Read my complete Wolf Hall guide • Join our Bring Up The Bodies read along • New Audrey guided audiobook of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland • 25% off Footnotes & Tangents
Thank you for your work, Simon. I am new here, but I am already impressed and I have regained my inspiration to read for the soul. It's worth a lot.
I have many ideas for possible books for future readings. But I want to focus on the non-obvious - the book of the Polish Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk "The Book of Jacob".
It's funny that this book of hers was compared with War and Peace and Mantel's trilogy. Such a coincidence. It is a 1000-page book in the style of magical realism, where fiction is intertwined with the history of Eastern Europe. This is a book about the role of women in history.
Thanks Dana! Great to have you here. Funny you should mention The Books of Jacob because it is a book I have often thought about reading... I think I would love it, but have so far been a little intimidated and not had the time. So it is definitely a possibility for a slow read here!
Oh, interesting. This is really a book for slow reading. Even if we are going to read another one together next year, still read it for yourself. I think you'll enjoy it.
Fantastic, Simon! An assistant sounds like a good idea as I can imagine the amount of work involved in this endeavour is huge.
I love the help and support you're providing for the #Wolfcrawl. Wolf Hall is an absorbing read, and not an easy one, so your commentary is invaluable. I look forward to continuing throughout the year and already I feel a deep sense of satisfaction in my reading of Mantel's work. Her writing is truly dazzling and I'm learning a lot from it. This is my second reading of the trilogy; there are few books I want to read more than once, but these three are very much worth the time. Your input and guidance makes the experience much richer and the community you've created around these slow reads is one I'm grateful to be part of.
My suggestion for a future slow read is Cormac Mccarthy's 'The Border Trilogy'.
Thanks so much Yasmin! Yes, I don't think I really realised how much I was taking on this year. And it is hard to hold back with Wolf Hall, as there's so much to write about. I had to abandon bits and pieces for lack of time! (Like Gregory).
Ah, The Border Trilogy is an interesting suggestion, I will give that some thought. I haven't read them but have often meant to and I am intrigued.
I find 'The Border Trilogy' absolutely mesmerising. I hope you get to read it even if it doesn't feature in your slow reads... though I hope it will one day.
The writing is amazingly good. I couldn't put it down. I'd love to read it again and hear what others think about it. There are so few opportunities to discuss our reading with others...
I read Blood Meridian, No Country for Old Men and The Road last year to make up for flagrantly ignoring his work until then. The subjects are dark but the writing is compelling.
haha, I have a dystopian manuscript burning a hole in my consciousness ... I have drifted to the dark side with my reading! Have you read 'Prophet Song' by Paul Lynch ... chilling in its ordinariness ... reading McCarthy and Lynch put my own paltry words on hold!
Your work is so appreciated Simon. Honestly in awe of how you're juggling a repeat of War and Peace with SUCH a large readership, AND adding the dearly beloved Cromwell trilogy to the mix (let alone as a parent to smols 🤯). I doff my hats each day to you! (As I wear a hat most days, this is an actual hat being doffed 😁). Bravo and thank you.
And I've just grabbed Audrey for the Alice read! Ta muchly!
You do incredible work Simon - in your research, voice overs, keeping the chats in line etc etc. It is a phenomenal effort and hearty congratulations for all those balls you are juggling so well (haven’t dropped on yet! Incredible). On a personal note I thank you for the amazing journey that is W&P (such a great chat group); and, for your guidance and reflections on WH without which, I am not sure I would have made it through and definitely without such an understanding as your weekly emails provided. Thank you once again and keep the good work up.
PS. Do I need to subscribe to the next book for WH or does it continue on ?
I would love to experience a slow read of Jane Eyre (one of my favourites) or The Lord of the Rings with the kind of community you've built here for War and Peace! I have picked up on so much that I wouldn't have simply reading on my own (and honestly, I doubt I'd have ever actually approached W&P by myself) so re-reading something I've read and loved with new perspectives would be fantastic. But I'm excited to see whatever you come up with, and will try to step out of my comfort zone with something new as well.
