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Summary: Best book I have read this year!
Review: This is definitely a book I will read again and again
Rating:
Summary: Amazing...
Review: I first read the book at the insistance of a friend, thought it was okay, and never thought about it again. Then this summer I was in Bruxelles Airport and I saw the book on the shelf and decided to buy it.What had I been thinking? I had obviously forgotten some of the detail, but the book itself is an absolute masterpeice! The intricate plots, woven together to make the full tapestry... Truly Formidable... If you want a great book to get caught up into...this is it!
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Summary: Fascinsting trip back to medieval Europe
Review: A great historical novel, even more mesmerizing than "The Triumph and the Glory" and " Cold Mountain" each of which knocked me right on my___ they were so good. Which isn't easy to do, I've been a round the block once or twice and read a book or two in my time. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Pillars of the Earth, it is Follett's best ever.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best ever, but still a good read
Review: I have to doubt this is the best book ever, but it was a fully enjoyable read. It is definately not meant for children, and I'm not certain about some of the "historical accuracy," but it is easily one of the best books I've read in the last few years.
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Summary: Best historical novel I've read in 10 years
Review: I've never been a fan of Follett, and picked this book up with some misgivings - anyone these days can try to do an "historical" novel with some quick sex, some fake archaic new-speak, and a TV-movie-miniseries concept of history. While there are some minor flaws in this book, its sweep, characterization, tensions, and love of its subject are simply riveting. I could not put the darned thing down and have lost sleep for a week compulsively page-turning. Follett, unbelievably, seems to have made little splash with this book when it first came out - more shame to the critics who missed a "Gone With the Wind" from a conventional thriller author. His primary strength in the book is his magnificent characters. By the end, Prior Phillip, Aliena, Jack, Richard, "Witch" Ellen, William of Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, and a host of supporting characters are as real as people you know. Their strengths and weaknesses feel as sound as earth. I've just reached the part where the Cathedral is finished, and its magnificent image, built in love, hardship, and devotion, colors the whole book like light through stained glass. And I suspect the ending will be as immensely "right" as the entire rest of the book in its proportion in spinning out complicated human lives and emotions. Follett manages to write of an age of religious devotion without tumbling into the two pits - making fun of medieval Christian faith, or uncritically adopting it. An IMMENSELY satisfying read. I could quibble with what I feel is some gratuitous sex, some slightly contrived plot twists, but that's like complaining about some flotsam in the river as you're going over Niagara. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK if you love wonderful story-spinning and history. Well done, Mr. Follett!
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Summary: My all-time favorite book
Review: I eagerly read Ken Follett's work when he was writing action novels. But historical fiction is still my favorite genre, and Follett has mastered it in his first attempt! Excellent, excellent book, full of interesting characters whose lives are detailed at a personal level, yet entertwine to contribute in subtle ways to the "making of history." One of only about 10 beloved books that has a permanent spot on my bookshelf. Even my husband (who normally hates bestselling fiction) was deeply impressed. If only Mr. Follett had stuck with work such as this, instead of going on to write drivel like "The Third Twin."
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Summary: One of the True Great books of our time!
Review: Ken Follett more than wrote this book, he takes the reader back to a different era, with stunning details and elaborate description of the time and people. The story has an aura that gives it a life of it's own; keeping the reader intrigued. You'll want to read this one again and again!
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Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: This is the absolutely best book I have ever read. I had to read this book for my History of England class in college, and I totally fell in love with it. I laughed, I cried, I got furious, and I was in love with this book. I would recommend it to anyone!
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Summary: Historical Pop for the TV era
Review: Follet is a competent storyteller but he is betrayed by his compulsive pandering to the lowest-common denominator. This has the feel, the texture, the depth and the authenticity of those old 70's TV mini-series, full of romance, betrayal and as predictable as the four seasons. It has some merit, as pop pulp, coarsely written and very much aimed at the middle of the bell curve, but it is disturbing seeing so many people labelling it as "the best book ever". What books are this people reading? I don't mean to be disrespectful, and I am sure their devotion is sincere. What's more, I think that Follet is due some credit for telling a story that uses all the possible archetypes in fiction and manages to pull through a ton of pages, but... Even for popular fiction, this is simple-minded, digested and very much low-aiming stuff. It is puzzling to me that so many readers find this "the book of their lives". It makes me wonder about our lives, what we read and what we aspire to.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting! I could not put it down
Review: I read this book for the first time about 5 years ago, and went through it all in 2 days. I re-read it again and this time went straight through it in one sitting. When I lent it to a friend who travels alot, she told me she was so into the book that she got mad at William, and threw the book across the room.
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