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Summary: One of the finest adventures I've read.
Review: It is usually agreed that one of the finest adventure stories in the English language is "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien. Having read this book, I would daresay that it is equal to, or almost, to Tolkien's adventure. The medievel setting is fascinating, the various stories which Follett has interweaved are engaging, and his style of narrative is direct and still provides a magnificent picture. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves well written adventure stories and who can manage the 1,000+ page read...in the end, it's worthwhile. (-;
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Summary: Why isn't this a movie?
Review: Like many of the 265 others who have posted here before me, I found this book amazingly absorbing. I read the last 500 pages in one night because I couldn't bring myself to go to sleep before I had finished the novel. I am nearly 60 years old and an accomplished scholar and there are not many books I have read since childhood which have caused me to lose so much sleep.The question is, what standards should we bring to bear on a book like this? Does giving it 5 stars mean I think it is as good as The Brothers Karamazov or Pride and Prejudice or War and Peace? No, not really. I give it 5 stars because it was a wonderful and informative book and I would love to have others share the experience of reading it. The characters are great, but not as rich and profound as in books like the ones I mention above. But if you compare The Pillars of Fire with classics of historical fiction such as the novels of Walter Scott or Alexandre Dumas, I think it holds up very well, and that, in my opinion, is the appropriate basis of comparison. My title question is serious. I think this book would make an extraordinary movie or TV mini-series. Some readers have said that they found the plot obvious. I personally don't share that view -- or, rather, I enjoyed the obvious skill with which Follett has constructed his plot, his efficiency in using just about every detail to advance the plot. But in my opinion this kind of plot technique is really more suited to drama than to the novel. Except in the case of mysteries, the novel as a literary form does not depend as much on plot mechanics as on the development of character and personality. Drama, on the other hand, depends almost entirely on plot, and I think that what appears as obvious in the novel might make for an extremely taught drama on the screen. Finally, let me say something to those academics who have complained that the book is not historically accurate. Apart from the fact that, as a novel, historical accuracy is hardly required here, and that the book is clearly at least as accurate as the novels of Scott or Dumas, there is at least one detail in which the book is strikingly more accurate than most of the textbooks. I am referring to the discussion about the function of the flying buttress. Even today you will find encyclopedias and textbooks which perpetuate the myth that the structural function of a flying buttress is to absorb the outward thrust generated by the weight of the roof or the interior vaults of a gothic cathedral. About twenty years ago, however, it was demonstrated by means of mathematical modeling that the flying buttresses would have been unnecessary for this purpose. What made them necessary is something that armchair builders tend to forget about, thinking that the only important force a builder needs to deal with is gravitation, but which a practical builder can never afford to forget, namely wind pressure. And increasing the height of a wall dramatically increases the amount of wind that it intercepts. Therefore, it is striking that Follett gets this right when the Encyclopedia Britannica still has it wrong.
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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.
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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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