You should check out John Halbrooks read of The Lord of the Rings: https://johnhalbrooks.substack.com/ he looks like he's done an excellent job with it. I'm aiming for a mix of things next year, and definitely one book at a time from now on!
Thank you so much again for running these incredible read-alongs, Simon. An idea for a future slow read-along, might be Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, a book I’ve long wanted to read but am too intimidated by its size. 🤣 Or, of course, the sublime Anna Karenina!
I have to have a think about Les Mis. I feel like many people have done it before and better than I could do it, but I'm not ruling it out. Anna K is a must at some point!
Thanks for all your great work, Simon. I’d hate to think how much I would miss by not being in this group. Signed up to Alice. Couldn’t resist. So looking forward to it. I don’t think I’ve ever actually read the book before. Juggle juggle. And later also on Audrey, I’ve foolishly signed up for Ulysses. Sheer madness! 🤪
I did Ulysses for a year-long read when I was writing a lit blog. First three chapters and I’m thinking ‘Well what’s all this fuss about, it’s a doddle...’ Then of course it flips and suddenly I’m wading through treacle and have committed to writing about it each month. We made it to the end and tbh I was so relieved I felt like shouting ‘I’ve read Ulysses’ in the middle of Tescos. I didn’t but just that recollection reminds me yet again how grateful I am for all your hard work here. I know what is involved. Forgive me but I’m now so enjoying the fruits of someone else’s labours!
I love what you offer us through your curation Simon, as going into the Science A stream at secondary school meant no history beyond Tutankhamun!
Can I offer Alice Joilly's 'Mary Anne Sate - Imbeclie' for a shared read. I am reading in parallel to the trilogy and revelling in the expert way in which a voice is given to the unheard - a poor servant in rural Gloucestershire.
The listen-along is just May, to take part in any discussion over on Storygraph. Although you might be able to see people's comments there if you listen later, like you can here. The app is great, and their library is growing all the time.
Looking forward to Bring Up the Bodies next week! @margaretatwood wrote in her review of Hilary Mantel's masterpiece -"How much intricate spadework will it take to "dig out" Cromwell, that "sleek, plump, and densely inaccessible" enigma? Reader, wait and see."
Tristram Shandy? With or without a dip into Don Quixote. Pretty much any big fat Russian you want to do, I would follow that. Bleak House? As much of Proust as you think you want to do? I’ve got the whole set, but never got past Swann’s Way. Good old Moby Dick? Really, whatever you love is what it should be.
Thanks for all the work you're putting into this, Simon! I'm enjoying the Wolf Hall read-along immensely. I'll recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry for a future slow read.
Thank you so very much, Simon! I enjoyed W&P last year reading under your guidance and with a wonderful group of fellow readers so much. And this year the WolfCrawl read is also such a great reading experience, again thanks to you and your insights, your great posts and the reading community you create 👏
Thank you for your work, Simon. I am new here, but I am already impressed and I have regained my inspiration to read for the soul. It's worth a lot.
I have many ideas for possible books for future readings. But I want to focus on the non-obvious - the book of the Polish Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk "The Book of Jacob".
It's funny that this book of hers was compared with War and Peace and Mantel's trilogy. Such a coincidence. It is a 1000-page book in the style of magical realism, where fiction is intertwined with the history of Eastern Europe. This is a book about the role of women in history.
Thanks Dana! Great to have you here. Funny you should mention The Books of Jacob because it is a book I have often thought about reading... I think I would love it, but have so far been a little intimidated and not had the time. So it is definitely a possibility for a slow read here!
Oh, interesting. This is really a book for slow reading. Even if we are going to read another one together next year, still read it for yourself. I think you'll enjoy it.
Fantastic, Simon! An assistant sounds like a good idea as I can imagine the amount of work involved in this endeavour is huge.
