The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1) in What's the Name of That Book???

Aug 10, 2009 El rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-centurylit-late, big-effing-books

So there's this funny story behind this one (and if it's funny only to me, so be it)...

I just took a 10-day vacation to visit family in another state. And anyone who knows me knows that I am a picky person when it comes to choosing books to take with me on any vacation. One book will not do it for me, oh no - I take no less than three or four on any given trip. So the books I choose are chosen thoughtfully by mentally preparing for every possibility that might happen while I'm gone: "This one is So there's this funny story behind this one (and if it's funny only to me, so be it)...

I just took a 10-day vacation to visit family in another state. And anyone who knows me knows that I am a picky person when it comes to choosing books to take with me on any vacation. One book will not do it for me, oh no - I take no less than three or four on any given trip. So the books I choose are chosen thoughtfully by mentally preparing for every possibility that might happen while I'm gone: "This one is good only if I have a headache and need something light to read...", "This is good for a rainy day...", etc. There's a formula and I stick to it.

So this year, I brought along A Clockwork Orange, Exodus and Lorna Doone. Life was difficult before I left and therefore didn't allow myself the usual month-long preparation in making my choices. In any case, by the time I was packed, passed on through security for being a non-threat to my fellow travelers, and on my way to my gate, I had a small meltdown where I suddenly realized, "Holy crap! I don't want to read any of the books I packed!"

Like a vision before me appeared a bookstore - one of the nice ones that has many different kinds of books to choose from, and not just the newest bestsellers. Still, with all those choices, I settled on this particular book. Partly because I was finally curious to see what I thought of all the hype, and partly because it was massive and seemed exactly what my brain needed, and partly because everything else looked even worse. The added incentive was that any book purchased at the airport bookstore can be returned in six months for a 50% refund, which I can not pass up. I figured if I busted ass and spent a quality amount of time reading each night before bed I could finish it on my vacation and return it to the bookstore on my flight back in.

And that's what I did. I read every chance I had and I enjoyed most minutes of it and wasn't terribly disappointed. I finished it during my layover in Chicago and patted myself on the back for a job well done and anticipated my refund awaiting me in Dayton... not taking into consideration the fact that my flight landed at 9:00 p.m. And the bookstore, obviously, was already closed.

So I didn't get my refund. And probably am not flying anywhere in the next six months, so whatever. $7.99 down the drain.

But not totally. This wasn't a waste of money. I enjoyed it. Middle Ages, characters completely rough around the edges, corrupt bishops, architecture, on and on. Drama on top of drama on top of more drama! It didn't stop! But in a not-bad sort of way. I was engrossed the entire time. It's not for the faint at heart or intense feminist types (while the women characters are ahead of their time and are strong and independent, there are brutal descriptions of rape and abuse), and there are moments of animal abuse as well. But, hello, this is a story taking place in the 12th century. Things were not fluffy and sweet all of the time.

I don't know if I'll rush into reading the sequel. I think I can probably hold off for a while. This didn't smell like the bestseller that it is, and I ignored whether or not this was one of those that Oprah harped on and on about. But for a solid epic story this managed to be actually quite impressive. I can't give a full five stars to it as I have to say there were times I thought Mr. Follett went a little overboard, but more in a Melville discussing whaling in Moby-Dick or, The Whale sort of way. If you're not interested in architecture - the styles, the history, the geometry - you probably will not be interested in the story as much. Just FYI. ...more

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May 31, 2008 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2003, age-adult, oprah

Back in my freshman year of college, I had signed up for a course called "The Art of Cathedrals." I think I made it through one lecture before dropping it, but I do think cathedrals are amazing--this book puts into perspective the amount of work involved in building one. I liked how the stories of the characters were all interwoven as well as learning various aspects of medieval life. It did take quite a long time to read, however. ...more

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Aug 08, 2009 Melissa Rochelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 23, 2012 Pam marked it as to-read

My Nanny's favorite book. I guess I have to try. ...more

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Nov 04, 2009 Sophia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, mainstreamfiction, 2010

This would have been a four-star review, but boy the last 150 pages feel drawn-out. I actually put the book down for over a month because I couldn't believe that yet *more* crises and setbacks were happening to the characters. Wrap it up, already! You know the author has been writing too long when they start inserting descriptors ("Alfred, Tom's son") about characters whom you've been reading about for hundreds of pages, as if you were reading a sequel. ...more

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Mar 30, 2008 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

I give it 4.5 stars for wonderful storytelling and faithful attention to detail - especially around the building of the cathedral. A couple of the characters were predictable, as were a couple of plot points, but I really didn't mind. ...more

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Oct 22, 2010 Erin rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

Reading this was kind of a chore. Most notably, it leaned too much on its irritating, one-dimensional villain. After the first few heinous acts, he didn't strike fear into my heart, he just bothered me whenever he showed up. ...more

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