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Summary: good vs.evil, used in unitarian book club
Review: highly entertaining fiction with some historical accuracy, strong female characters, vivid depiction of human spirit and the insidious nature of evil. loved it
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Summary: I have read it twice and plan on reading it again!!!!
Review: As a lover of historical novels, this rates as my all time favorite. It makes one appreciate those artists who designed and built the enormous cathedrals. It gives new depth to an Art History class.
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Summary: I loved this book- a must read if you are into fiction
Review: I usually do not read "historical" fiction, but I could not put this book down. The characters are truly memorable, and Follett give an excellent description of life back in the 12th century.Some might consider the plot to be a bit slow, especially with the long descriptions of cathedrals and architecture, but definetely worth it!
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Summary: Gory but good
Review: Having completed Pillars of the Earth, I can now place it on my bookshelf as a source of reference any time I need to refresh my memory about the sounds and colors of humans being disemboweled, women being raped viciously (explicit in every detail) physical love given freely as well as under duress, how curses were implemented, cock fighting, bear baiting, descriptions of cruelty of the rich against the poor, revenge of the poor against the rich, the rich becoming poor, the poor becoming rich and then resuming the cycle all over again... wars, and the overthrowing of those in power. So what else is new in this world since the twelfth century? And that's to say nothing about learning of the feat of building a cathedral! I can't say I "enjoyed" reading the book as I was horrified by the vivid descriptions of the atrocities that were perpetrated and felt utterly exhausted by the tale's end. I must say that it also took great effort on my part (and I did succeed) not to look to the end of the book before finishing it just to find out who would still be left alive! I was not disappointed! I have no desire to read a sequel, however, just to hear the continuing saga of this family. I have no doubt that sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would suffer the same proportions of death and destruction, victories and defeats, as they proceeded through the generations. All in all, it is a fascinating tale that also enlightens the reader about the role of the church, especially the hierarchy, during medieval times.
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Summary: A good read, yes. A classic? I don't think so.
Review: I did thoroughlly enjoy reading The Pillars of the Earth, make no mistake, but there were three things that bothered me to the point of annoying at times. First, the uneveness of the characters. At times I thought the characters were being manipulated like chessmen to make the plot turn on a dime. On some highly suspect occasions, it just plain didn't work. Second, diction. Follet uses some rather modern terms for medieval people, particularly where sex is concerned. At times it was like reading below average soft porn. It made almost every sex scene jarring. Third, plot. I felt like the evil characters in this book were simply too evil, and therefore merely gears for moving the plot. At times it was engrossing, but usually I was left disappointed at how simple it was for Follett to infuse conflict by simply making a character appear on the scene. I did enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. It's epic sweep, it's interesting time period and treatment of local history, and especially it's 3 or 4 main characters were well drawn. I would recommend this book for any medievalist.
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Summary: This is a great book, magnificent.
Review: Is this meant to be an historical novel, as some reviewers have suggested. Who cares.The building of a cathedral, the basis of an 800 page novel? Unlikely but true. Sometimes heros are made from the most unlikely of charactor, and great stories are born from unlikely subjects, this is one such occassion.If you don't think you will love this book because of the subject matter, your wrong.Read this book, you will love it.
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Summary: Popular fiction, not a historical novel
Review: All the stars that this book is getting are alarming. It was a good book, but not worth five stars and certainly is not a classic. The plot is the only thing that keeps it going, it is not an accurate representation of the time period and the characters are questionable. The plot pulls the story along in spite of the weak characters. Things just keep happening, no plot elements are allowed to develop naturally- they seem to be forced. Still, colorful and a quick, easy read. For real information, great books and a more realistic depiction about the time period, try Sharon Kay Penman (or Monica Furlong for an easier read).
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Summary: The best historical novel I have ever read
Review: This book has everything - history, romance, wonderful characters and even architectural information. In fact, I have been trying unsuccessfully to acquire a hard back copy as I consider this book a real classic.
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Summary: An incredible book with amazing visualization!
Review: What wonderful imagery and setting! This book engrossed me almost immediately with its expanse of intertwined plots and suspenseful "one-minute-earlier-would-have-been-different" approach to the character's lives. It is impossible not to become fond of each of the characters and learn all of the intricacies of their personalities and attributes. As one reviewer wrote, "Please, Ken, send us a sequel!"
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Summary: Holding up the sky
Review: Turrets reaching to the sky in supplication, flying butresses supporting the heavens, cathedrals are man's way of worshiping God by building a church fit to encompass His Very Self. Mysterious, majestic, awesome-they have a power over the human psyche to captivate and control the frail minds of people and take absolute power over their souls. Surreal beauty for real beauty, a cathedral can build or destroy those who have built it and pray within. In times long gone, the cathedral was the point around which the entire town revolved.
Tom Builder is consumed by a cathedral. Ellen Builder is consumed by Tom. Jack Jackson is consumed by the same cathedral and by his long-time love Aliena. Earl William is consumed by Aliena and destroying the cathedral. Prior Philip is consumed by his religion and the cathedral. The whole town revolves around the cathedral. Ken Follet's book, The Pillars of the Earth, is nothing if not historically accurate. The cathedral sets the background of the story, encompassing a period of history from 1123 to 1174 in an unromanticized Medieval England, covering the time in the town of Kingsbridge from the burning of the old cathedral through two rebuildings to the introduction of Gothic architecture to England. We follow the Builder family through prosperity and starvation, from the loss of his first wife Agnes to his life with his heathen second wife Ellen and her son Jack. We see the proud daughter of an Earl, the Lady Aliena, run from her nemesis William to poverty then to prosperity beyond imagining. We watch as young Philip maneuvers around his enemies to become a prior in his youth then see him at the end of his life while punishing King Henry II for the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. We watch, yet we live with them, experience everything they do, understand what they understand.
Follet really does a superb job describing twelfth century England, showing in-depth research into the topic. He also conveys a sense of realism in his characters, making them as dirty and hopeful and uneducated as most of the inhabitants of that time were. Sure, he employs occasional literary liberties concerning the believability of some characters' actions or the results of these motions, but it can be forgiven in the name of audience appeal. Though long, the novel is worthy; though involved, the themes, morals, motifs, et cetera, are clear. Impressive are the people who hold up the walls of the buildings that hold up the sky and clouds that are the very pillars of the Earth.
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