LOL, it's completely FOMO, especially with the Tower of London meetup idea. I recall how much I loved the BBC adaptation, and I'm fairly certain this will be way better. I also like the idea of being led through it by an expert. #lifelonglearner
Your Cromwell piece is wonderful, Simon, and this whole post really sets the scene so well. I also really appreciate your offer of support to readers on lower incomes, which is so thoughtful. I’ve just subscribed and can’t wait for our magnificent year with Mantel, Cromwell and all the gang. I live in Edinburgh so might not make it to the Tower of London, but will relish the chance of online series viewings and of course all the chat in between.
Thank you, that's very kind! I'm in Newcastle, so the Tower would be a big expedition for me. But perhaps worth it after a year with Mantel. Looking forward to it!
Ok, now I can't decide between doing this and War and Peace (both??). I've always been fascinated by this time period too, and this sounds so fun. A couple years ago when I visited the Tower of London, I got to stand in the very place where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, which I still consider one of the highlights of that trip (call me morbid with a disturbing fascination with the macabre, but oh well).
Morbid and macabre, there's plenty of head rolling in Wolf Hall. Well I can't really advise you on which one to read (or both?). This will be my main project next year, W&P will be a bit more low-key - I'm basically using it to organise my notes and get everything posts on substack.
Oh amazing! You'll have so much to bring to this and I hope you feel like sharing your thoughts along the way. What was the general topic of your dissertation?
Absolutely! My dissertation was all about the 'haunting' that takes place within the trilogy, presence & absence, literal and metaphorical ghosts, historical records etc.
Oh wonderful, one of my favourite topics. No pressure, but if you ever feel like sharing your dissertation, I've love to read it. Where were you studying?
I’m so so excited for this - it’ll be my first readathon AND first time reading Mantel and cannot wait!! Thanks for all your efforts in organising this for us!
I am so excited for this! I've read Wolf Hall twice and Bringing Up the Bodies once and never got to The Mirror & the Light, so I am really looking forward to spending next year with them!
Hey! Yes I joined a couple of months ago when I was losing patience with IG and looking for a new space for my writing and readalongs. Glad I made the jump! And awesome, welcome to the Mantel gang!
You, living in England, and never been to the Tower? Simon, what have you been doing with yourself all this time! 😂 I was there when I visited London in 2014, and it was the highlight of my trip. A sunny day, fortunately. It kept some of the ghosts at bay.
Really looking forward to it. Like the idea of a Tower of London meet up
Yes, I just thought of that last night. But it really must be done! So happy to have you with us.
Oh my gosh, Simon, this intro is very convincing!! I'm going to steal - er, borrow - a copy from my in-laws shelves next weekend 🤗
Is the FOMO working it's magic on you? I'm sorry for being very convincing, but I lay the blame entirely at Mantel's feet.
LOL, it's completely FOMO, especially with the Tower of London meetup idea. I recall how much I loved the BBC adaptation, and I'm fairly certain this will be way better. I also like the idea of being led through it by an expert. #lifelonglearner
A self-taught expert here and a lifelong learner. These are the books I want to share with the world more than any others.
I'm looking forward to this. And I too like the idea of a Tower of London meet up - as long as we all leave with our heads intact!!!
We will have to stay on the right side of Master Secretary!
Could be difficult with a group of overexcited readers, lol
Oh we don't stand a chance!
😂😂😂
Your Cromwell piece is wonderful, Simon, and this whole post really sets the scene so well. I also really appreciate your offer of support to readers on lower incomes, which is so thoughtful. I’ve just subscribed and can’t wait for our magnificent year with Mantel, Cromwell and all the gang. I live in Edinburgh so might not make it to the Tower of London, but will relish the chance of online series viewings and of course all the chat in between.
Thank you, that's very kind! I'm in Newcastle, so the Tower would be a big expedition for me. But perhaps worth it after a year with Mantel. Looking forward to it!
Yes true! Meantime, perhaps we can at some point have a Northern Branch meet up with anyone else in the rough area. 😀
Absolutely!
This somehow feels like the readalong to end all readalongs. Phew!
Haha it's the end-times readalong-killer. After this it will just be tumbleweeds.
I'm so interested to see what you're going to attempt in 2025! Setting the bar really high now 😆
Oh my, let's leave that for another day. 😂
I'm pitching Place of Greater Safety...but we may be Mantel-ed out by then 😂
Ha I might not be, but others probably. Maybe 2026? Something light in between?
Please not a Brontethon...
I will save you that.
Ok, now I can't decide between doing this and War and Peace (both??). I've always been fascinated by this time period too, and this sounds so fun. A couple years ago when I visited the Tower of London, I got to stand in the very place where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, which I still consider one of the highlights of that trip (call me morbid with a disturbing fascination with the macabre, but oh well).
Morbid and macabre, there's plenty of head rolling in Wolf Hall. Well I can't really advise you on which one to read (or both?). This will be my main project next year, W&P will be a bit more low-key - I'm basically using it to organise my notes and get everything posts on substack.
Very much looking forward to this next chapter of #lifelonglearningwithsimon
Humbled by everyone's enthusiasm!
I wrote my master's dissertation on this trilogy and I absolutely loved it - looking forward to revisiting the world of Mantel
Oh amazing! You'll have so much to bring to this and I hope you feel like sharing your thoughts along the way. What was the general topic of your dissertation?
Absolutely! My dissertation was all about the 'haunting' that takes place within the trilogy, presence & absence, literal and metaphorical ghosts, historical records etc.
Oh wonderful, one of my favourite topics. No pressure, but if you ever feel like sharing your dissertation, I've love to read it. Where were you studying?
I’m so so excited for this - it’ll be my first readathon AND first time reading Mantel and cannot wait!! Thanks for all your efforts in organising this for us!
Wonderful! I hope I can be a good guide and you enjoy being part of the reading community. Oh, and love Mantel too!
I am so excited for this! I've read Wolf Hall twice and Bringing Up the Bodies once and never got to The Mirror & the Light, so I am really looking forward to spending next year with them!
It will be quite something won't it? Not sure what living in Cromwell's head will do to us next year. But we're going to find out!
Simon, I didn't know you were her on Substack. I hope you're enjoying it?
I've been debating about reading Wolf Hall for ages. I think you holding my hand is actually the encouragement I needed, so count me in.
Hey! Yes I joined a couple of months ago when I was losing patience with IG and looking for a new space for my writing and readalongs. Glad I made the jump! And awesome, welcome to the Mantel gang!
Yeah I not spending half a much time on IG these days 😅😅. Just picked up my copy via eBay.
Perfect!
Have read Wolf Hall twice before, and would be interested in the 'analysis', so will try to find the time to join the wolf crawl
Great! Hope you enjoy the discussion.
I so enjoyed your Cromwell tangent and narration!
Thank you!
Looking forward to this! 2024 will be a great reading year
It's going to be fabulous.
I'm visiting the tower in a couple of weeks - 100% cannot wait.
I fear I've never been! 😱 Something I must rectify next year.
You, living in England, and never been to the Tower? Simon, what have you been doing with yourself all this time! 😂 I was there when I visited London in 2014, and it was the highlight of my trip. A sunny day, fortunately. It kept some of the ghosts at bay.
When you live somewhere you take it for granted. 🙈🙈
So now you'll have to get up and go see these places in 2024!
Quite!
YES PLEASE