I've read a bit about the French Revolution and it seems the perfect time to try this. Seeing how many books and storylines I can follow at one time is the challenge.
I’ve been so struck by how you’ve spoken about this book Simon, I’m finding it hard to resist joining in! It does sound very intense, and some of the chapter titles! But I’m sooooo tempted…..
I agree with Jaimie! I am participating because I know I am in good hands with Simon’s guidance. Wolf Crawl is such a treat! I know I would have never picked up a Hilary Mantel book if it wasn’t for these wonderful Footnotes and Tangents slow reads. Thank you Simon! I recall very little about world history from school. I watched a 90 minute documentary on the French Revolution this week produced by The History Channel in 2005. It was an easy watch if any one else needs a refresher.
I may be crazy, but I am enjoying the War and Peace slow read so much that I decided to join in on this one. I am a French teacher, retiring after 30 years next month, and my goal is to read this in French and English simultaneously. I just sat down and read the introduction, and though I have read the Wolf Hall trilogy, I have fallen in love with Hilary Mantel again, just glimpsing the intelligence and thoughtfulness behind the way she approached this work. What a loss to literature her death was.
Translations usually feel clunky to me, but I can’t wait to dive in. One interesting thing off the top is that the translation was published in two volumes; the first volume is entitled “L’Idéal”.
That's awesome!! Thank you. I came here for War and Peace (by way of Gretchen Reuben), but then added Wolf Crawl in July. I've thoroughly enjoyed both slow reads. Well... a slow read and a medium read. It has been more of a Wolf Walk. Ha! Thanks for putting all of these guides together. I appreciate them and all the comments you and other readers leave. I am looking forward to another year of fantastic slow reads with you. I am grateful to be a part of such a rich literary community.
Ah fantastic! Yes, I think most of the other reads are more of a trot compared to War & Peace, which is especially leisurely. I hope they aren't too fast, otherwise I might have to change the name!
Oh no. Just like War and Peace, Wolf Crawl is a perfect pace. Since I started in July with Wolf Hall, I was trying to catch up to the Wolf Crawl group which I did this week. Hooray!
Having promised I wouldn’t buy any more books until I’ve read all the TBRs in my house, Simon goes and does this to me 😭
I’ve given up on that pledge. I’ve got dozens of books to read 🤷♀️
I’m determined god damn! I will be my own library for the rest of the year
I so want to read this book. I’m scouring the second hand bookshops right now!!!!
Haha! Same.
I can’t believe I had not known about Hilary Mantel before this year…I’m addicted
I find myself in the exact same situation. I just downloaded the ebook free sample… not a great move.
Am currently enthralled with Tolstoy’s slow read, and having already done Wolf Hall, the prospect of another Mantel-piece was too good to refuse.
Mantel is such a good writer I’m also keen to read something else from her. I loved the trilogy.
Ooh hello! Good to see you in my inbox again. My copy arrived in post the other day. I need to finish done other books off sharpish 🤣
Thanks Simon, I couldn’t keep up with The Siege of Krishnapur and have given up for now, but I really want to do this one. So looking forward to it.
Hope you manage to do this one! Never worry about keeping up, and always read at the pace that works for you.
I've read a bit about the French Revolution and it seems the perfect time to try this. Seeing how many books and storylines I can follow at one time is the challenge.
I’ve been so struck by how you’ve spoken about this book Simon, I’m finding it hard to resist joining in! It does sound very intense, and some of the chapter titles! But I’m sooooo tempted…..
I agree with Jaimie! I am participating because I know I am in good hands with Simon’s guidance. Wolf Crawl is such a treat! I know I would have never picked up a Hilary Mantel book if it wasn’t for these wonderful Footnotes and Tangents slow reads. Thank you Simon! I recall very little about world history from school. I watched a 90 minute documentary on the French Revolution this week produced by The History Channel in 2005. It was an easy watch if any one else needs a refresher.
The perfect conundrum!
I may be crazy, but I am enjoying the War and Peace slow read so much that I decided to join in on this one. I am a French teacher, retiring after 30 years next month, and my goal is to read this in French and English simultaneously. I just sat down and read the introduction, and though I have read the Wolf Hall trilogy, I have fallen in love with Hilary Mantel again, just glimpsing the intelligence and thoughtfulness behind the way she approached this work. What a loss to literature her death was.
Welcome to APOGS! Would love to know how the French translation compares. Mantel read French, and I presume she took an interest in its translation.
Translations usually feel clunky to me, but I can’t wait to dive in. One interesting thing off the top is that the translation was published in two volumes; the first volume is entitled “L’Idéal”.
Oh, interesting! Do you know what the second volume is called?
Les Désordres
I’ve been waiting since we finished TSOK to be back with you Simon. Roll on Monday 👍
I am looking forward to this.
All ready!
Oh, gosh, I can't wait!
Printed out and raring to go!
Can you clarify this? I assume this is a typo and we are not reading both chapters that week.
Week 16: Part Five, Chapter VII – Chapter VIII
Carnivores & Imperfect Contrition
Monday 18 August – Sunday 24 August
Week 17: Part Five, Chapter IX
East Indians
Monday 18 August – Sunday 24 August
That would indeed be eccentric! Corrected, thanks for spotting!
Simon, will your slow read guide of A Place of Greater Safety still be available in 2026?
It will, yes!
That's awesome!! Thank you. I came here for War and Peace (by way of Gretchen Reuben), but then added Wolf Crawl in July. I've thoroughly enjoyed both slow reads. Well... a slow read and a medium read. It has been more of a Wolf Walk. Ha! Thanks for putting all of these guides together. I appreciate them and all the comments you and other readers leave. I am looking forward to another year of fantastic slow reads with you. I am grateful to be a part of such a rich literary community.
Ah fantastic! Yes, I think most of the other reads are more of a trot compared to War & Peace, which is especially leisurely. I hope they aren't too fast, otherwise I might have to change the name!
Oh no. Just like War and Peace, Wolf Crawl is a perfect pace. Since I started in July with Wolf Hall, I was trying to catch up to the Wolf Crawl group which I did this week. Hooray!
Thanks again for all of your slow reads.💕
Excited to read this one, heard great things about it.