I love the help and support you're providing for the #Wolfcrawl. Wolf Hall is an absorbing read, and not an easy one, so your commentary is invaluable. I look forward to continuing throughout the year and already I feel a deep sense of satisfaction in my reading of Mantel's work. Her writing is truly dazzling and I'm learning a lot from it. This is my second reading of the trilogy; there are few books I want to read more than once, but these three are very much worth the time. Your input and guidance makes the experience much richer and the community you've created around these slow reads is one I'm grateful to be part of.
My suggestion for a future slow read is Cormac Mccarthy's 'The Border Trilogy'.
Thanks so much Yasmin! Yes, I don't think I really realised how much I was taking on this year. And it is hard to hold back with Wolf Hall, as there's so much to write about. I had to abandon bits and pieces for lack of time! (Like Gregory).
Ah, The Border Trilogy is an interesting suggestion, I will give that some thought. I haven't read them but have often meant to and I am intrigued.
I find 'The Border Trilogy' absolutely mesmerising. I hope you get to read it even if it doesn't feature in your slow reads... though I hope it will one day.
Ooh, I have the Border Trilogy on the shelf, bought last year to mark his passing and, as yet, unread (though the reading year is young!).
The writing is amazingly good. I couldn't put it down. I'd love to read it again and hear what others think about it. There are so few opportunities to discuss our reading with others...
I read Blood Meridian, No Country for Old Men and The Road last year to make up for flagrantly ignoring his work until then. The subjects are dark but the writing is compelling.
Goodness! I started with the lighter work!
haha, I have a dystopian manuscript burning a hole in my consciousness ... I have drifted to the dark side with my reading! Have you read 'Prophet Song' by Paul Lynch ... chilling in its ordinariness ... reading McCarthy and Lynch put my own paltry words on hold!
'Prophet Song' has now been added to my TBR list! I thank you. 😊
Wow. Interesting idea. All the Pretty Horses is the most accessible thing he ever wrote, but it definitely gets weird after that!
Your work is so appreciated Simon. Honestly in awe of how you're juggling a repeat of War and Peace with SUCH a large readership, AND adding the dearly beloved Cromwell trilogy to the mix (let alone as a parent to smols 🤯). I doff my hats each day to you! (As I wear a hat most days, this is an actual hat being doffed 😁). Bravo and thank you.
And I've just grabbed Audrey for the Alice read! Ta muchly!
Hurray! I'm going to have a holiday in 2025 I think, this year is a bit nuts. Thanks for the hat-doffing... it feels very Victorian.
Mighty work, Simon. Incredible, really. You have taken the community aspects of a Substack and totally owned them. Fabulous.
You are very kind!
Encouraging, one might say.
Haha, I see what you did there! But only saying it as we all find it. Keep up the awesome.
You do incredible work Simon - in your research, voice overs, keeping the chats in line etc etc. It is a phenomenal effort and hearty congratulations for all those balls you are juggling so well (haven’t dropped on yet! Incredible). On a personal note I thank you for the amazing journey that is W&P (such a great chat group); and, for your guidance and reflections on WH without which, I am not sure I would have made it through and definitely without such an understanding as your weekly emails provided. Thank you once again and keep the good work up.
PS. Do I need to subscribe to the next book for WH or does it continue on ?
Thanks Helen! Good point, I should have made that clear: No, you don't need to do anything. You're all set.
I would love to experience a slow read of Jane Eyre (one of my favourites) or The Lord of the Rings with the kind of community you've built here for War and Peace! I have picked up on so much that I wouldn't have simply reading on my own (and honestly, I doubt I'd have ever actually approached W&P by myself) so re-reading something I've read and loved with new perspectives would be fantastic. But I'm excited to see whatever you come up with, and will try to step out of my comfort zone with something new as well.
You should check out John Halbrooks read of The Lord of the Rings: https://johnhalbrooks.substack.com/ he looks like he's done an excellent job with it. I'm aiming for a mix of things next year, and definitely one book at a time from now on!
Thank you so much for this suggestion! I may need to plan to go back and follow along with his posts for my own slow-read next year!
Another option for LOTR is the Close Reads Substack; they did it last year, I think.
