World Without End (Kingsbridge, #2) in Read a book from each country

May 18, 2008 Jodi rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-in-a-series, books-about-england

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much! It is a 14th century soap opera set in England. There are poor peasants trying just to survive, wicked nobility bent on destroying the hard-working poor, dishonest clergymen, and forbidden love - what could be better?! My only complaint is that Ken Follet seemed to follow the same "formula" for the plot in this book as he did in the previous book, Pillars of the Earth. It was interesting to read about the plague and how the monks distrusted trying anythin ...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Courtney rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011

This book was a (sort-of) sequel to Pillars of the Earth, taking place 200 years later and featuring the descendants of the first book's main characters. Both stories center around the town of Kingsbridge, and the priory and cathedral there. There were similar themes, but the stories were different enough that I found the 1,000-some page book impossible to put down. World Without End takes place in the 1300's, during the time when the Plague ravaged Europe. It was also a time when women were com ...more

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Jul 20, 2013 Phbinc rated it really liked it

Good epic historical novel set in the 14th century. It is a well researched, detailed portrait of the late Middle Ages. It follows four children lives through very different directions - a genius builder, a innovative nurse, a cruel knight, and an unsympathetic monk. I had not read its predecessor, but it did not seem to matter. I will probably go back and read it now.

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Dec 11, 2010 Ian Billick rated it it was ok

Not nearly as good as the first book in the series. Many of the same plots devices, though that seemed incidental. The plot was not as rich as the first book and the characters seemed much more passive. An engaging read, though, for anybody who enjoyed the first one.

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Feb 18, 2025 Peggy rated it really liked it

It’s been a bit since I finished the first Kingsbridge novel, which I loved. This second volume offers the same rewards—the sweep of history, brave and noble men and women, horrible villains who do what they do out of a desire for power and prestige, and the peasants who suffer as those “above them” struggle. Still some building though that doesn’t dominate. Here a woman (as well as several other women) hold the book together and lead its plot. They are strong, take their fates into their own ha ...more

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