The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1) in Read a book from each country

Jan 06, 2011 Paula Savioli rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-literature, historical-fiction, fantasy

There were several parts in which I couldn't decide whether this book is very good or very bad. In some parts the story was told with haste, without much emotion, but in others it was just beautiful. Some of the evil plots were too forced - just when everything seems to be good you could count on William/Waleran coming up with some plot, then this plot was undone, everything was ok, then they came with another plot. Unfortunately I didn't mark the parts I found really exciting, but there were qu ...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Rebecca rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: art-lit, reviewed, family, historical-fiction, religion-and-spirituality, history-medieval, monks-and-nuns

This book is fine, but not good enough to deserve being as long as it is. I think my boyfriend put it well: 'Its a book for people who take a year to read it and forget that things keep being repeated.' With all the contrived plotting and conspiring, again and again and again, it just ends up feeling self indulgent. ...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Crystle rated it it was ok

I would have given 4 stars to the first 500 pages. About 600 pages in, Follett wrecks what had been a fairly classy story with a crass sex scene fit for penthouse letters. The writing style is completely at odds with the rest of the book. Then, after freeing himself of all art and subtlety, the rest of the book is just lame and overdone. I think I read the last few hundred pages in a day or two just because I wanted it to be over with.

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Nov 25, 2010 Ian Billick rated it really liked it

Very engrossing with interesting characters. The book took some interesting twists and turns. I couldn't quite follow the architecture. It would have been nice to have a primer on the side while reading the book. A good book to read over the holidays when you are looking to disappear. ...more

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