Review: Dead Mountain

4 stars. I have a bit of an obsession with unsolved mysteries, and the incident at Dyatlov Pass has captivated me for years and years and years. While I’m not quite ready to accept an explanation (will we ever really know?), I am ready to say that the theory posited in this captivating, crisply written book is a very convincing one. I really respect this author for pursuing answers in such a respectful way - he never deviates or forgets that at the core of this “incident” is a tragedy absolutely beyond belief.

In 1959, nine young, experienced, enthusiastic hikers ascended into the mountains and never returned. Their bodies, found scattered and buried under snow in the area surrounding their tent, showed signs of being killed by an “immense unknown force” - some had injuries consistent with a car crash; one was missing her tongue; none were properly dressed to be outside the tent. More oddities: the tent itself was cut from the inside, their clothes tested as highly radioactive, one of the men was wearing two wristwatches. In 1959, no one could have solved such an unusual and sad case, and so it has grown into one of the largest and most unsettling unsolved mysteries in Russia and beyond, inspiring a variety of conspiracy theories including weapons testing, orbs, and U.F.O.’s.

This book tells three stories: the story of the hikers (recreated using diaries and knowledge of their route and gained from interviews), the story of the search and subsequent investigation, and the author’s own personal story as he looks for answers. It’s wonderfully written nonfiction - reminded me of David Grann - and never veers into anything to exploitative, confusing, or irrational. A mystery like this, at its core, is heartbreaking on so many levels and, quite simply, unfair. The author never loses sight of this and trudges on admirably and with care.

As I said initially, his conclusion is an extremely convincing one. I enjoyed his breakdown of the various theories and the methodical process of elimination employed to bring me where he wanted. I’m ready to accept that his theory is probably the most plausible one I’ve seen - but if it is what happened, I’d wonder why it hasn’t happened since. Not just there, in that deadly pass, but everywhere - anywhere - there must be a location SOMEWHERE with similar conditions. Regardless, how unfortunate - how fucking UNLUCKY - for those beautiful young people to be where they were when they were. I absolutely cannot imagine the intense fear they experienced. I read the final chapter three times and I have to say, as cheesy at it sounds, it meant something, to sort of feel like I was there with them, in their final moments.

Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book for those interested in the mystery. Do NOT read the Wikipedia article, or conspiracy blogs. This should be considered a much more authoritative source on the subject.

Dead Mountain on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Howl's Moving Castle

5 stars. I am completely unclear as to how this managed to escape my attention earlier in life - but I’m actually quite glad I waited till adulthood to read it. It’s obviously an instant fairy tale classic, full of unconventional adventures, silly characters, fantastic settings, flawed magic, and deep wit, and I’ve fallen in love with the completely unique nature of the story. Especially thanks to recent events, J.K. Rowling can walk off a cliff as far as I’m concerned. This is the real deal. This is wonderfully whimsical and fun.

Howl’s Moving Castle is about a young, demure girl named Sophie who, through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, is cursed by the Witch of the Waste to become an old woman. Embracing her new identity and leaving her old life behind, Sophie finds shelter in a moving castle inhabited by the wizard Howl, his apprentice Michael, and a feisty fire demon named Calcifer. Together this team of misfits fight battles small (the dust and spiders MUST go!) and large (the Witch of the Waste’s curse looms over them all) to reach a happy ending full of surprises. 

Things I loved: Calcifer - hands down, favorite character. I also loved the way things just happen, without rhyme or reason or explanation. There’s a sort of “just go with it” vibe that I found very refreshing. Also: the unexpected twists and turns that had even me guessing. The fact that the heroes and heroines of this story are flawed and imperfect and guaranteed to make many mistakes along the way. The way our ragtag group of friends bicker and banter as a way to show each other love and support. The sheer creativity of it all. Wales Rugby! Flowers! Hats! Drying Power!

Normally this is where I’d list the things I didn’t love, but for once, I have no complaints. Interestingly, the writing style takes some getting used to - it’s a bit … well, genius/unique? That’s the best I can come up with. I can’t wait to read it again, though, because I want to dig for hidden details and clues. I want to carve away the layers and get beyond the first blushes of love and dive deep into what makes this story tick. I know there’s buried treasure within these words. 

