| |  | The Pillars of the Earth |  | | | | | | | | | | Rating:  - Have to be interested in history
What keeps you going through this book are the historical details, the remarks about classic architecture. If that sound like you, then this is your book because all the rest--the characters etc.--are solid and professional. But, if you're not a history addict, this might run a bit long.
Rating: - A very good read, but not without flaws
I debated over reading this book for a few months. The building of a cathedral did not sound too terribly compelling to me, but I couldn't resist. Ken Follett created characters so real, one almost forgets which characters are fictional and which are actual historical figures.
This book is 973 pages long. The author truly took the time to develop each and every character before jumping full-scale into the story. Each group of characters are introduced separately: Tom, Agnes, Alfred and Martha. Ellen and Jack.Then we have Prior Philip, Frances, Peter, and Waleran Bigod. Earl Bartholomew, Aliena, Richard, and William Hamleigh. As the story unfolds, eventually all the stories of these great characters intertwine - the result - one unforgettable novel!
Unfortunately, this book had a few historical inaccurcies. I will discuss the most obvious one. Aliena's father, Earl Bartholomew was accused of treason against King Stephen. In reality, his son would not have been allowed to remain behind at Shiring Castle. He either would have been executed along with his father, or he would have been thrown in the tower or held under house arrest for the rest of his days.
As for Aliena, she would have been forced into a nunnery or kept as a ward of the king. Richard and Aliena should not have been living at Shiring Castle after their father was arrested. The children of disinherited nobles posed a threat to medieval monarchs, so the king always took steps to make sure they would not find themselves in a position to continue their father's work.
I think Mr Follett spent too much time researching how to build a cathedral (sometimes the details are over two pages long) and not enough time researching 12th century culture. I didn't really feel as if I was reading a historical novel. Pillars felt too comptemporary for a novel set in the 12th century.
The book also contains plenty of explicit rape scenes (mothers pimping their teenage daughters for some extra money), murders of women and children, and animal cruelty. These were all facts of life in this time period. I'm hardly going to hold it against the author. I really enjoyed this book...flaws and all.If you are looking for a book to get lost in, look no further than The Pillars of the Earth. World Without End is definitely on my list of books to read.
Rating: - Pillars of the Earth
I wish I had bought a hard copy and large print. It is a wonderful story.The giant paper back I have is uncomfortable to hold.you lnow it has over 1000 pages.
Maybe a story that long would be easier to handle split into 3 or four books.
A youngster would love this edition...........It is light print.
I read in bed......Hard to get situated. Oh........... I took that Oprah thing off right away.I do not watch telly. I do not like her. I thought well before buying.........just because her name was on it.That is like she picked it out for me to read. Yuk!
Rating:  - Happily ever after
Ken Follette's novel is not without merit, but face it folks this a big storybook for adults. There are some stirring moments but this a "black and white" book with no gray areas. The good characters are good the bad characters are bad. As far as historical significance this is hardly a blueprint for the middle ages but does offer some insight to Christianity's hold economicaly and culturally on Europe and more specifically Great Britan. It's great fodder for a screenplay, Star Wars set in churches.
Rating:  - My favorite book of all time
I read this book with no expectations. I was initially intimidated by the size of it, but after a few months of putting off picking it up, I sat down with the first chapter.
I thought it would be a struggle to begin, but it was a smooth transition and once I was into the story, I never wanted to leave. I got anxious as I closed in on the ending of the book, as I had become in love with the characters and I wanted them to remain part of my life.
It is a fantastic and rich storyline. I am looking forward to forgetting parts of the story so that I may return to it again for all the emotions and excitement it offers. I highly recommend this book, I hold onto my copy for another day and I buy more copies for gifts every chance I get.
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