23 - 29 June 2025 - Broad Chalke, Salisbury
Included
Dame Hilary Mantel redefined historical fiction with her masterful, immersive storytelling in the Wolf Hall trilogy, offering a radically different portrayal of Thomas Cromwell. The trilogy captivated readers and critics alike, winning two Booker Prizes, selling over 5 million copies worldwide, and inspiring both an acclaimed BBC adaptation and a Royal Shakespeare Company stage production. Historian Tracy Borman, Peter Florence and Owen Emmerson explore Mantel’s extraordinary impact on literature and historical storytelling. Why does Wolf Hall still resonate so strongly today? Was her depiction of a Tudor ‘Brexit’ – Henry VIII’s break with Rome – a reflection of modern political tensions? How does Cromwell’s rise from obscurity to power appeal to an age fixated on self-made success? The panel examines the role of historical fiction – does it inspire deeper exploration of the past or risk distorting reality? And has Mantel changed the genre forever, setting a new standard for authenticity in literature and screen adaptations?
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