"The Pillars of the Earth" . . . by Ken Follett . . .

[OneBlueSky]

anyone familiar with this one? . . . I read it probably ten years ago and recall being thoroughly captivated . . . thinking about picking it up at the library for a second go-round . . .

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451166892/qid=1100385700/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-7700802-8053448

From Publishers Weekly
With this book, Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner, escaping the narrow genre of suspense thrillers to take credit for a historical novel of gripping readability, authentic atmosphere and detail and memorable characterization. Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through four decades during which social and political upheaval and the internal politics of the church affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists. The insightful portrayals of an idealistic master builder, a pious, dogmatic but compassionate prior and an unscrupulous, ruthless bishop are balanced by those of a trio of independent, resourceful women (one of them quite loathesome) who can stand on their own as memorable characters in any genre. Beginning with a mystery that casts its shadow on ensuing events, the narrative is a seesaw of tension in which circumstances change with shocking but true-to-life unpredictability. Follett's impeccable pacing builds suspense in a balanced narrative that offers action, intrigue, violence and passion as well as the step-by-step description of an edifice rising in slow stages, its progress tied to the vicissitudes of fortune and the permutations of evolving architectural style. Follett's depiction of the precarious balance of power between monarchy and religion in the Middle Ages, and of the effects of social upheavals and the forces of nature (storms, famines) on political events; his ability to convey the fine points of architecture so that the cathedral becomes clearly visualized in the reader's mind; and above all, his portrayals of the enduring human emotions of ambition, greed, bravery, dedication, revenge and love, result in a highly engrossing narrative. Manipulating a complex plot in which the characters interact against a broad canvas of medieval life, Follett has written a novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale.

[ogradda]

1. read it - own it

one of my top favorities...definitly worth the read. i usually buy my books at library book sales, garage sales, etc. you get some very good books that way. have you ever read any of cecelia holland's books? valerie anand also does very well in the medieval writing genre.

[toska]

2. we liked it

both my wife and i have read it and liked it

[Gyre]

3. Incredibly dark tome

Sort of like watching an autopsy (I don't do it unless I have to); but more of a mind-fuck. That isn't to say it isn't written beautifully. It will definitely leave an impression on you.

Gyre

[Dudley_DUright]

4. I have most of Follett's books in my library,

but this one is unlike anything else he has written. I have seen many of the great cathedrals in Europe, and I alway think of this book when I am inside of one.

[rhett o rick]

14. Loved Pillars of the Earth and On the Wings of Eagles but didn't like

The Hammer of Eden. Paper Money wasn't bad. Any recommendations?

[sui generis]

5. It was a good book - characters are especially memorable

I liked that the author killed off a central character as abruptly and as true to life as life itself often does, leaving the reader shocked and in mourning.

It was a good read - I think that some historians dislike that he mixed and matched details from periods that were actually fifty or a hundred years apart, but fuck 'em. This was a story people, with props, not a dusty scholarly description of props, with people.

Another good one if you like s.f. that falls along the same lines is "The Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis that posits a young historian suddenly transported back to England in 1348 as the first waves of plague sweep the countryside - warning: it's not a cheerful book, but very memorable and very absorbing.

[ogradda]

7. thanks

off to the library website to order that sucker :)

[Paradise]

6. Read it many years ago.

Couldn't put it down; didn't get much sleep.
Captivating!
Lent it to some?one; never saw it again.
Would love to reread, however so much to read, so little time.

[jobycom]

8. Okay. I was in grad school studying medieval history when I read it

And had some problems with the characters. They read like his spy novel characters wearing medieval clothing, more than like medieval folk.

It was a good story, and the details on the construction of the cathedral and the transformation to the Gothic style was good. Also, the monastic political scene was well done, but Follet always had a grasp of politics. I plan to read it again one day.

[motely36]

9. The Pillars of the Earth

is one of my favorite all-time books. I absolutly loved it, but then I gave it to a friend of mine who hated it.

My understanding is that Follett received overwhelming popular responses for the book that he has decided to write a sequal. The last I read on his website says that he will begin the sequal after his current book is finished. I believe his new book is finished and should be published soon. Which means that he should be starting the sequal soon if he has not already.

I am looking forward to the sequal almost as much as I am looking forward to the new Harry Potter book.

What can I say, my taste is very ecclectic.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. I read it a while ago, too. Liked it very much. nt

[ecstatic]

11. Oprah chose it for book club. I read all 900+ pages in high school and loved it

It was required reading but it kept my interest the whole time. I hope they make a movie about it one day.

[rhett o rick]

12. One of my favorites, if not my favorite. Never thought Oprah would recommend

a book I read.

[rhett o rick]

13. Another Ken Follett must read, "On the Wings of Eagles". How Ross Perot

rescued two of his corporate executives from Iran when the iatola khomeini took over.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

15. If you liked "Pillers" (and I love Follett) you'll love Sarum

http://www.amazon.com/Sarum-Novel-England-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0449000729

[Caoimhe]

16. I read it in my early 20's and loved it n/t

[sazemisery]

17. pick up his new one "World Without End"

Same setting 2 centuries later. Liked it almost as much as "Pillars of the Earth".

[nosmokes]

19. I was up til the wee hours with that one this morning.I'm liking it

a lot. It's very good for a sequel. And again he seems to get most of the details and the politics of the time and what it truky could have been like correct, while at the same time filling out characters and keeping a couple of subplots going that urge you on to the next page. I am very surprised there hasn't been a BBC series of Pillars. It seems like a natural.

[jannyk]

18. I just started this last night - so far excellent.