Rating: 
Summary: re-read, re-read and re-read
Review: I read this book a couple of years ago, and have never gotten over it. It is time to read it again. I will probably cry again when there are no more pages to read. If only he would write a sequel. I keep looking!
Rating: 
Summary: Great book and reader, but accelerated recording detracts
Review: The book is a wonderful tale of the 13th century with many ups, downs, and twists. The reader does an excellent job, but his efforts are thwarted by the publisher who has sped up the recording to save on the number of tapes. Often this causes the listener to have to replay sections that just went by too quickly. If not for the accelerated recording, I would have rated this a 10.
Rating:
Summary: Great but for one exception . . .
Review: I loved ALMOST every moment of this book. I felt like I was actually beside the characters. This book is great in the description of battle and emotion. Though there was one drawback; unrealistic sexual situations. Granted only one or two were appropriate but the rest were needless, and took away from the impact of the book, otherwise I would have given it a 10.
Rating:
Summary: A frightening tale of emotional frustration and great hope
Review: Ken Follet is simply brilliant! He holds the story with a vision of hope when all esle seems lost. The idea of the cathedral sails through the story and at once serves as an analogous reflection of the lives of the weak people as it struggles to rise from its foundation and as they struggle to survive in the political turmoil of England at the time. We see that he uses the theme of religion and witch craft in which they both work together for a common good and also that the church is used as a weapon against the weak. Atrue great read
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Summary: What an exciting and unique plot!
Review: Via cunning scandals, stories of love, and bold acts of vengeance, the Pillars of the Earth captures the most rambunctious sides of the Middle Ages. Reading it, one could easily come to feel intense emotion spurred by some of the characters in it. Despite the impressive size of the book, it keeps the reader wanting more of the tales woven into one massive master plot. ¶ Even though the beginning of the book leads one to believe it is about a man named Tom Builder, it soon turns into a lengthy series of plot developments and twists. The one thing that remains throughout the entire story is the desire to construct a magnificent cathedral that Tom had begun to build near the beginning of the book. Every character ends up having something to do with the great structure, making it a very symbolic element in the novel. Also, that means that the seventy-five years of plot covered includes a great deal of character-building (a fair trade-off). Don't fret, though. Everything seems to work together perfectly in spite of all the happenings that occur in the book. ¶ All in all, a satisfaction of having read a terrific book is what happens after the final page. The ending is conclusive, the plot is tremendously developed, and the characters are (sometimes unfortunately!) very believable. This novel is most certainly one of the most thought-provoking and unique ones that I have read. I guarantee that anyone who reads the Pillars of the Earth will at least respect its thoroughness.
Rating:
Summary: greatest book ever!
Review: Please - Please write more of this type of book- I have been waiting and watching for another one ever since I read this one-
Rating:
Summary: YOU'LL SIMPLY NEVER GET OVER IT!!!
Review: I was already a Ken Follet fan before I got to read this book. Funny thing is, I didn't even get to know the book until I found it in one of those decrepit store of used books. You may be ocerwhelmed by the size of it but as soon as you start the first page, you will be much more overwhelmed by the fine characterizations, the detailed backdrop descriptions and the smooth flow of the story. I practically read it like a hot knife through butter. Here's an advice: let your other friends read this and you'll spend hours and hours discussing and marvelling at the book. Now here's a warning: the moment you are unto the last few pages, you'll feel sad about ending the book and missing the characters you have come to love. But then again, you can re-read it and get enthralled. Again and agin.
Rating:
Summary: top five all time
Review: this is one of those few books where youre actually depressed when there isnt another page to turn
Rating:
Summary: 13 Years Old and Loves It!!!
Review: I first read this book when I was 12. My friends thought it was funny that a C avarage student carrying around a book with over 900 pages, when my Honor Roll friend could not even get to chapter 3. I love this book. It is by far my favorite book I have ever read. I think one of the biggest reasons why I love this book so much is because is has tons of very strong women in it. I am surrounded by alot of strong women and I could really relate with the book. The beginning of the book sucks you right in to the whole book. And if you are a yonger reader, I still suggest you read it, even if it takes you a while. Some of my moms friends siad it had too much adut content. But she siad that if I read the book I earned the right to read those parts. I love the book and plan to read it again soon.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely great read; one of my 10 best.
Review: I normally don't feel passionate enough about any one thing to set aside some time and write a review, but with "The Pillars of the Earth," I decided to state my thoughts.
Being familiar with and a fan of other books by Ken Follett, I originally bought and read this book several years ago. I was absolutely knocked out and captivated by the story and read it in two settings.
Part of what makes a story great to me is when I truly get wrapped up in its characters and begin to associate and have feelings for them, good or bad. In a sense, they come to life while I'm reading the story. This was especially true for "The Pillars of the Earth," having been totally entranced by the end of the first chapter. I especially come to care for Tom and his family, and later, for Jack and his mother. In fact, when one of the major characters dies midway through the story (I won't say who and spoil part of the story), I was shocked and had to lay the book down for several minutes.
I first read this book while living in Germany, and although I had toured much of Europe's cathedral before reading the book, the story sparked new interest in the history and design of these massive and beautiful buildings. Call it an added benefit. I had even brought the book with me on some visits to read then better understand Mr. Follett's descriptions.
As another note on this and Mr. Follett's other books, even though I am male (if that should make any difference), I respect his use of a strong female character playing a major role in his stories.
My greatest recommendation to a book is when I actively suggest it to friends (and strangers, in some cases) as a must read. Not only have I suggested this book many times over, I've also given away several copies of it, then find myself buying it again to enjoy once more.
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