This is the type of book best enjoyed with a swish, savor, and swallow. I’d consider it foundational fantasy and a must-read for kids and adults alike. I want to jump into this world and never come back. I’m currently in a cabin with no Wi-Fi, or I’d be doing research on what is sure to be a very passionate fandom right now. I believe I saw the adaptation once many, many years ago and look forward to watching it again, even if it washes away my own interpretations. The soul of this story is what’s important.

Quick note: the edition I read included an interview with the author in the back, and she said that many, many, many young female readers have declared a desire to marry Howl. Um, what. No. Howl is a nightmare. Howl is my WORST nightmare. Howl has a heart of gold but he’s a DIVA KING! Just, no. He’s so extra. (Still, I’m pretty sure he and Sophie would have super hot make-up sex.)

Howl’s Moving Castle on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: A Cosmology of Monsters

4 stars. Absolutely fascinated with the pace of this unusual and horrifying story. I know everyone fetishes the debut novel but I’m gonna say it - this is an impressive one. I really look forward to seeing what Shaun Hamill writes next. This book just smells fresh, you know? 

I don’t want to go into too much detail (because I really enjoyed going in blind), but essentially this novel - told from the perspective of the youngest child - is about a family that gets targeted and stalked by something ... evil. A monster who preys on their suffering and torments their souls, a monster who eventually meets its match in young Noah. A monster who shows Noah more than he could ever dread or dream or think or feel. A monster who shows him that true horror - true evil, oh yes my pretties - lurks within ourselves. Perhaps even within existence itself.

The writing is GREAT. It’s smooth and conversational and quick in ways I haven’t experienced in awhile. The author captures his characters - none of whom are heroes (YASSSS) - so distinctly, so beautifully, I could actually picture them. The PACING! Absolutely awesome. Untraditional - there isn’t predictable rising action or even a climax, just one long, captivating ride that ends exactly the way it should. And the PREMISE! Oh god, so creative and imaginative and I want my own monster ASAP. A lot is asked of the reader but it never feels like a chore, it feels exciting and fun and delicious. And the fact that there are things left unexplained!! So refreshing.

So why 4 stars? I think my rating has more to do with me personally than anything with the book. I actually had a difficult time absorbing the dysfunction of the family and was pretty - sorry - triggered by several things, especially Margaret’s behavior. About a quarter of the way in I was kind of like ... not looking forward to continuing. I’m so glad I did! But yeah. There is some bone-deep exploration of relationships, and trauma, and depression, and some of the pages just weren’t enjoyable to read, for me.

Ugh, I almost want to delete that ^^^ entire paragraph, because I don’t typically shy away from dark stuff. Do NOT look for criticism in the fact that I was personally - sorry - triggered. It’s not criticism, I swear. But I rate my reading experience and not just the book itself. Just read the content warnings and proceed accordingly.

Anyway, THIS IS EXCELLENT LITERATURE. I SAID IT. LITERATURE. This should be STUDIED. This book is AMAZING. I’ll stop shouting eventually but honestly I’m so excited right now - I feel like a door has opened. And I’m running through it, bye.

A Cosmology of Monsters on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Monster of Elendhaven

3 stars. A little bit of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, a little bit of Villains by V.E. Schwab. It's a dark and delicious black forest cake with a bitter burst of cherry. It's very cool and very charming and drags you under before you realize what's happening. The worldbuilding is fun but not overwhelming, the pacing is fast but not speedy. And the word choice - my god, awesome premise, but this book is totally great beyond surface-level. 

Elendhaven is essentially a dying city - dirty, gritty, plagued, surrounded by a poisonous sea. While the leading society men dance and flop and flounder, a thing is born, a monster, a pseudo-golem type creature pulled to do his master's bidding. A master determined to seek revenge with blood and black magic, revenge for a painful past and a fatal future for the city. To go into more detail would be super confusing, so I won't. 

Unfortunately, I had a hard time feeling sucked in. It's outstanding - truly - but for whatever reason (my mood, the date, the weather), I wasn't as captivated as I should've been. As far as new and innovative horror goes, though, you can't do better. I really, really, really hope we see more. I loved Johann, I loved his relationship with Florian, and I loved the sheer creative madness of it all. 

