The whole of the Tudor era is the source of endless fascination to fiction writers. From Philippa Gregory, to C.J Sansom’s Shardlake series, Thomas Cromwell has popped up in just about all of them. However, as in all things, quality varies wildly. So, here, I wish to make a brief guide to Thomas Cromwell in Historic Fiction.
1) “Wolf Hall,” by Hilary Mantel. Fourth Estate, 2009.
This really does go without saying, but Hilary Mantel’s novel about Thomas Cromwell is the absoulte must have of all fictional representations of Cromwell.
It is beautifully, and evocatively written. It is a fresh, and sensitively handled Cromwell. It is a side to him we seldom get to see in Historic Fiction, and it is all the more precious for it.
There is no more praise that I can heap upon this novel, that has not been said a hundred times before. But needless to say, I would recommend “Wolf Hall” most enthusiastically.
Just as an anecdote, more than anything, there is one more thing to point out. Cromwell’s recent biographer, John Schofield, stated that Mantel’s Cromwell was a lot closer, and more accurate, than a lot of “so called” scholarly versions. More of which can be read HERE (apologies, but that is the only link I can find to the article).
"Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel. 4st Estate, 2009. An altogether lovelier Cromwell!
