I have titled my review as 'wolf whistle' because this audiobook is a beautiful and utterly absorbing listen and well narrated. This is an historical tale rich in characters, detail, history and locations - it draws you in totally and paints a picture so real that you feel like a hidden observer looking over the shoulder of Thomas Cromwell into the murky, intriguing, 'dog eat dog' politically brutal court of Henry VIII. Cromwell comes across as the english political chess champion of his times, a principled polygot and more importantly a survivour, able to stay alive by utilising his gift of talents amongst the leviathans of this tudor period. The language of the book is rich and wonderfully descriptive. I could not stop listening to it every spare moment I had and wil relisten again soon. I wholly recommend this book to you and rest assured I will be amonst the first in line for Hilary Mantel's follow up which I believe is near to completion.

This is a long, rich complex historical novel and for many people this unabridged audio version will be an excellent way to get to know such a lengthy work. But some caution may be necessary . Simon Slater reads the basic narrative well and gives a gripping portrayal of Thomas Cromwell, the main focus of interest in this account of the reign of Henry VIII to 1535. But although he is clearly aware of the necessity of some differentiation for other important characters, his solutions are not always convincing and fail to do justice to the subtlety and detail of Hilary Mantel's writing :Cardinal Wolsey sounds dimwitted, Thomas More - far from a saintly character in this novel- sounds sly and slimy and the old nobility blustering idiots. In each case there is an element of truth in the portrayal but they come across too often as cardboard cut-outs.
Most readers will also find that they will need to have or to acquire a good knowledge of Early Tudor history to appreciate fully what Hilary Mantel is attempting in this book. There is much fascinating detail and insight to enjoy but in the end I was left feeling the book could profitably have been more tautly focussed and better structured ? it seems to peter out rather than reach a proper closure -is a sequel intended?
Certainly then on the whole a worthwhile audiobook but be prepared for a text that is occasionally self indulgent ? repetitious and over detailed ? and a reading that is enjoyable but unconvincing and inadequate in places.

Loved the book in spite of the reader - his irritating tone and failure to distinguish characters effectively almost made me give up listening. His reading does a great disservice to this fascinating novel.

This is one Audible purchase that I think I would have preferred to read than listen to. The characters are fascinating, but my enjoyment of them and of the story was spoiled by the unnecessarily malevolent or just plain unpleasant tone of many of the 'voices' employed by the narrator. Thomas More sounded particularly evil, and I found it difficult to warm to Cromwell himself because of his harsh voice. A shame, as my previous experiences of your readers has been very positive.

I guess it's a case of high expectations not being met. Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell are some great historic characters and their story should be a fascinating, exciting and fun ride. Unfortunately here it becomes dull, over-long and doesn't seem to ever get to the point. Disappointed.

Extremely disappointed in this book. The story has no rhythm and meanders all over the place. Characters are not well drawn and the narrator makes many appear to be either supremely arrogant or simple. If you can't really do accents then don't try. Constantly felt I was being done a favour having the book read to me. I got to the end just in case I had missed something. Won't buy another book by either the author or the narrator.

Books by CJ Sansom are much better about the period and are better written. As with much of the comment in the press this book was hyped beyond its delivery.

I enjoyed this book, even though I did find the use of 'he' to refer to Cromwell a little grating at times. However, I have to say that the narration really put me off - the lack of difference in voices stopped the dialogue really coming alive for me, as there seem to be only three types - gruff, lordly, and simpering, with almost no difference in accents. Also, the reader's inability to pronounce several simple words, like 'secretary', snags in the ear and stops you from being able to enjoy the story. He sounded half-asleep at some points, which doesn't help the reader feel engaged with the events he is narrating.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book, as Mantel brings the events, perceptions, and characters of the 16th century alive and constructs a wide-ranging narrative well - although I would perhaps recommend reading it in paper form, rather than the audiobook.

Went into this one with an open mind, have been enjoying Tudor history and thought this would be a long...but rewarding listen.
Within about two hours began to find the narrators upper class characterisation (More and others) really grated on me.
Towards the end (I did finish it!) I really began to struggle and honestly felt it petered out.
Learnt a few things but maybe ought to have gone for the shorter version.

Yes, well researched. Yes very well written and brings the historical period to life. But, but ...how DEEEPLY cynical the authors view of human nature or at least the narration! There exists in this work a kind of intellectual pretension or a post hoc analysis of history which posits that people are doomed to die a horrible death and situations are doomed to fail because of either profound naivety, evangelicalism, or aristocratic self-belief on the part of those involved. While I enjoyed the first part, I found this dire view of history and human nature incredibly tiresome as the book wore on. There was not a moment in the book when the characters were allowed to consider for a moment that another reality may be possible. Doom and gloom it is. I felt that I was being lectured at by someone who really needs some anti-depressants. Back to Charles Dickens for awhile.

I really wanted to read Wolf Hall because I enjoy well researched historical fiction about real characters. Unlike many people I was put off by the fact that it won the Booker Prize as I had only read one previously, Hotel du Lac, and found it pointless! I chose to try it as an audio bookrather than ploughing through the printed version, and I'm glad I did as it was brought to life by the narrator. I was dissatisfied by the often extreme detail on some parts of Thomas Cromwell's life and the failure in such a time consuming book to cover all of his life. It felt unfinished, and I doubt if i could be bothered to read/listen to a sequel by the same author. I'm more inclined to look elsewhere for more on Cromwell's later years up to his execution. There are other authors who do the Tudor period much better.