“Monster was the best, his favorite word. The first half was a kiss, the second a hiss.”

The Monster of Elendhaven on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Birds and Other Stories

5 stars. MIND BLOWN. I'm officially convinced that Daphne du Maurier is my soulmate, spirit animal, favorite authoress, celebrity crush, historical hottie, best friend, sister from another mister, lady of my heart. I am determined to read every word she's written. Her words speak to my soul. 

From a technical standpoint, this story collection demonstrates not only her ability to build tension and dread, but also to write from a wide variety of personalities. Her tone varies based on character / narrator - do you know how rare it is to find an author who can properly write distinct voices? I was super impressed particularly by the transition from "The Little Photographer" to "Kiss Me Again, Stranger." The tone went from a sort of languid lusciousness to clipped and short and it worked in every way. 

Here are my thoughts on each:

"The Birds" - reading this felt like careening down a long, steep dip on a roller coaster, picking up speed, going faster and faster except without any sort of visible destination at the bottom. My heart rate went up. SPECTACULAR ending.

"Monte Verita" - reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone, or an old sci-fi film from the 70s, you know, like the ones that MST3K makes fun of? Otherwise, it captures feelings to which I relate immensely - the pure sense of escape when you immerse yourself in nature, the desire to throw everything away and reject society, the dreadful pull of conventional life paths and pursuits. "Often I wish I had the courage to throw my work aside, turn my back on the civilized world and its dubious delights, and go seeking after truth with my two friends. Only convention deterred me, the sense that I was making a successful career for myself, which it would be folly to cut short. The pattern of my life was set. It was too late to change." Also as a whole this story is definitely a metaphor for something. Or, there's a lesson here. I just don't feel like picking at it. 

"The Apple Tree" - clever and funny and scary all at once. What's that you hear? Is it the beating of a hideous heart beneath the floorboards? Nope, just an apple tree to haunt you...

"The Little Photographer" - an absolutely wicked story with a trademark insufferable narrator. Full of lush imagery and delicately gutting quotes like: "A love affair should be a thing of silence, soft, unspoken. No raucous voice, no burst of sudden laughter, but the kind of stealthy curiosity that comes with fear, and when the fear has gone, a brazen confidence. Never the give-and-take between good friends, but passion between strangers..." I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

"Kiss Me Again, Stranger" - fucking brutal. Just when I thought I'd figured it out, she pulled the rug in a way that left me feeling dumbfounded and disturbed.

"The Old Man" - well, wow. Just wow. Perfect ending to a bright and unusual collection. Extremely fun and profoundly well-written.

I think I'm so consistently shocked by du Maurier because it seems to me like her writing should feel dated or old-fashioned or unrelatable - but it is, for me, actually the complete opposite. Her writing feels fresh and new and personally relevant in a way where many modern authors fail to connect. I felt the same after reading Rebecca and I look forward to seeing where she takes me next. 

The Birds and Other Stories on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

4 stars. Positively delightful! A deliciously dark take on the classic Frankenstein with the right amount of themes and layers - but not too many to weigh down the sheer fun of it all. This book is written from the perspective of Elizabeth Frankenstein, Victor's childhood companion and eventual wife, who plays a twisted and fascinating role in his pursuits - and his successes. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is the perfect title for something like this, something unexpected and topsy-turvy and atmospheric. 

This is my first by Kiersten White and I have to say I'm impressed. She peppers the horror and the action with admirable claims about gender, power, relationships, and more. Victor is a classic villain (not a spoiler!) - one we can love to play the game with. He's hateful, of course, but well-written and has a satisfying arc. 

I also loved the tone: this is not historical fiction meant for extensive research or detail, but for thunderstorms and dusty bookstores and ice shacks over lakes. And our heroine wrestles with choice and mistakes and guilt and blindness and ignorance and awareness with astounding maturity and hope. I loved the idea that guilt and blame are distinct and that under certain circumstances, one can technically be blamed but should not feel guilt. 

If I had one complaint, I'd say that the ending - as scrumptious as it was - seemed a bit abrupt! I would've loved to see a bit of a longer conclusion, maybe a post-epilogue epilogue, because I had grown to love the featured characters and wasn't convinced that the end was truly the end (always shoot twice, as they say). Otherwise, an excellent book for reading by the crackling fireplace on a cold, rainy day. 

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Stand

5 stars. This review took me FORVER to write. I've been writing and re-writing and tinkering for days, which is unusual for me, and I'm afraid this is all still a bit of a mess. The Stand is obviously an impressive masterpiece, and I could leave it at that and call it a day. But as with all of Stephen King's work I do feel the itch to think a bit, to process a bit, to consider the layers of his brilliance as well as (well, here it comes) why this one wasn't a TOTAL home run for me. 

The Stand is about good versus evil. It's about the survivors of a flu-like plague that left the world decimated and destroyed. It's about a paranormal phenomena that follows the apocalypse, and how the survivors come together and try to re-build. It's about what threatens their efforts - a creature with ill-intent who thrives in this brave new world. It's about those who stand up to this threat and fight. It's about fate and free will and battles old as time. It's about love and hate and fear and courage and sacrifice and morality and identity and death and hope and all those other Big Things We Wrestle With As Advanced Thinkers On This Planet. 

I know, I know - why would you read about a virus-driven apocalypse during what feels like quite literally a virus-driven apocalypse? I'm not alone, I'm pretty sure a ton of people are turning to this book for comfort or escapism or some sort of masochistic instinct. For me, the reason was quite simple: it became available at the library. And I honestly wasn't "reminded" of real life as much as I expected. This is a fantastical story with supernatural elements, plus, Stephen King's stories never feel too "real" to me - except this one, when I got to the ending. It wasn't the plague that ending up feeling too real. It was the ending. Humans are so fucking doomed, dude. 

Here's what I absolutely loved:

- A collection of astonishingly well-written moments including: when Frannie tells her mother that she's pregnant (and the confrontation that follows - King's use of the parlor space hit me right in the gut), the introduction of Randall Flagg (the entire chapter is breathtaking), the sequence in the Lincoln Tunnel, that fucking ending!! Stuck the landing! With a boom! 

- The narrative criss-crossing. Sometimes I'm bothered by multiple POV's on such an epic scale, but King really nails it here. Sure, the pacing is a bit odd, and sometimes loose threads get tangled up in knots, but I don't feel as though he asks too much of the reader. Plus, everything comes together in the end. 

- Harold and Glen and Tom Cullen and Lloyd and Larry and the way King explores different types of masculinity. Harold especially is a fascinating character - I genuinely couldn't predict his arc until it was over (rather abruptly). King almost always nails the Big Bad, but he truly shines with the sidekick weasels. 

- The way the “heroes” "win” but return to life changed and damaged and unable to settle for good. It’s one of my favorite things about LOTR, which served as a major point of reference for this book, and I think it’s an important part of why I liked this as well.

Here's what bothered me:

- The writing sometimes FEELS old-fashioned. It was originally written in the 70s, so of course it does. And I've never been bothered by that before. But something about the exclamations ("golly!" "gee!" "wowie!") totally jarred me out of the immersion. 

- The length. I’m obsessed with the fact that everyone else seems to be obsessed with how long this book is! I’ve read arguments that say the length is why it works, and I’ve read arguments that say the length is why it doesn’t. Personally, I could’ve gone for some more editing. Especially in the middle, when things drag a bit and we’re extra focused on … like … the paperwork of rebuilding a society from scratch.

- King's portrayal of women. Mother Abigail shows a glimmer of the progressiveness King demonstrates in his other books, but Frannie cries often, as in, in almost every single one of her scenes (I started clocking halfway through and ... yep ... it's every single scene). While showing emotion like that may be realistic for a pregnant woman existing in an apocalyptic world, it drove me CRAZY. She also slips so easily into the compassionate/maternal role that it felt stereotypical and flat. And Nadine - beautiful, sexual... but just.... what was going on there? 

^^ This right here is partly why I've struggled so much with this review - I can barely articulate why I was annoyed. I just was. Maybe I expected King to shake off the sexism of the 70's when he wrote this, or the sexism in his thematic / tonal references (Westerns, Epics, etc.), maybe I expected more from him. Maybe I expected a greater spectrum of heroes, of personalities. For whatever reason I just found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit. 

