Inside the O'Briens

Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist and author who has been creating books that illustrate different neurological disorders through novels that feature the effects of the diseases on her characters.  Still Alice, her account of Alzheimer's, was highly acclaimed.  Inside the O'Briens shows the devastating effects of Huntington's Disease (HD) on Joe O'Brien, a tough but very likable Boston cop, and his family.
Although many readers (including me) will begin to read this book as a case study of HD, Genova has a particularly nice ear for dialog and local lingo and she tells an excellent story.  Many parts of the book are funny or heartwarming and some, of course, are heart-rending.
Even if HD holds no special interest for you, one key plot issue (culminating in a gripping conclusion) is the 50-50 chance that a child of an HD patient has of inheriting the disease.  Because HD is late onset, generally appearing only when a person is 40-50, the uncertainty of whether and when you will begin experiencing neurological symptoms is itself unnerving, even before any disease onset - this is powerfully depicted. There has been a genetic test for HD since the 1990's, but many at-risk people choose to live without taking the test.  The all-or-nothing, 50-50 chance seems to throw into sharp contrast both the uncertainty of fate and the impossibility humans seem to have in evaluating how to make decisions in the absence of conclusive information.  Very worthwhile read.

Wolf Hall

The fascinating and captivating first book of the Cromwell Trilogy, by Hilary Mantel.  Cromwell rises from low birth to influence, first as right-hand man of the powerful Cardinal Wolsey, then as advisor to Henry VIII.  Wolf Hall deals with Cromwell's successful efforts to help Henry arrange his marriages in attempts to assure an heir, and in his quest to gain control over the Church.  The latter struggle highlights Cromwell's rivalry and differences with Thomas More.

The character of Cromwell is intriguing:

Thomas Cromwell is now a little over forty years old....It is said he knows by heart the entire New Testament in Latin, and so as a servant of the cardinal is apt - ready with a text if abbots flounder.  He speech is low and rapid, his manner assured; he is at home in a courtroom or waterfront, bishop's palace or inn yard.  He can draft a contract, train a falcon, draw a map, stop a street fight, furnish a home and fix a jury.  He will quote you a nice point in the old authors, from Plato to Plautus and back again.  He knows new poetry and can say it in Italian.  He works all hours, first up and last to bed.  He makes money and he spends it.  He will take a bet on anything.

There are keen observations, as in this description of Anne Boleyn:

Her eyes passed over him on their way to someone who interested her more.  They are black eyes, slightly protuberant, shiny like the beads of an abacus: they are shiny and always in motion, as she makes calculations of her own advantage.

And the book is frequently laugh out loud funny. Here's Wolsey's description of Cromwell:

And he will have to take you as you are, which is rather like one of those square-shaped fighting dogs that low men tow around on ropes. Not that you are without a fitful charm, Tom.

Of interest to us, here's a comment on our (possible) ancestor:

The Londoners say - and he reckons the Londoners know - that it was on Howard's watch that the princes were last seen; though Thomas More thinks it was Constable Brakenbury who handed the keys to the killers.  Brakenbury died at Bosworth; he can't come out of his grave and complain.

In short, highly recommended!  Thanks to Karen Elizabeth for giving me this can't-put-it-down read!

I couldn't put Wolf Hall down, really, so when I reached the end, I immediately replaced it with the second in the intended trilogy, Bring Up the Bodies - the equally absorbing continuation of the story of Thomas Cromwell. Again, fascinating portrayals of power, ambition, lust and intrigue. Hilarious in brief spots, everywhere thoughtful, and sharp insights into human interactions.  Now I'm going to Google to see when the final volume is due!