Hilary Mantel, Historian | Hacker News Reader

Hilary Mantel, Historian

bostonreview.net

36 pointsdiodorus9 comments

In a different genre, Dorothy Dunnett might lay claim to the same historiography, she meticulously researched real events and documented behaviours of the time, and wound up recruiting historical figures of often quite minor note, not by any means all princes and masters, for her cast.

I am tempted to say Colleen McCullough too. But I think less so.

Mantel was perhaps unique in the genre of being celebrated for literary qualities much more than historical. I don't think the Booker committee cared if she did the research.

Also, like all good historians, other historians do take downs on her portrayal of Cromwell. They're "standing on the toes" people more than Newton's "standing on the shoulder of giants" (which of course predates Newton and I will deservedly be castigated for naming it thus)

I really liked "a place of greater safety" from 1992 which proceeded the Cromwell books by some years. Spine shivering stuff. The film "Danton" came out some years before in 1983 and I remember thinking that the book influenced how I thought about the times when I saw the film, long after release.

I too can recommend A Place of Greater Safety. Really brings the French Revolution to life.

Exactly, and it explains a lot about people like Robespierre who seem to be in every revolution -- they start out being idealists who want to improve things but end up being tyrants who just want to stay in power.

I thought "A Place of Greater Safety" (her first work) was good in part but too long. My favourite book of hers, other thann the Wolf Hall trilogy is "Beyond Black".

I don't recall that they specifically say it in the credits, but this movie about the French Revolution follows Place of Greater Safety quite closely - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098238/ in the sense that the story follows the ties between Camille Desmoulin/Robespierre as schoolkids through to the friendship with Danton etc .. if you like / have read Safety you'll appreciate the movie probably.

I finished reading "The Mirror and the Light" just a few weeks ago. The final scenes leading up to Cromwell's execution was some of the best writing I have ever read.

Cromwell was a fascinating person. There can be very few non-leaders who have had such an impact on history.

I felt myself dying, as I read the last chapters of the book - I didn't want it to end, knowing what was to come. As I myself were giving up the ghost, after living with the Cromwells for three books. She was a remarkable writer. I regret I won't read her future unwritten works but am grateful for her completed ones.

I am about halfway through the first Wolf Hall book and it is very strangely written. There is a non-linear irregularity to the way the sentences are structured. This requires extra effort of the reader but it is rewarding to read because it feels like you're deciphering unreliable narration and piecing that world together.

I don't know the historical context, but I imagine it's even more fun to read with it.

I'm going through the audio book and it is far easier to understand than the printed version. I can only imagine how tough some of the bits are where you suddenly jump from first-person to narrator. I'm not sure if I am enjoying it or battling to get through it!

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