Book Review #12: The Pillars of the Earth

As an aspiring author I try to write as often as possible but always remember to have a book on the bedside table. I read for many reasons, mostly the sheer joy of the pastime, but I am constantly trying to improve myself as a writer, finding worthwhile lessons in my successful peers, whether they're currently enjoying life in the bestsellers list or they have long since written their final words. As I continue my own writing journey (hopefully towards publication!) I'll be sharing my thoughts on all my latest reads and maybe reveal who I find the most inspiring along the way.

[image error]

Ken Follett – The Pillars of the Earth (1989)

I'm not sure what drew me towards Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth initially. I picked it up in my local Waterstones and somehow couldn't resist. I think the setting in 12th century England at the height of the civil war between Stephen and the Empress Maud is what intrigued me the most. The rest of the book promised to be based mainly around the building of a cathedral which sounded interesting but not overly exciting.

The novel takes place across most of the 12th century beginning with the death of Henry I (1100-1135), youngest son of William the Conqueror, and following the subsequent civil war – The Anarchy or The Nineteen Year Winter (1135-1154) – that broke out. Henry I was one of England's most notorious womanisers but despite fathering many children (most illegitimate) he had no male heir at the time of his death, his only son being killed when the White Ship sank in 1120. On hearing of the disaster Henry I was said to have never smiled again! Henry's nephew Stephen seizes the throne ahead of the late king's only legitimate heir, Matilda, but any hopes of peace are dashed when nobles loyal to the Empress Maud take up arms against Stephen and plunge England into a gruelling civil war. Of course, if you're familiar with this area of history there won't be many surprises with how it turns out but these events are mere background material. Amidst this civil war Follett weaves a series of fascinating stories with a cluster of memorable characters all united by the building of a new cathedral in the fictitious town of Kingsbridge.

One of the first primary characters we meet is Tom Builder, a mason desperately seeking work at one of the towns to support his family. At the outset Tom has to care for his pregnant wife, Agnes, and their two children Alfred and Martha. When Agnes dies in the aftermath of childbirth, Tom reluctantly abandons the newborn baby in the forest and continues on his way, having not the means to feed so many mouths, a painful moment that comes back to haunt him at Kingsbridge. He later falls for Ellen who lives in the forest with her son Jack, having crossed paths with the pair of them earlier in the story. The large family find their way to Kingsbridge where Tom is able to become the master mason when approval is given for a cathedral to be built. As well as his heavy workload Tom has to contend with his lover Ellen who has an aversion to the church and religion in general as well as Alfred and Jack who hate each other from the outset and over the years these ill-feelings do not dissipate, but become far worse.

The struggle between two noble families – the Bartholomews and Hamleighs – is another key part of the novel. At the outset the Hamleighs are furious and embarrassed after their son William is put forward as a suitor for Earl Bartholomew's daughter, Aliena, only for the young woman to refuse his advances. With the crowning of Stephen and the outbreak of the war Earl Bartholomew loses everything, resigned to a penniless death in the dungeons leaving his lands to be taken over by the Hamleighs. William and his close friend Walter find Aliena and her brother Richard still at their father's home and William, by far the book's most brutal character, takes a horrifying revenge. While Richard has part of his ear removed, William and Walter both rape Aliena before she manages to escape with her brother. While Richard is a somewhat weak character, only finding his calling when taking up arms to later join the war, Aliena proves resourceful and strong. She has to forget her noble origins and takes up the wool trade, becoming very rich over the years and helping finance her brother becoming a knight with the long-term ambition of fulfilling her father's dying wish of reclaiming the family estates and having Richard become the new Earl. Over time that honour falls to William Hamleigh who finds a friend in corrupt bishop Waleran Bigod who absolves the evil earl of all sins whenever he rampages throughout his lands raping, pillaging and murdering his subjects.

The most important character in the book is Philip who becomes Prior of Kingsbridge thanks to the help of the conniving Bishop Waleran Bigod. Initially friendly to the new Prior, Bigod regards his ally as an enemy when Philip sets about making Kingsbridge prosperous but the progress of the war directly affects his success. He is the guardian of many of the main characters in the book, the one everyone seems to turn to in the end. He appoints Tom Builder as head mason for the building of the cathedral at Kingsbridge and offers a helping hand to Aliena when she is struggling to start up her wool business. Philip is frequently at odds with allies Waleran Bigod and William Hamleigh who stop at nothing to destroy everything he is building in Kingsbridge. Philip is a mainstay throughout the book, reacting to the death of Henry I at the outset and playing a key role at the end of the novel when Henry II (1154-1189) is now King of England and has committed the most controversial error of his reign – the murder of Thomas Beckett.  

Follett combines all these characters together beautifully and it makes for an absorbing read as the years go by and the children grow up to become adults. We assume that the principal characters we're introduced to at the start will be around at the end but this isn't always the case. Follett knows all too well what difficult lives people had in this period of history and he has no issue with killing off key characters which will take you completely unawares, one of them especially! Amidst the exhausting work on the cathedral and the turbulent years of war the reader can later look forward to a poignant love story that faces many obstacles. Aliena has many suitors, especially when she's a thriving businesswoman, but she turns all of them down partly through lack of interest and partly as a result of William's assault. Even Tom's son Alfred has a try but is rejected. Ellen's son Jack, with striking red hair, has loved Aliena for years but never really talked to her. Once grown up he overcomes his fears and the two get to know each other but although there is mutual affection this is not a straightforward love story and any attempts to resolve things carry on over many years so the reader will be kept guessing how it all turns out in the end. The love story is just one of many wonderful elements to the book. Will the cathedral be completed? Will Jack win the heart of Aliena? Will William Hamleigh get his comeuppance? Will Richard reclaim his father's estate? Will Philip defeat the calculating Waleran Bigod? Who will win the Civil War? So many questions and you'll find no answers from me.

The Pillars of the Earth is an historical epic that may look daunting when you pick it up but the story is so engrossing you'll tear through it. The ending may seem a little rushed in places but it's a small issue given the wonderful story that has come before. I was drawn to the historical period this was set in but had my reservations about how good a novel about building a cathedral could be. I'm pleased to say any doubts were quickly washed away. An unmissable read.

Verdict: 10/10

[image error]Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 David BrownOriginal content here is published under these license terms: X License Type:5License Summary: