So now, read Wolf Hall with us!

An invitation to join the 2026 slow read of Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy

Hello, friends and fellow readers

It’s Simon here, the host of slow read-alongs at Footnotes & Tangents, and I would like to invite you to join Wolf Crawl in 2026.

Over the last three years, I have run a series of worldwide book groups exploring some of my favourite novels at a gentle pace with rich resources and a fantastic reading community. For two years, I have led a year-long reading of Hilary Mantel’s magnificent trilogy about the life of Thomas Cromwell: Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light.

The read-along is called Wolf Crawl. This post serves as your introduction and welcome pack, containing everything you need to determine if this slow read is right for you. There are also lots of quotes from readers who have joined me this year and last. For more reviews of our slow reads check out the testimonials page on the website.

In a nutshell: We read around 40 pages a week. Each Monday, I send out a link to the week’s discussion post, packed with reflections, resources, paintings, music, useful videos, and links to further reading. These posts include maps by Matt Brown and archival research from Bea Stitches. These posts are also available as a podcast. And in the comments, you can connect with fellow readers, share your experience and discuss the week’s reading.

Also running next year: a bunch of new slow reads starting with Midnight’s Children in January, and the return of the War and Peace slow read (I’ll post about this one later this month).

‘So now get up.’
   Felled, dazed, silent, he has fallen; knocked full length on the cobbles of the yard. His head turned sideways; his eyes are turned towards the gate, as if someone might arrive to help him out. One blow, properly placed, could kill him now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why read Wolf Hall?

These are astonishing books. Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies both won The Booker Prize. Wolf Hall topped The Guardian’s list of the best 100 books of the 21st Century, so far. In a similar list in The New York Times, Wolf Hall came third.

Hilary Mantel died in 2022. “It was always a pleasure”, wrote Margaret Atwood, “to read such a smart, deft, meticulous, thoughtful writer, and one with such a grasp of the dark and spidery corners of human nature.”¹

“There was something boundless about Hilary Mantel’s imaginative process,” Colm Tóibín wrote, “She saw historical forces operating with immense clarity, but she also could create with real skill and flair the intimate moment, the tiny scene, the sudden shift of light or of power in a relationship.”

“Mantel bristled with intelligence, looked at everything, saw everything,” wrote Anne Enright. “Mantel was that rare writer,” said Kamila Shamsie, “whom you read and think, I have no idea how your brain goes where it goes, and how it comes back to produce the work that it does.”

“Fierce, fabulous and fearless,” wrote Maggie O’Farrell.

Sarah Perry: “What will we do without her?”

I wanted to remember Hilary Mantel by creating this resource and reading community: a slow and careful study of her books.

These are novels for anyone interested in what language can do. It is historical fiction, and so much more. They are a study of character and conscience, power and ambition, memory, myth-making and the birth of the modern world.

“Simon has completely changed my approach to reading both classic and modern literature. I’m someone whose natural instinct is to devour a book in a few sittings, but Simon has helped me to slow down and appreciate those books that really need that extra processing time. His guides are brilliantly researched, and the podcast format suits my accessibility needs wonderfully!” — Emma Jane Grey

Thomas Cromwell, Hans Holbein the Younger, 1533. Source.

2. Who was Thomas Cromwell?

Born around 1485, Cromwell was the son of a brewer-blacksmith from Putney, on the outskirts of London. In a spectacular rags-to-riches story, he rose in the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey to become Henry VIII’s chief minister in the 1530s. On 28 July 1540, he was beheaded for treason.

An architect of the English Reformation, Thomas Cromwell is primarily known for his role in securing the king’s divorce from his first wife, Katherine of Aragon, and the beheadings of Thomas More and Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn.

More was the humanist scholar who gave us the word utopia. He is a Catholic saint and martyr; his life immortalised in the play and film, A Man for All Seasons. Anne Boleyn was the mother of Elizabeth I. Cromwell made her queen and then engineered her downfall on dubious charges of adultery, incest and treason.

Three books, three beheadings. Please read carefully.

• More: Historian Diarmaid Macculloch introduces Thomas Cromwell

3. Do I need to know the history to read Wolf Hall?

No. Background knowledge is useful but not necessary. This is a story about people and place, characters and conflict. You will learn the history as you become immersed in the story. And I will always be here with additional explanatory notes and resources to fill the gaps in your knowledge of the period.

