Rating: 
Summary: The High Bar of Historical Fiction
Review: Don't read the synopsis on the back of this book to gauge your interest in this story. If you have a brain, a soul, a heart and an imagination, you'll love this book. I say love only because that's the strongest emotion I can come up with but it still falls short. It is, I dare say, a PERFECT novel. And while that is truly rare, it is only half of the enjoyment of Pillars Of The Earth. The other half comes from knowing you are witnessing an author's ultimate work of passion executed in brilliant fashion. There is obvious research, love and absolute dedication on these pages. You get the feeling that this is one of those books that didn't even need to be published or ever read for the author to know, really know, that he had not only realized his dream, but created a work of art that no time worn, paint covered canvas can ever compete with. Stunning.
Rating:
Summary: Almost a thousand pages of absorbing reading
Review: This is a rich and ambitious novel by an author who's already one of the best in the business at writing novels of suspense and international intrigue. This book shows that Follett can produce excellent work on a broader canvas as well.The continuous thread running through the book is the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England. But Follett just uses that story as sort of a "home base" for a vivid portrayal of 12th century England. That period was one of the bloodiest in the history of England, as King Stephen tried to hold on to power against constantly shifting alliances of opponents. The main characters get caught up in the conflicts, if only peripherally, and usually unwillingly. The book ends with the famous conflict between Henry, Stephen's successor, and Archbishop Thomas Becket. But that is a comparatively short part of the book, and seems almost an afterthought. The book is long (some 980 pages in paperback), with a large cast of characters. I was struck, however, by how few of the characters were truly admirable according to 21st-century morality. I suppose many readers found Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge, to be an admirable character. But I regarded him as often self-righteously dictatorial. The only character that could be admired without reservation was Tom Builder, the original master builder and designer of the cathedral. But he dies midway through the book. There is one primary villain, William of Hamleigh, who is as vicious as any character I have encountered in a novel. But I was startled at how freely almost everyone in that place and time was willing to kill, steal, lie, and betray in order to achieve selfish or political ends. Most of these people quite seriously believed in religion and the damnation of sinners, but they also believed that all their sins could be forgiven if they could find a priest who was lenient or corrupt enough to grant them absolution. Responsibility to one's own conscience didn't seem to be a factor at all. But perhaps I dwell too long on that one aspect of the book. The fact is that Follett does a brilliant job of portraying the culture, the architecture and technology, and the politics of 12th-century England. We learn about the lives of rural peasants and city-dwellers, the clergy and the nobility. We learn what they ate, where they lived, what they wore, and how they fought. And it's all fascinating. This one should be on your reading list.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: One of the best books that I heve ever had the pleasure of reading. Ken Follett has delivered a "you are there" epic sweeping tale. Just read this.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: One of the best books I've ever read. A real page turner. An excellent book to get lost in.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story
Review: Although I was intimidated by the number of pages, I've read this book's Spanish translation in much less time than many others with only 200 pages! The story draws you in; it is well connected and interesting. It is like a serious version of a soap opera placed in medieval times in England, which teaches you many things of that place and time. 100% recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: I have never read another book quite like this one. The story draws you in and never lets go. The atmosphere of mideval Europe depicted feels so authentic and powerful that you feel that you are living in that world. Living alongside the powerful characters that spawned from Follet's imagination, your emotions run along side theirs in times of pain and sorrow, to times of happiness and victorious jubilation. I have read this book 3 times and the first time I did not want it to end. My paperback has been borrowed by 7 other friends, whom also loved this book. To say I recommend this book would be an understatment.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: The book (when you first pick it up) seems big, and long. But trust me, read it, and you'll find that you wish it was 2000 pages and not just 1000 pages. I read a lot of his books, and was almost sure that the book "A Dangerous Fortune" that Ken Follet wrote was going to be the best book i've ever read (and i thought it would be that way for a long time) Until I read this book. (it was the very next book i read). This book goes through the entire life time of about 6 to 10 major characters, and has so many interesting plots interwoven that you never know what the next page will question or answer... In an amazing period of history. It truly allows you to understand life back then (as seen by Follet) and lets you explore the thought that things may actually have been the way he writes. I'll give my stars like this: 1 star: Character development was amazing. You always knew who that person was (without him saying the name) just by the the characters characteristics. 1 star: I can't say the word plot without adding an (s) at the end... This story has so many PLOTS, some that at first, just seem like the story telling of an author who "over details" his stories, but soon you find that its not just details, but a new plot that will tie up at some point (not necessarily at the end). 1 star: totaly interesting. This reminds me of Shakespeare. How to make a book (story/play) that everyone loves. The human condition is expressed in so many ways, that everyone has fun reading this. There are awsome wars, major trickery, lots of love, friendship and deceipt. There is sadness, happiness, frustration that we can all relate to. This book simply put: lacks nothing. 1 star: Not keeping with the traditional... "Antagonist wins first, Hero wins last!" theme. This truly spins so many loops you don't know where they start or end. 1 star: Ending. The ending of this book has to be one of the best story endings i've ever heard of. When you think that he's gonna ease you down lightly after the dust has settled, the last page is a deuzy.. (don't read it t'll the end). 5 stars... If you don't mind a few details read on: In this story the following happens: 1: A baby boy is left to die in the forest only to become the heir to the bishops throne.
2: A Saint is proclaimed
3: A Cathedral burns, crumbles, and is rebuild three times.
4: Countless murders, and many more conspiracies.
5: A seemingly retarted boy who grows up in the forest with his mother builds the Cathedral of his dreams (and the dreams of others).
6: A town is burned.
7: The throne of England is in tireless dispute.
8: An Earl is sent to jail to die, and his son and daughter left penniless at ripe ages end up regaining the earldom.
9: A woman controls the Earldom.
10: A man and woman love each other for approx 12 years without being allowed to sleep in the same house.
11: A Genuine Preist is the center of the entire story, from the death of his parents at the age of 6 to his burned cathedral to his burned town to the death of his Archbishop, to the revolution and crusade of Saint Thomas.
Rating:
Summary: what a story
Review: This book is one, if not the best, book I have ever read. The way Follett develops his characters is amazing! I could not put this book down. It is very time consuming, so read it when there is nothing else to occupy your mind.
Rating:
Summary: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Review: One of my favorite books of all time, I re-read it about once a year or so, just bought a brand new copy because I wore my old one out. It is one of those books that you are sad when you finish reading it, because you are so attached to the characters. Historical fiction at its best!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put the book down!
Review: Pillars of the Earth is an engrossing tale centered around the building of a Cathedral in 12th century England. It follows the lives of the master builders and their families, the struggles of the abbey's Prior to sponsor the cathedral building and the evil bishop and earl who would strive to thwart these plans at every step. I do agree with some of the critics who say the language used sounded too modern. If you want dialog with a more 12th century feel then read the Brother Cadfael stories by Ellis Peters, her wonderful mysteries are also set during the civil war between the forces of King Stephen and Empress Maud. However, another of the critics said the story should have ended when the cathedral was finished. I disagree with that entirely! For me, it was that final wrapping up and tying together of all the pieces that elevated this story to the highest level.
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