Despite that weird quibble, this is obviously a masterpiece. There's something incredibly moving about the thought of doing what's right No Matter What. Even if what's right is difficult - I mean difficult right down through your bones. Even if what's right is likely impossible. But I think the standout theme for me is the fact that we all must reconcile with the consequences of our choices. We must own them and pay for them and live with them - or die by them. And that's about as epic as it gets, eh? 

The Stand on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Mirror and the Light (Thomas Cromwell Trilogy #3)

5 stars. Although I enjoyed this the least out of all three, I can't give it anything less. It is an impressive conclusion to an impressive colossus of historical fiction that should be widely-read and widely-studied for years to come. Hilary Mantel has taken me on what feels like an actual ... ugh, so cheesy ... but an actual journey. The final few sentences are even more breathtaking and heartbreaking than I expected.

We return smoothly back through the door into England almost immediately after we left. Anne Boleyn has been executed and Henry VIII - more volatile every day - needs a new bride. Talented Thomas Cromwell has risen above his common blood to serve as a noble and maintain stability in the English realm, but despite successes and titles and financial security, his job is not an easy one. It is, in fact, a dangerous one. 

Mantel takes her time. She travels, she leans, she slips and slides, she spirals and circles the drain slowly, slowly, slowly. She spells out the story with her ever-challenging, ever-beautiful prose and serves as a steadfast, if not long-winded, guide. Thomas Cromwell's character is painted with sympathy and care - the question of accuracy isn't even on the table. It's just compelling.

I've written about this in my reviews of the first two books, but I love what she does with images. A star, a leopard, a memory, a jewel ... she breathes life into these things, placing them as signposts or symbols throughout the narrative. The level of detail (and the scope of the political intrigues) would be intimidating, if not for the clarity she offers. I never felt as though she asked too much, even with her nicknames and varying names/titles and flashbacks. That's just life: a confusing, very complicated, sad, every man for himself roller coaster ride with the slight, slippery promise of a satisfying conclusion.

I wish there was more.

The Mirror and the Light on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Bring Up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell Trilogy #2)

"But remember this above all: defeat your instinct. Your love of glory must conquer your will to survive; or why fight at all? Why not be a smith, a brewer, a wool merchant? Why are you in the contest, if not to win, and if not to win, then to die?"

5 stars. Stunning. A beautiful, driven sequel to Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies picks up where we left off: with England in need of an heir. Anne Boleyn has yet to provide, and Thomas Cromwell is there to juggle the rest. Adept as ever, he observes his king grow tired of his new bride and schemes for what's next. 

Compared to Wolf Hall, there's more movement - more forward momentum. The king's Great Matter took almost a decade, but Cromwell is more confident now, more ruthless, more capable. Things move quickly. And truly, the suspense is breathtaking; considering we all know the end to the story. The legal twists and turns are gorgeous and intense.

I felt the portrayal of Anne Boleyn was a bit flat in the first book, but here she is developed and concrete. A worthy adversary for Cromwell and I'm sad to see her go. This version does paint the Boleyns in an incredibly unflattering light, and I do wonder... I guess we'll never know. History, as always, is written by the winners.

I expected Henry VIII to come across as more childish in this book, past his prime and desperate for his legacy intact. For whatever it's worth, I think Henry believed in his good intentions - always. He was not self-aware enough to see the irony in accusing Anne of bewitching him into a marriage with curses and spells. Sigh. Monarchy. "Chosen by God." Causes problems. SMH.

The prose here is so weird and crazy and wonderful. I again felt like I was there, and came to regard the characters not only as real, but as people I actually know. I wouldn't say I rooted for them, necessarily, but seeing so intimately their intentions and motives and ambitions made me feel for them. I don't know how Mantel manages such unique writing with such diverse, distinguished characters. It's deeply impressive, I practically bask in the afterglow of her writing. 

Can't wait to find out what happens! He lives... right?!

Bring Up the Bodies on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell Trilogy #1)

5 stars. I feel eaten alive. Wolf Hall is the first in a trilogy about Thomas Cromwell: aide to the king of England during a time of great crisis. England needs an heir. The government needs stability. The Church needs power, and loyalty. The country needs allies, and money. And Henry VIII wants Anne Boleyn. 