“At the start, I felt a bit daunted by the size and scope of the books, and my very scanty knowledge of Tudor history. However, Simon's weekly emails have really opened these books to me. His commentary is thorough, interesting and accessible. … Simon opens these wonderful books up expertly and his enthusiasm for the subject shines through.” – Tony

4. Is Wolf Hall hard to read?

Hilary Mantel’s trilogy is known for its distinctive voice and style. The books are written in the third person from Thomas Cromwell’s point of view. We watch events unfold in the present tense from a place somewhere behind his mind’s eye.

In that space, our pronouns become a little confused: Thomas Cromwell is sometimes “I,” “We,” “You,” but most often “He.” In a book swarming with characters, we can sometimes be a little unsure of who “he” refers to. On such occasions, Mantel steps in with the clarifying and now notorious, “He, Cromwell.”

As I hope you’ll come to realise, this peculiar narrative device is part of the genius of these books. It can take a few chapters to get used to. But once your ear has adapted to Mantel’s style, you will be flying fast and high, entirely under her spell.

Pro tip: My best recommendation to anyone struggling to get into these books is to grab the audiobooks narrated by Ben Miles. Trust me, this is a game changer! Ben Miles brings Cromwell and Mantel’s prose to life.

“For the past 3 years, these slow reads have been one of the joys of my life … Even if you’ve never done a slow read before and don’t think you can manage it, I encourage you to try one.” — Dr Alexandria Szeman

5. How do I keep track of all the characters?

Wolf Hall has a lot of characters, and at least 14 men called Thomas! There are over 100 named individuals in the trilogy, many of whom have a variety of nicknames and multiple titles.

Each week, I link to plot summaries for each character to refresh your memory. Almost all the characters were real historical people, and in my posts, there will be paintings for you to put faces to those names.

At some point in your reading, Uncle Norfolk will start to feel like the family you wish you never had. Rafe Sadler will be the friend you hope will never let you go. But until then, my posts are here to help!

“There are so many people involved in the story that I keep getting confused, but having bookmarked your summaries of each person on my phone, it is so easy to quickly check who someone is, which is something that I do more than I care to admit.” – Lena Ziroli

6. What is a slow read? And, how does a slow read work?

2026 will be my fourth year running read-alongs of great books.

At the start of each week, I link to the discussion post that accompanies that week’s reading. This post includes my reflections, additional resources, related artwork, and interesting links to continue your exploration of the themes, ideas, footnotes and tangents.

I suggest reading the scheduled section of the book and then coming to the post where you can join other readers for discussion in the comments. These are the same posts (slightly revised) as the 2025 read-along, so you can benefit from all the observations made by last year’s readers.

For the best experience, I recommend reading these posts on the Footnotes & Tangents website; however, you can also access them within the Substack app. All these posts are available as a podcast to download.

The rest is up to you! This is your slow read, and you should make it your own. You can chat with other readers and arrange to meet up, online or offline. You can keep a private journal of reflections or share your thoughts with us in your own posts. Some readers are inspired to create: to draw, paint or knit their way through the book.

Be inspired. There is no right way to read a book.

“Reading Wolf Crawl is like being able to see another dimension of the books. Wolf Crawl’s analyses, callbacks and references, historical context, character list, maps, and actual physical documents help untangle the threads of meaning woven into the books. They are amazing resources, and I strongly recommend them for anyone reading this trilogy.” — jenny

7. Why read slowly?

Slow reading is an opportunity to really savour a book. We miss so much when we race ahead. Slowing down not only allows us to notice more, but it also makes us more patient and mindful readers. It can enliven our curiosity, sending us off on adventures we did not anticipate.

Slow reading is also a great way to get back into the habit of reading. Many of the readers I meet here have rediscovered their love of books through these slow reads. As with all habits, the key is to start small and slow. A few pages a day, maybe 5–20 minutes reading with the support of a friendly community of readers. You may be surprised by the difference it makes.

8. Can I write for Wolf Crawl?

Yes! In 2024, I started Wolf Crawl on my own. Several readers have written supplementary posts, and I link to them in the main posts.

