Rating: 
Summary: epic page-turner
Review: I am a long term Ken Follett fan, in fact he is one of the few fictional authors I am loyal to. But this book is above and beyond anything he has done. He uses the same masterful storytelling as other books. I felt as though the charactors were people I knew well. I could not put this book down. It sounds like an oxymoron; but it truly is an epic page-turner. It is a great read!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent reading but painstaking
Review: One reviewer here on Amazon was right on the money when he said that reading a novel by K. Follet instantly raises your IQ by a couple of points. The Pillars of the Earth has been my first encounter with Follet's work, and I was for the most part very impressed with his skillful history set in the Dark Ages of the Human kind.
Rating:
Summary: Creme de la creme for medieval historical fiction
Review: A good read is a basic description of Pillars of the Earth. For me it is the best historical fiction for medieval times that I have read. Combines historical authenticity with entertaining plot to make it a "can't put down"
Rating:
Summary: The Best Novel I've Ever Read
Review: "The Pillars of the Earth" is a gigantic novel, not just in number of pages, but in the influence it will have on you. The pictures and people are so richly described, that I could draw them. This is not Follet's usual action adventure novel. Unlike the category Follet is usally put in, there are no superheroes, and the good guys win, lose and draw. Very realistic.
It's historical setting in Medieval England is weaved throughout the story, not just set at the beginning and forgotten. The cultural, physical, social and religious setting is an integral part of the story. The setting is as much a part of the story as the people. Follet never forgets it.
Unlike many historical novels, this is not about kings and queens, it's about ordinary people. Right from the start, you realize the value of small things, like the family's pig.
The book is totally absorbing and involves the reader emotionally. (There's an unforgettable part in the middle which made me, a guy, put the book down and gulp hard.) It's emotional without being sappy; in fact, it is better described as hard.
If you are willing to have a novel take over your life for a few hours a day, you cannot do better. Just don't forget to sleep and eat occasionally.
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly enthralling
Review: I consider myself a pretty avid reader, and this is one of the best books (if not _the_ best book) I have ever read. 'Pillars' is a classic tale of good vs. evil, and it's characters come alive amongst the pages as you read -- it is epicly woven and told.
Rating:
Summary: You remember this book!!
Review: This sweeping novel centers on the building of a 12 century Gothic Cathedral and the people whose lives it touches. It is about the forces of the English church versus the English monarchy. The Characters are fictional and factual, from a fictitious master builder and his family to the portrayal of the historical murder of Thomas Beckett. Oddly, you do not feel that it is about religion or the church, per se. It is rather about four central, wonderfully developed characters: the dedicated master builder and his family, the utterly devout and determined cathedral Prior and his monks, a powerful, neurotic, brutal earl, and a courageous young woman who was born nobility, but with the turn of events is left penniless. Oh, and there is the eccentric woman who lives in the forest. Their lives intertwine amidst the backdrop of the long term building of a majestic cathedral. Although a cliché', this novel is ultimately about good overcoming evil. It is long, and you miss each character when it is over. This book is easily one of the most compelling novels I have ever read- you remember this book!!
Rating:
Summary: A Beyond Brilliant Read
Review: I read this book about 12 years ago and remembered how wonderful it was. When my husband and I took a two week tour of Italy, I insisted he take the book with him to read. He said it was the best suggestion..while we traveled from Rome to Florence to Venice to Assisi on our tour, the novel truly came to life. We didn't want our trip to end, and my husband didn't want the book to end either. The medieval characters are perfectly captured and brought to life through their triumphs and tribulations. This is an historical novel of vast proportions. An absolute must read!
Rating:
Summary: Unable to put it down!
Review: I am so glad to see that folks are still reading this book. I have been a fan of Follett for years and read Pillars when it first was published. I was quite surprised that he could change genres so easily and I beleive this book was his best. To this day, I remember how difficult it was to close the book and go to sleep. If I even looked at the first line of a new chapter it was all over! It became, and has remained, one of my favorite books of all time. I have always hoped he would write a similar one, but not yet. I am always recommending it to others. Enjoy -- every page!
Rating:
Summary: A GRAND novel you will never forget.
Review: This is one of the few books I have read where I remembered the main characters' names. That is not hard considering how well each character is developed. This book is the most sweeping and memorable novel I have ever read. Here is a basic tale between good and evil told at a level most authors only dream of achieving. The story takes place in the in 12th century England-a time of destitution, squalor and petty rivalries for power. The reader is grabed by the neck on the first page and held until the last. I would recommend that everyone read this book for the history lesson provided despite the book being historical fiction. I have told dozens of people to read this book and all who have had the same reaction: Rapture. You must read this one.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: this is a great work of historical fiction. it shows the drives and ambitions of several families and how they intersect. the book kept my attention from the first word.
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