Thank you so much again for running these incredible read-alongs, Simon. An idea for a future slow read-along, might be Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, a book I’ve long wanted to read but am too intimidated by its size. 🤣 Or, of course, the sublime Anna Karenina!
Along with War & Peace, this was another of my personal reading challenges. I loved it. Don’t be put off by its weight. It really is a good story.
I have to have a think about Les Mis. I feel like many people have done it before and better than I could do it, but I'm not ruling it out. Anna K is a must at some point!
I completely agree, but you are very modest, I can’t believe anybody could run a read-along better than you - you are a master!
Ah, too kind! I'll think about it.
I’m really hoping for A Place of Greater Safety next year. Twice I’ve reached half way and bailed out. That said, whatever you choose I’m in.
APOGS is definitely happening next year.
Be so good to crease the spine beyond the halfway point at last😂
Thanks for all your great work, Simon. I’d hate to think how much I would miss by not being in this group. Signed up to Alice. Couldn’t resist. So looking forward to it. I don’t think I’ve ever actually read the book before. Juggle juggle. And later also on Audrey, I’ve foolishly signed up for Ulysses. Sheer madness! 🤪
Oh, have they got Ulysses on there! I hadn't checked. Wow. I'd be tempted to do that with Audrey.
I did Ulysses for a year-long read when I was writing a lit blog. First three chapters and I’m thinking ‘Well what’s all this fuss about, it’s a doddle...’ Then of course it flips and suddenly I’m wading through treacle and have committed to writing about it each month. We made it to the end and tbh I was so relieved I felt like shouting ‘I’ve read Ulysses’ in the middle of Tescos. I didn’t but just that recollection reminds me yet again how grateful I am for all your hard work here. I know what is involved. Forgive me but I’m now so enjoying the fruits of someone else’s labours!
Haha that's OK! It's always nice when someone knows from experience how much work is involved!
I’ve been wanting to read it for ages and this way would be the ONLY way I’d tackle it. I’ve bought the book as well so will be a listen/read along ☺️
I love what you offer us through your curation Simon, as going into the Science A stream at secondary school meant no history beyond Tutankhamun!
Can I offer Alice Joilly's 'Mary Anne Sate - Imbeclie' for a shared read. I am reading in parallel to the trilogy and revelling in the expert way in which a voice is given to the unheard - a poor servant in rural Gloucestershire.
Do take a look and thanks again,
Thank you! I shall inspect! Sounds interesting.
Oh please don’t suggest more slow reads! I have a life too. I’ll maybe download Alice to listen for my holidays.
Haha, these are for the future. 2025 and beyond. Hope you enjoy Alice!
Yep I’ve signed up for the listen along 🙈
Great!
Ps finished Wolf hall last night 😁
Can I do the listen- along anytime? Just downloading app now.
The listen-along is just May, to take part in any discussion over on Storygraph. Although you might be able to see people's comments there if you listen later, like you can here. The app is great, and their library is growing all the time.
Looking forward to Bring Up the Bodies next week! @margaretatwood wrote in her review of Hilary Mantel's masterpiece -"How much intricate spadework will it take to "dig out" Cromwell, that "sleek, plump, and densely inaccessible" enigma? Reader, wait and see."
Tristram Shandy? With or without a dip into Don Quixote. Pretty much any big fat Russian you want to do, I would follow that. Bleak House? As much of Proust as you think you want to do? I’ve got the whole set, but never got past Swann’s Way. Good old Moby Dick? Really, whatever you love is what it should be.
Thanks for all the work you're putting into this, Simon! I'm enjoying the Wolf Hall read-along immensely. I'll recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry for a future slow read.
Thank you! Another good suggestion!
Thank you so very much, Simon! I enjoyed W&P last year reading under your guidance and with a wonderful group of fellow readers so much. And this year the WolfCrawl read is also such a great reading experience, again thanks to you and your insights, your great posts and the reading community you create 👏
Simon, you have enriched my life. Thank you!
Ah, thank you!