In Hillary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, the author presented a fascinating portrayal of a historical figure who is easy to vilify: Thomas Cromwell, a self-made man who rises from obscurity in the sixteenth century to be the right hand and confidante of a volatile king. Ms. Mantel has presented Cromwell as a nuanced man, fully developed and human, fallible and thoughtful, and the intimate character study of the man is fascinating. Unfortunately, it is also overshadowed by the machinations of Henry VIII. While this may be true to history, the novel would be a stronger read if the focus remained on Cromwell throughout. Even so, Wolf Hall is an engaging glimpse into the life and mind of an intriguing man who had a hand in shaping history.