Andrea has written a series of posts on the food of Wolf Hall, Analise Brower has written on headgear, and Nikki has written on a variety of subjects, from kingship and fatherhood to magic and religion.

If you would like to take up a particular thread, just let me know so I can add your posts to the guide.

In 2025, the Wolf Crawl team grew with some fantastic contributions to the main posts:

Archives: Lucie Bea Dutton

Bea Stitches is a stitcher and obsessive Cromweller, with unparalleled knowledge of the books. Each week, she brings us documents from the archive to shed more light on the story. You can read more about Bea and her Stitching Cromwell project on her Substack: The Thread of Her Tale.

Maps: Matt Brown

Matt Brown writes for The Londonist: Time Machine and has created a series of maps that document every place mentioned in the trilogy. Matt has made over 50 maps to help us navigate Cromwell’s world.

Resources: Jesse Haughton-Shaw

Jesse Haughton-Shaw has compiled a library of additional resources for readers to continue exploring the trilogy and Mantel’s work more generally, including reviews, interviews and literary criticism.

Illustrations: Laura Crow

Laura has brought our characters to life with 52 portraits of the key historical figures featured in the books. She’s also designed Wolf Crawl’s beautiful banner and dividers. Check out her website here.

Music: Joe Bates and Sam Cave

When Cromwell is feeling upbeat, he sometimes hears a tune he once heard in Italy: “Scaramella” by Josquin des Prez. For the podcast version of the Wolf Crawl posts, I asked composer Joe Bates to arrange a melancholic interpretation of Cromwell’s jaunty earworm. Joe’s arrangement is performed by guitarist Sam Cave.

“I've gained a weirdly satisfying sense of companionship in knowing that others are reading the same words, at a similar pace, to me.” – Yasmin Chopin

9. When does Wolf Crawl start?

Monday 5 January 2026: We start Wolf Hall (17 weeks)
Monday 4 May 2026: We start Bring Up the Bodies (12 weeks)
Monday 27 July 2026: We start The Mirror and the Light (23 weeks)

“I have appreciated the format of the weekly reading schedule with its routine (that you are allowed to break and jump back into as you please) and the accompanying article, which I like to listen to in podcast format on a Sunday, a real comfort.” — Ella Maxwell

10. How much reading is there each week?

We have 2,007 pages ahead of us.

On average, that is 38 pages a week, or five and a half pages a day. This varies between around 20 and 50 pages. Mantel writes long chapters, so I’ve had to make some editorial decisions about how to divide them up.

“I had attempted to read Wolf Hall myself in the past, with little success because I didn't fully understand what I was reading, this is where the slow read really helped me.” – Selina Allinson

11. Can I read at my own pace?

Of course! The reading schedule is a guide only.

The schedule gives me time to research and write my posts. But don’t let it cramp your style. We’re not at school, and this is not homework.

Find your rhythm. If you want to race ahead or saunter behind, if life gets in the way, or your curiosity gets the better of you, do what works for you. My posts and our discussion will always be here when you need them.

“What I love most is the steady, satisfying rhythm of a slow read. It anchors my days and blends beautifully with the other books I pick up throughout the year. Staying on track with the big read has become such a fun part of my routine, and being part of a lively group keeps me motivated.” — Josh D

12. Can I listen instead of reading?

Yes! There is no reading snobbery here, and these slow reads are designed to be accessible to those with visual impairments or who prefer to listen instead of reading.

If you would like to listen to the audiobook, I strongly recommend the version narrated by Ben Miles. Miles performed Cromwell in the stage adaptations and collaborated with Mantel in the writing of the final book.

All my posts are released as podcasts. You can listen to these on the Footnotes & Tangents website, on the Substack App, or download and listen to them on your favourite podcast app.

“The insights and background that Simon offers enrich every book. There’s always something I hadn’t noticed or didn’t know about. It’s also a really great community, and I love the feeling of reading along with so many others. Totally recommend!” — Linda Quayle

13. How do I join Wolf Crawl?

It’s a two-step process:

1. Subscribe to Footnotes & Tangents, and then

2. Turn on notifications for “2026 Wolf Crawl” in the subscription settings.

If you're unsure how to do this, I have included a tutorial video below.

