could somehow get out and flee, but there was no chance (Mantel made that clear right away with the strong presence of guards). I was almost a little offended at Mantel for putting me through this as one already had to cope with the imminent death of Cromwell , but of course it makes some sense somehow, not only does the adult Cromwell die, but with Christophe there is also an echo of the young Cromwell, about whom we have geard so much in the books and this 'version' of Cromwell is destroyed too. Complete obliteration.
Thank you Simon for this wonderful journey through the trilogy! Part of me would like to read them again straight away, but the next books are already waiting for me in 2025 (including 'A Place of Greater Safety' !!!)
The urge to re-read is strong for me too but I'm following the new books in 2025 and hoping to finally read Cromwell's biography. I'm definitely doing Wolf Crawl again some day.
Today I read the final chapter despite feeling resistance all week, knowing what was coming. I’m amazed at how Mantel was able to create tension - I even felt a slight hope despite knowing Crumb would not receive mercy - until the last sentence. And bless Christophe screaming and fuming for us.
And thank you, Simon. It has been such a rewarding experience to read along together. I’m looking forward to next year’s slow reads.
Yesterday I was shredding red cabbage and slow cooking a ragu for Christmas Eve. I had the audio on the go and had to reach for the book to listen AND read at the very end. Despite the sadness, (and my cabbage contains some tears not just caused by onions!) this felt like such a satisfying way to end an immensely rewarding year of reading, all massively enriched by Simon- thank you so much. Thank you to everyone who has commented and shared along the way- I have thoroughly enjoyed your company. There are no endings, only beginnings…….
“With heavy heart and trembling hand” I turned the last pages of this amazing trilogy and I am overwhelmed by how much Cromwell’s story has moved me.
Thank you so much Simon for being our guide. Your brilliant insights have definitely enriched my reading experience of these incredible books! It’s been such a wonderful experience to read along with you and fellow readers around the world.
Wishing you a and your family a Merry Christmas and looking forward to joining you next year for The Siege of Krishnapur
Thank you, Simon. This slow read has been a highlight of my year. It's been a real treat to spend the year with Mantel, Cromwell, you, and the delightful folks in the comments section here. Huge thanks to everyone who participated. <3
if I had to choose a recent book that would be still be read in one hundred years I'd choose this trilogy. Because its themes are timeless and because the distance from the events in 2124 will not be so very different than they are in 2024.
Simon, thank you for a spectacular reading experience.
A perfect post to complete a perfect trilogy. This slow read has made me realise how important it is to be a reader, and how being part of this wonderful community has developed me as a reader.
Deep down I know Christophe could not have got away, yet I hold onto a hope that he is like the young Cromwell and can free himself from what appears to be a situation with no way out. I like to imagine Christophe utilising the three card trick.
I finished the final installment last week and feel lost and a little sad. We all knew what was coming but when it did I was left speechless. The writing was incredible. Thank you so much Simon for hosting this incredible literary journey, it's been a pleasure and joy. I couldn't have done it without your help. Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄⭐❤️
You were so right in describing the trilogy as the feeling of the ectasy right before the fall. The end feels like cold water poured out to wake us all up. This journey has been so sweet, and at times painful, but it was a journey well worth it. Thanks for leading us!
Can't wait to reread War and Peace with the readalong!
Thank you, Simon, for this WolfCrawl year! I already quite enjoyed these books, but your essays and "footnotes and tangents" deepened my appreciation of them. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and I'll see you in January for The Siege of Krishnapur.
Thank you, Simon, for your wonderful summaries, breakdowns and opinions on these extraordinary novels. I’ll be a lifelong fan of everything related to the Tudor’s and Hilary Mantel’s writing. It’s been such a life changing year for me in doing these slow reads and I look forward to continuing next year. 🎄🙏🏼
Yesterday, December 23, while my family was out doing holiday tasks, I finished baking Christmas cookies. As I worked, I listened to the last few chapters of Mirror and the Light. (A slightly odd juxtaposition of task and mood, I grant you. But, like Cromwell, I was running out of time.) I had actually been delaying reading them because I didn’t want it to be over. Even though we know the end when we begin! Thank you so much, Simon, for all your efforts; a true highlight of 2024!
It is an incongruous end indeed! Like the cold in July. Thank you so much, Alison!
Seconded! Although read before, the trilogy has felt even richer this time around. Thank you Simon ❤️
I cried through the final pages — I am stunned again and again at Hilary Mantel’s wizardry of writing — and then had to answer the door when a neighbor dropped off a quick bread Christmas gift. I decided there was no way I could explain my red eyes and had to let her think whatever she might. How could I explain how much Cromwell had gotten into my head this entire year? How sad I was to be saying goodbye to him at the scaffold? How deeply pleased I was by the decision to join Simon and everyone else for this 2024 reading adventure? This has been one of the enduring sparks of joy in this disturbing year. My hat is off to you, Simon, for a beautiful job well done!
I had a similar experience. How does one explain grieving the death of a fictionalised version of a man who has been dead for 500 years that one could never possibly have known?? That our hearts are breaking for a fictional Frenchman who's just lost his foster father and full of rage for that tyrant King Henry. We are a strange bunch 😂
What a delight it has been to spend a year with not only Cromwell, but you too Simon! ✨ I am convinced that I would not have enjoyed this as much as I have if I did not have your weekly posts. Whenever I’ve been confused I’ve always found answers in them, if there were details I got caught up on, you had your thoughts on it. And also, what a great community you’ve built!
