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.