Cromwell navigates through it all - the fall of his Cardinal, the squabbling nobles, a mercurial king, two queens - using his sharp mind and deep intellect. It is a spectacular work of historical fiction that's focused not on the sun, but the space around the sun - the objects and empty spaces orbiting and swirling around what appears to be the brightest thing in the sky. What it gives, what it takes, what it feeds and what it burns. 

I've never fallen in love with historical fiction the way I have with this. Every time I picked it up I felt like I was melting into the story, falling down a well, and as cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I was there. It's rich with detail - Mantel knows her shit - but she includes the fun stuff too; the scandalous jokes, the twists and turns, the melodrama, the innuendos, the sex. This is NOT The Other Boleyn Girl, though I respect Gregory's writing a lot too.

I've read a lot ABOUT this book, because it fascinated me so much and I wanted to skirt on the fringes of this world a bit longer. I noticed a couple of common themes and observations among readers, and I'd love a chance to address them and push back a bit. 

First, there seems to be a frequent observation that Mantel writes Thomas Cromwell as cold, calculating, without emotion, ruthless, conniving, manipulative, greedy, power-hungry, and otherwise just generally villainous. While I think it's true that Cromwell was an ambitious and greedy man with a ruthless streak, he used his intellect in ways that were ultimately astonishing. He was complicated, and Mantel writes him as such. I've seen readers question his motives, call him a psychopath, yell at him for "getting over" the loss of his family so quickly, and declare his demise as justified and well-deserved. 

It's an interesting interpretation - to cast him in such a bad light - but I would argue that those readers may have been misled by the dryness of Mantel's prose and her approach to the character. It's not that Cromwell had no emotions, she just didn't write about them, or at least not in the way we're used to.

(I should note that I'm not a fan of Cromwell, I don't sympathize with him and I love that Mantel made him grow to be so arrogant, especially toward the end.)

Second, many readers complain that the prose is boring, dense, challenging, difficult, and the pronoun usage is confusing. Yes - absolutely. The pronoun usage tripped me up a whole bunch. But I didn't mind the density or intensity of the writing, in fact, I rather enjoyed having to sing for my supper. To work so hard was rewarding for my brain. So that's a preference thing, or an English Lit major thing, I don't mind going back to re-read passages, but I wish readers wouldn't complain in such an accusatory way. I was blown away by what Mantel was able to do with certain images and motifs - comparing a face to a thumbnail, what people wear under their clothes, a dog pulling at its own collar...

The thing is, this book is so immersive, so compelling, so detailed and strong in its depiction of a fragile society balancing on the edge of a knife, it felt ... well, familiar. Context is everything. I know this story. We all know this story. And that helps, with the names and the faces and the messy nature of the story. But something about this version of it, or the timing of my reading experience ... I recognize echoes of what happened back then today. Not just the threat of illness or plague, but the sense that the walls are always just on the verge of caving in and we can't really trust anyone but ourselves. The moral struggles - the push and pull of desire and ambition and obligation. And more obviously, the soul-crushing terror of watching a leader fail and a country break. Transfer of power comes to mind...

It's like this: when I think of politics under Henry VIII, I think yeesh, messy. Thank god politics has ... *sits back* ... nope, nevermind, still messy. 

I wonder why we tend to look back on our ancestors and think we are superior - think of them as primitive, dumb, petty; their mistakes and motives and beliefs far removed from us. On the contrary, I think we are still primitive, dumb, petty. Our technology is advanced, we’ve conquered the planet, and we are able to answer so many questions with science, but we still squabble, we still kill each other uselessly, and we are, as always, just as we were then, ego-driven, shallow, motivated by power and greed and questionable beliefs, following distractible leaders surrounded by sycophants. 

When I read a book like this I wonder, should humanity survive the current crisis, what will be written about these times? Who will they write about? Will they look back with contempt and disdain at our misguided communities and think, thank god we’re better? Or will they, like myself, look back and think, we haven’t changed a bit?

"Beneath every history, another history."

Thomas Cromwell has entered the chat.

Wolf Hall on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads