Guestbook and Message Board
The Rambler has now re-opened this page!
It may seem rather 'quaint' (like Cold Ashby's Telephone box above) for those who use other more 'modern' messaging platforms but, if you explore the previous entries over the years, you will appreciate that many have found it useful and helpful.You can easily leave a reply, comment or message on this page - just click on 'add new comment' below and follow instructions.
You do not need to give your email address or real name if you prefer not to.
It would be good to hear from you!
New Comments Welcome!
Pleased to report that this straightforward messaging facility is now working quickly and efficiently so please continue to contact me here if you wish.
Posted by Ashby Rambler on 05 May 2025
The Rambler has, at last, read Wolf Hall!
'Homo homini lupus’ - Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
The Rambler, whilst acknowledging the Avid Reader’s point that this title is primarily a splendid ‘tease’ (as none of the ‘action’ takes place at the Seymours) , is also intrigued by Mantel giving Cromwell the line ‘ man is wolf to man’ (page 572 in the paperback).
This old, Roman proverb seems particularly apt - Cromwell, traditionally a ruthless predator, is here portrayed also as a family man, a ‘social animal’ if you will, whose ‘pack’ at Austin Friars is both loved and simultaneously useful in his scheming and meteoric self-advancement (from which this ‘extended family’ also profit).
The third person , present tense narrative, though certainly hard work initially , eventually sharpens the reader’s sense of involvement with the protaganist so that , as the Avid Reader observes, she/he is subtly drawn into Cromwell’s world view.
Though obviously a fiction, this novel succeeds in ‘rewriting history’ (or could we claim ‘setting the record straight ‘?) in a most disturbing and entertaining way.
Anyway, the Rambler’s now ready for the sequel!
The Rambler, whilst acknowledging the Avid Reader’s point that this title is primarily a splendid ‘tease’ (as none of the ‘action’ takes place at the Seymours) , is also intrigued by Mantel giving Cromwell the line ‘ man is wolf to man’ (page 572 in the paperback).
This old, Roman proverb seems particularly apt - Cromwell, traditionally a ruthless predator, is here portrayed also as a family man, a ‘social animal’ if you will, whose ‘pack’ at Austin Friars is both loved and simultaneously useful in his scheming and meteoric self-advancement (from which this ‘extended family’ also profit).
The third person , present tense narrative, though certainly hard work initially , eventually sharpens the reader’s sense of involvement with the protaganist so that , as the Avid Reader observes, she/he is subtly drawn into Cromwell’s world view.
Though obviously a fiction, this novel succeeds in ‘rewriting history’ (or could we claim ‘setting the record straight ‘?) in a most disturbing and entertaining way.
Anyway, the Rambler’s now ready for the sequel!
Posted by Ashby Rambler on 02 February 2012
