Synopsis (from book cover):
Set in the turbulent times of twelfth-century England when civil war, famine, religious strife and battles over royal succession tore lives and families apart, The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of the building of a magnificent cathedral.
Against this richly imagined backdrop, filled with intrigue and treachery, Ken Follett draws the reader irresistibly into a wonderful epic of family drama, violent conflict and unswerving ambition. From humble stonemason to imperious monarch, the dreams, labours and loves of his character come vividly to life. The Pillars of the Earth is, without doubt, a masterpiece and has proved to be one of the most popular books of our time.
Review:
Despite having over 1000 pages it didn’t take me long to read. I was gripped by the characters and the many twists and turns in the story line. I enjoy visiting grand cathedrals and churches so reading about the lives of the people who built them in the context of the cathedral being built was particularly interesting for me. I have a board game of the same name and reading the book has added depth to that too.
what a fascinating read, it seems.
thanks for the wonderful review,
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer
Thank you for telling me about this, Cherie, as I would enjoy reading about the building of a Cathedral. Is it based on a particular one? As you enjoyed this you might like “Hawksmoor” a novel by Peter Ackroyd, telling about the building of the Churches after the Great Fire of London
It is said to be based on the cathedrals of Wells and Salisbury.
The book you mention sounds interesting too.
I read one book by Ken Follett, a thriller type thing, many years ago and didn’t particularly enjoy it. This sounds more appealing.
If historical fiction is your type thing you should enjoy it.
Yes, it’s quite unlike Ken Follett’s other work. I am not really much of a reader of fiction but this is a good one. Just the ticket for you Cherie, just slightly too long for someone like me, who still enjoys picture books! I do read journals and, in a few years, hope to discover some of the classics which I have managed to avoid all my life. At this stage though, I don’t fancy my chances as a scholar of literature and you will never see me writing that novel that everybody seems to want to do, apparently before they die.
You could go for it though, Cherie. I would love to have a read.
I have never read a Ken Follett before. I enjoyed this one because it was about social history and architecture, two things which I am interested in. Being set in the context of a novel seems to bring those to aspects to life (for me).
Over the last year or so I haven’t read much fiction either, I have been reading a lot of non mainstream books on history/science/philosophy/religion (some of them quite heavy)…
I have always struggled with reading the classics, most of the words are too flowery for me and it takes me a long time to get to their meaning. I gave up on most of them a long time ago.
I don’t aspire to write a novel, I don’t think I have a novel in me. But I do like to write short snippets about my journey through life. Maybe I should collate the best of those snippets, but I think it is best for me not to choose and just to allow others to decide for themselves which of my writing/photo snippets they enjoy the most
I read this book about ten years ago, Cherie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was made in a 8-hour-TV series very well worth watching. There is also a sequel:”World Without End” which I will read soon.
Have you read “Sarum”? It’s another fascinating book on the building of a real cathedral in Salisbury. It covers the entire course of English history from the Ice Age to the present day.
I love historical fiction books. They always encourage me to study in depth the periods they send me to. I became an anglophile because of those books. That’s why I’m always so grateful for your marvelous photos of all the places you visit. You complete, with facts and images, the bits of history I have learned through those books.
I should have said that “Sarum” is written by Edward Rutherfurd. He also wrote “London”, a captivating two-thousand-year-look at the city.
Of the thrillers written by Ken Follett, I very much enjoyed “Eye of the Needle”.
I knew there was a TV series, but I have never watched it. On your recommendation I will try and track it down and watch it.
After reading this book ‘The World Without End’ is on my list of ‘To Read’.
I haven’t read Sarum, but that also sounds like really interesting book to read.
I love historical fiction books. They always encourage me to study in depth the periods they send me to.
That is why I enjoy the historical fiction genre. It sets me off on a lot of very interesting non-fiction reading and exploration.
Thank you for your kind words about my photos, I do my best to add a little bit of history along the way. There is always so much more to explore and I feel my brief words don’t do it justice.
My son gave it to me for my birthday, and I read it about 5 years ago. I concur with your review.