I Am Failing…
Thursday, 1 October 2009
… To properly engage with ‘Wolf Hall’. Which puts my foolhardy ambition, sprouted last Saturday, my Man Booker Prize Rally – reading the shortlist of six by the 6th October… now a mere five days away, with three and a half books to go, also at risk of failure. ‘Wolf Hall’ is historical fiction, the story of Thomas Cromwell, minister in Henry VIII’s reign. And I care about Tom, beaten by his father, confessed murderer (in self-defence), husband of the hilarious Liz. But it’s not biting me. Beautifully written, in the present tense, many characters plotting and devising their way to the top, ruthlessly expunging the competition… I don’t feel proud of myself for wanting to give up on it. But, I think, if I have any chance of getting to the end of my race I have to put this in the proverbial bottom drawer, and if I have managed the remaining three in the next few days, then I’ll pick it up again. In the meantime, I’m going to go to a signing at Waterstone’s in Chichester by Kate Mosse for her new illustrated novella.
No. 1 — October 2nd, 2009 at 08:03
A novelist friend had a similar experience with Wolf Hall, Helen. She described herself as “all Tudored out”, ready to scream if another archbishop or man in tights appeared on the page: she abandoned it unfinished. I rather like the Tudor period but even I am becoming surfeited. No doubt I’ll read Wolf Hall in the end but I’m in no hurry…
No. 2 — October 2nd, 2009 at 18:11
Phew! Thanks Tim. It’s always good to know one is not alone! Am getting on much better with ‘Summertime’.