It is clear we like different books and I hope that you find many more wonderful things to read in the future.

I knew the story, too, but the level of research and utter knowledge and insights into human behaviour that are present in Wolf Hall made it unforgettably brilliant for me.

Fact is I agree, style is important, and some people will not tolerate a style which is unfamilar or difficult to follow. Fair enough. Try getting through any of James Ellroy’s 50s-70s trilogy (starting with American Tabloid, then The Cold Six Thousand, then Blood’s a Rover). I can guarantee you in advance that you (whatsisname, the blogger) will hate it, despite the riveting content.

It is ultra-repetitive, but once you persist and focus on the plot and the brilliant insights as the story comes together, it falls to the background. An acquired taste for the person still eager as buggery to learn.

Mantel writes Wolf Hall in a pretty unique voice and once you have the context of that particular voice nailed down (about 100 pages or so?) it is a joyful read, mainly because she is totally consistent with this voice throughout.

And the occasional times where a longer passage became confusing to me was also when I just wasn’t concentrating. Authors do not necessarily write to intellectually spoon feed their every reader with synaptic bite-size pieces. I didn’t mind working a little harder for Wolf Hall at all!

A deserved Man Booker winner, and good on you for the blog, whatsisname – at least you are having a go, mate.