Hey all,
I'm currently having a bit of a reading renaissance in my life and I'm looking to get into some historical fiction having never really read the genre before. An epic series would be great and so I'm currently choosing between starting Wolf Hall or Pillars of the Earth.
I'm just wondering which of these two people would most recommend for a newcomer?
If it helps at all some of my previous favourite books are:
– The Remains of the Day
– A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones series)
– LotR
– Rebecca
– Kafka on the Shore
– Norwegian Wood
– Portrait of Dorian Grey
– 1984
– The Secret History
– Never Let Me Go
– The Stand
I'm sure that both series are nothing really like much of the above. But I really enjoyed the political intrigue of ASOIAF if that counts for anything, and I generally enjoy books with a feeling of mounting tension or suspense (original I know! :))
Any insight or advice would be really appreciative. Also, when I'm reading I tend to both read the physical book and download the audiobook to listen to whilst driving or walking the dog, so if either of them has a brilliant narrator performance that would be a really big plus!
Thank you in advance!
by coppersocks
2 Comments
wolf hall might be better fit for you since you loved asoiaf – the political scheming in henry viii’s court is really intense and cromwell is such fascinating character to follow. mantel’s writing style takes bit getting used to but once you’re in, it’s incredible
pillars is great too but it’s more straightforward epic storytelling, while wolf hall has that psychological depth you seem to enjoy based on your list. also ben miles narrates the wolf hall audiobooks and he’s absolutely brilliant at it
Ooooh. Both such great books.
Wolf Hall has more beautiful writing and prose. Pillars of the Earth is quite addictive.
They both feature compelling stories and the kind of politicking I think would appeal to you.
Wolf Hall is a lot shorter.
I would say Wolf Hall is more sophisticated: it’s psychologically dense and stylistically daring.
Pillars of the Earth is more plainly written and is a page-turning saga with more obvious heroes and villains.
You should really read them both, but where to start depends on your mood and preferences.