“You will not regret joining Simon's slow reads in which he will expertly guide you through each book's themes, characters, historical context, arcana, and tiny details you missed. Reading along with a community of curious readers has been a great joy.' Thanks for all your hard work, Simon!” – Tash

14. How much does Wolf Crawl cost?

The first post for each of the three books is free. Here is the first post for Wolf Hall. After that, you’ll need a paid subscription to Footnotes & Tangents of £5/month or £50/year. This includes:

• A weekly post with discussion, resources, artwork, videos and further links

• A friendly, insightful and inclusive discussion space in the comments

• A podcast version of my posts to download and listen to on your favourite app

• Access to all my book guides, including Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, and the 2026 guides: Midnight’s Children, Regeneration, The Inheritors, Treacle Walker, and The Children’s Book.

“Slow reading the Cromwell trilogy with Simon was an extraordinary experience that transformed the simple act of reading into something deeper and more meaningful. His thoughtful insights, steady encouragement, and warm presence created a space where reflection and connection thrived. Simon (and this community) made literature come alive, which only enhanced the amazing reading journey this was.” — gabby

15. Is there a discount for group subscriptions?

Yes. Two or more people can get 20% off an annual subscription here.

16. Can I gift a subscription?

Definitely, you can give someone a monthly or annual subscription here. You can also schedule a gift so they receive it at the perfect time.

17. Is there support for readers on a low income?

Yes! I would like everyone to enjoy slow reading with us, and I don’t think personal circumstances should be a barrier to great literature. Paying subscribers help me support readers with low or no income by offering complimentary subscriptions to those who need them. So if that’s you, please get in touch.

“Simon really nails it with his summaries, analysis and insight, and the chat gives even more food for thought. I found myself anxiously awaiting Simon’s announcement of next year’s reads, like it was Christmas morning! I so highly recommend F&T.” — Noreen G

18. What other books are running next year?

Here is the full lineup for 2026:

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (all year)

• Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, & The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel (all year)

• Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (Jan–Mar)

• Regeneration by Pat Barker (Apr–May)

• The Inheritors by William Golding (June)

• Treacle Walker by Alan Garner (July)

• The Children’s Book by AS Byatt (Sep–Dec)

Read more about these slow reads here. I’ll publish an intro post for War and Peace later this month.

19. What is Substack? How do I use it? Help!

If you are new to Substack, don’t panic!

You don’t need the Substack App to read my posts or participate in the read-along. In fact, I recommend avoiding the app if you are not already familiar with it. It may confuse and complicate an otherwise straightforward experience!

Substack is the platform that runs the Footnotes & Tangents website, delivers the emails and manages subscriptions. Don’t think about it as another social media platform, but the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes things go.

Here is a video tutorial for using the website, managing your subscription settings, and finding all the slow read resources.

20. Who on earth is Simon Haisell anyway?

Good question! I’m still trying to figure that one out. I am a writer living in Newcastle, UK, with a passion for slow, curious and creative reading. If you would like to know more about me and the brief history of Footnotes & Tangents, I recently did an interview for Matthew Long 📚⚓, which you can read here.

I will also be going live on Substack with Sarah Stewart Holland on Wednesday 3 December at 5PM GMT. Sarah joined us for Wolf Crawl this year, and will be hosting her own slow read of Stephen King’s The Stand next year with Laura Tremaine. We will be talking about slow reading and how we organise and host these read-alongs. If you miss it, the recording will be available on the website afterwards.

Update: Watch that conversation with Sarah Stewart Holland

21. Any further questions?

If you have a question that I haven’t answered here, please leave a comment, hit reply, or send me a message on Substack. And if you know someone who might love this slow read, please share this post with them. Thank you!

Thank you

As always, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the enthusiasm and insight everyone brings to these read-alongs. It really is something special, and I couldn’t do it without all of you!

There will be two more posts this year. Later this month, I will re-introduce our annual read-along of War and Peace for newcomers. And there will be a welcome post in December for anyone who would like to say hi and (re)introduce themselves!

Until then, best wishes and adventurous reading,

Simon

1. All author quotes come from “Hilary Mantel remembered: ‘She was the queen of literature’”, The Guardian, Fri 23 Sep 2022.