The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1) in Challenge: 50 Books

Sep 03, 2010 Michael rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010

Years ago while visiting my grandparents, my grandfather recommended this book to me. The recommendation came after a trip to the library in which I checked out the usual brain-candy that teenagers gravitate toward and I expect the recommendation came as a hope to get me to pick up something a bit more challenging than the latest tie-in novel for whatever sci-fi series I was into at the moment.

He described the story to me and I have to admit I sought out the book at the time but was immediately Years ago while visiting my grandparents, my grandfather recommended this book to me. The recommendation came after a trip to the library in which I checked out the usual brain-candy that teenagers gravitate toward and I expect the recommendation came as a hope to get me to pick up something a bit more challenging than the latest tie-in novel for whatever sci-fi series I was into at the moment.

He described the story to me and I have to admit I sought out the book at the time but was immediately turned off by the sheer page count. At the time, I couldn't imagine spending 1000 pages hearing about the building of a cathedral during the 12th Century. (This rejection, of course, made me a bit of hypocrite since I'd read all 1000 plus pages of "It" at that point, but a lot of that was while sick in bed with the flu.)

Over the years, I kept hearing from various people about how good "Pillars of the Earth" was and I was always reminded of my grandfather's recommendation. It was one of those books I kept thinking I needed to read just to see if it was as good as everyone says it is and even went so far as to impulsively buy a copy a couple of years ago. It then languished on my to be read pile for years. Every time it tried to work its way up to the top of the pile or even into the top five, another book or two came along to distract me.

And then, I heard they were making a mini-series version of the book for Starz. The ads intrigued me and I realized that being a book snob, I had to read the book before I saw the show. And so, twenty plus years after the initial recommendation and after a lot of glowing praise by a lot of people who's opinions on books I respect, "Earth" finally worked its way to the top of my pile.

Going into it, I was a bit worried I might have built up the book so much in my mind that no novel could live up to the expectations placed on it. Thankfully, the book does live up to the praise heaped on it by so many for so long. I've not read a lot of other works by Ken Follett, but scanning his list of other works I can see how this book is an exception to the standard Follett novel.

It's the story of the building of a 12th Century cathedral, including all the politics surrounding it. Filled with a wealth of characters--many likeable, many unlikeable and some that go back and forth--the novel more than sustains itself for the close to 1000 pages. The way in which various characters keep intersecting into and out of each others' lives is well done and while it could have been contrived, it works well for the story. The ups and downs, the political maneuvering and the characters' journeys all make this a fascinating, compelling and fun novel.

I won't so so far to say it's one of my favorite books. It was enjoyable and fun and it certainly more than managed to hold my interest. But maybe my expectations of it being the "greatest thing ever" did play a factor in my giving it only four stars instead of five. Don't get me wrong--it's probably more like a four and a half star book. But there's something special about a five star book and "Earth" just seems to be missing it.

So if you're like me and wondering if you should try it--give it a whirl. Don't wait twenty years to read it. I wish I hadn't. I wish I'd been able to read it and share a discussion of the story with my grandfather before he'd passed away.
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Aug 26, 2008 Jenn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-owned, best-of-the-best

From the very beginning, I couldn't put this book down. It's pretty obvious when I finish the book (1000 pages) in less than a week with a limited amount of time to read. I'd stay up reading late into the night, just because I wanted to see what would happen next.

I think one of the most special things about the book is that Follett really captures what it is to be human. While some stories have you rooting for a protagonist who seems to be utterly perfect, makes no bad decisions, and always does ...more

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Oct 30, 2008 Sandy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: england, hist-fiction, 14th-century

One of the most memorable books I have EVER read. I think about it frequently! I am really looking forward to reading the next chapter as it t'were - just have to find the time as I know this one was all consuming and loooong!! Fabulous mideveal detail! ...more

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Jul 26, 2008 Beth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Upon completion of the first 60 pages of this book my overall thought was "what a gas bag!" This book could easily be half as long but tends to run on and on about what people are thinking and what it looks like around them. If you like that kind of thing you are going to love this book! The story is pretty good, I just felt like I had to keep skimming to find it. Plot ties up nicely and at the very end. This was my first book to read by this author and I think I will take a pass on anything els ...more

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Jul 05, 2008 Benjamin rated it liked it · review of another edition

This backbreaking—even in paperback—book was recommended to me by my high school librarian. I enjoyed it and spent many afternoons after school reading it eagerly. It is a big book in every sense of the word and quite enjoyable reading.

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Nov 11, 2017 Sue rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: librarybook, audio, 2017-reads

Was a recommendation from a friend - it was actually pretty good. It was long not sure I could have actually read - it was easier on audio.

You need to know a little history so you understand the time frame ow when things happened.

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