Merry Christmas and 🥳
Merry Christmas, Gabby! I am so glad I decided to do this, and staggered by the response from everyone. Thank you for reading with me.
Phew. I read The Mirror & The Light when it was published in 2020 — it was somehow a great companion for those weird lockdown days. Then when I re-read it in 2021, I stopped before the last chapter. I couldn't bear to lose Cromwell again, so I pretended he went on as he was, creating a little mischief at court. Since then, I've re-read it twice and the last pages still hit so hard and so well. Hilary Mantel did such a brilliant job with that final scene (of course she did). What a journey this has been! Thank you, Simon.
Melissa. Thats exactly how i did it. I could not kill him th second and third time around, so i left him kn the tower. but with this 4th go i did it and i was devastated, but it had to be done...
Thank you Simon and my fellow readers. This has been a deep beautiful read, living within Cromwell's life and mind for a year. I have a new view of Tudor England and the machinations of power. Divine king or autocratic ruler, absolute power is corrosive and deranged. In this strange Cromwell point of view that Mantel managed so well, I have now died, yet live to see the world without me.
Thanks for joining us, Leslie - what a strange transmutation of souls we have been.
The scene with Christophe shocked me, I didn't expect that at all and when I read it I was like 'no, no, please no, not Christophe too'. His 'I, Christophe Cremuel', identifying himself as a son of Cromwell- Hilary Mantel didn't spare you anything at the end.
I then thought hectically whether Christophe could somehow get out and flee, but there was no chance (Mantel made that clear right away with the strong presence of guards). I was almost a little offended at Mantel for putting me through this as one already had to cope with the imminent death of Cromwell , but of course it makes some sense somehow, not only does the adult Cromwell die, but with Christophe there is also an echo of the young Cromwell, about whom we have geard so much in the books and this 'version' of Cromwell is destroyed too. Complete obliteration.
Thank you Simon for this wonderful journey through the trilogy! Part of me would like to read them again straight away, but the next books are already waiting for me in 2025 (including 'A Place of Greater Safety' !!!)
The urge to re-read is strong for me too but I'm following the new books in 2025 and hoping to finally read Cromwell's biography. I'm definitely doing Wolf Crawl again some day.
Today I read the final chapter despite feeling resistance all week, knowing what was coming. I’m amazed at how Mantel was able to create tension - I even felt a slight hope despite knowing Crumb would not receive mercy - until the last sentence. And bless Christophe screaming and fuming for us.
And thank you, Simon. It has been such a rewarding experience to read along together. I’m looking forward to next year’s slow reads.
Yesterday I was shredding red cabbage and slow cooking a ragu for Christmas Eve. I had the audio on the go and had to reach for the book to listen AND read at the very end. Despite the sadness, (and my cabbage contains some tears not just caused by onions!) this felt like such a satisfying way to end an immensely rewarding year of reading, all massively enriched by Simon- thank you so much. Thank you to everyone who has commented and shared along the way- I have thoroughly enjoyed your company. There are no endings, only beginnings…….
“With heavy heart and trembling hand” I turned the last pages of this amazing trilogy and I am overwhelmed by how much Cromwell’s story has moved me.
Thank you so much Simon for being our guide. Your brilliant insights have definitely enriched my reading experience of these incredible books! It’s been such a wonderful experience to read along with you and fellow readers around the world.
Wishing you a and your family a Merry Christmas and looking forward to joining you next year for The Siege of Krishnapur
Thank you, Simon. This slow read has been a highlight of my year. It's been a real treat to spend the year with Mantel, Cromwell, you, and the delightful folks in the comments section here. Huge thanks to everyone who participated. <3
Thank you so much, Patricia, for being part of this journey.
if I had to choose a recent book that would be still be read in one hundred years I'd choose this trilogy. Because its themes are timeless and because the distance from the events in 2124 will not be so very different than they are in 2024.
Simon, thank you for a spectacular reading experience.
A perfect post to complete a perfect trilogy. This slow read has made me realise how important it is to be a reader, and how being part of this wonderful community has developed me as a reader.
Deep down I know Christophe could not have got away, yet I hold onto a hope that he is like the young Cromwell and can free himself from what appears to be a situation with no way out. I like to imagine Christophe utilising the three card trick.
Thank you again Simon and Happy New Year.
I finished the final installment last week and feel lost and a little sad. We all knew what was coming but when it did I was left speechless. The writing was incredible. Thank you so much Simon for hosting this incredible literary journey, it's been a pleasure and joy. I couldn't have done it without your help. Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄⭐❤️
Thank you Selina, and merry Christmas!
Yay! We did it!
You were so right in describing the trilogy as the feeling of the ectasy right before the fall. The end feels like cold water poured out to wake us all up. This journey has been so sweet, and at times painful, but it was a journey well worth it. Thanks for leading us!
Can't wait to reread War and Peace with the readalong!
Thank you, Simon, for this WolfCrawl year! I already quite enjoyed these books, but your essays and "footnotes and tangents" deepened my appreciation of them. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and I'll see you in January for The Siege of Krishnapur.
Thank you, Kathleen. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Thank you, Simon, for your wonderful summaries, breakdowns and opinions on these extraordinary novels. I’ll be a lifelong fan of everything related to the Tudor’s and Hilary Mantel’s writing. It’s been such a life changing year for me in doing these slow reads and I look forward to continuing next year. 🎄🙏🏼