Buddy Read: The Pillars of the Earth

[Samaria]

Are we entering chapter 7 for this week?

[Erin]

Samaria wrote: "Are we entering chapter 7 for this week?"

We’re reading chapter 6 this week, stopping at chapter 7.

[Samaria]

Oh shoot! Im ahead 🙈

[Erin]

Samaria wrote: "Oh shoot! Im ahead 🙈"

No worries! Just don’t post spoilers 😉

[Samaria]

😬😬😬 I’ll try not to post spoilers

[Pien]

😂
I regret not taking the book with me, so curious how it will develop! A positive ending of a chapter? Hear hear! 😃

[Erin]

Pien wrote: "😂
I regret not taking the book with me, so curious how it will develop! A positive ending of a chapter? Hear hear! 😃"

I don’t blame you for not bringing it! It has not been a feel good book so far and who wants to bring a downer on vacation?
Enjoy your trip!

I’ll try to hop on again sometime today to edit one of my early posts to include a reading schedule to help keep us on track with each other. My family will be taking a trip in early June and I don’t know if I’ll pick it up during that time.

[Erin]

Actually managed to go back and put up a schedule on the first post right now… let me know if you see any mistakes! I’m not fully awake yet 🙈

[Pien]

As I took Oryx and Crake as my holiday lit, seriously the most depressing book ever, (I didn’t know, just loved The handmaid’s tale) I might as well have taken the Pillars. But! I realized I have the book, it’s on my ereader! I got the Dutch version in the library but actually own itin English. So I finished the chapter yesterday evening and yes, that was a good ending. I also love the girl’s strength when she gets angry.
I wouldn’t mind reading the next chapter too so we are all on the same page, literally, but I don’t know if you’d have the time for it Erin? I promise I’ll update the schedule:-)

[Erin]

Pien wrote: "As I took Oryx and Crake as my holiday lit, seriously the most depressing book ever, (I didn’t know, just loved The handmaid’s tale) I might as well have taken the Pillars. But! I realized I have t..."

😂 I’m ready to start chapter 7. I don’t think I have much going on tomorrow and can probably take a nice walk after both of my kids have gone to school. I make good progress with the audiobook that way. Otherwise I’m slow… I don’t really have time to sit and pick up a physical book. 🙈

[Samaria]

Yes let’s do it, let’s keep going :)

[Pien]

I think Erin and I are a chapter behind you so don’t go too quickly Samaria 😄🐌

[Samaria]

I can’t believe it! It’s the first time that I am ahead of everyone. I usually go at snail pace. Lol

[StarMan]

Starman watches the Book Snail race with mild anticipation, and wonders which meandering mollusk to place a bet on...



Kidding, it's not a race. Glad y'all are having fun with the buddy read.

Samaria wrote: "I can’t believe it! It’s the first time that I am ahead of everyone. I usually go at snail pace. Lol"

Pien wrote: "I think Erin and I are a chapter behind you so don’t go too quickly Samaria 😄🐌"

[Pien]

Hahaha yes Samaria, you’re the Queen of Snails!
Tim, watch it, this might get ugly in the long run 🫣

[Erin]

I am on track to finish chapter 7 today. Do you both want to do two chapters next week? Or should we stick to one? I will be spending three hours in the car on Saturday so I could pretty easily get through two with the audiobook. But I’m perfectly happy to stick with one if that’s too much for anyone else.

Side note: I was really glad the cat got away when they played “stoning the cat“

[Erin]

Done with 7! So happy to see things taking a more positive turn 🙌🏻

[Pien]

I can do two chapters next week, I think, how about you, Samaria?

[Samaria]

Challenge accepted!!!! 🤓🤓

[Erin]

👍🏻 Just updated the reading schedule again!

[Pien]

Oh, sorry, I should have done that yesterday, thanks Erin!!

And let’s go powerbugs!! 📖🏎

[Erin]

Pien wrote: "Oh, sorry, I should have done that yesterday, thanks Erin!!

And let’s go powerbugs!! 📖🏎"

I don’t think you can anyway Pien since it’s on one of my posts. I think you can only edit your own. But it was no problem, a super quick change!

[Pien]

Oh Yes, I hadn’t thought of that

[Erin]

🤮 chapter 8 is utterly brutal. William makes me almost physically ill.

[Erin]

Got through 9 as well and honestly, I’m really happy to put this book down for a few days now. I’m really struggling with how… dark/depressing/detestable so much of it is. With everything going on in the world right now, this is not the type of book to hook me. I was so disgusted by so much in these last two chapters. 😏

How are y’all feeling about it?

[Pien]

I agree. I’m in chapter 8, halfway I think and it’s unbelievable how beastly William behaves. And Waleran, oof! Not looking forward to chapter 9 when it all continues to be so grim. But I’m expecting the evil ones to get their punishment in the end. I hope so at least!

[Erin]

How are you both coming along? Feeling ready for Ch. 10 next week? I think (hope) I’ve had enough of a break that I can handle it again. Though my kindle tells me it’s a 2.5 hour chapter… so I’m thinking we stick with just the one.

As for our recent allotment… I about lost it when (view spoiler)[William threw the baby in the air. I mean, are you fucking kidding me? That was so atrocious and if the grandfather hadn’t managed to catch it, I probably would have abandoned the book altogether right then. (hide spoiler)]

[Pien]

2.5 hours?? Wow, yes let’s stick with one chapter then 😄
I think I have 25 pages left in ch 9 and will finish today. I’ll read your spoiler then.
Good luck you both with the next! 😃👍🏻📖🫣

[Erin]

Just finished chapter 10…
I can’t even…

[Pien]

Finished chapter 10. Forgot to breath reading the last part…

[Erin]

Wasn’t that shocking? I absolutely could not believe (view spoiler)[ they killed off Tom! (hide spoiler)] I was so happy that (view spoiler)[so much of the chapter wasn’t abysmally negative as so much of the book is, and then that ending 🤦🏼‍♀️ I absolutely detest William! (hide spoiler)]

How are you coming along Samaria?

[Samaria]

I needed to take a break from the book, it has been taking me in a roller coaster of emotions feel exhausted from it.

[Samaria]

But have said that I will be finishing ch 10 today.

[Erin]

Samaria wrote: "I needed to take a break from the book, it has been taking me in a roller coaster of emotions feel exhausted from it."

Completely understandable! I’ve been glad to get through the readings over 1-2 days so I could take a break before picking it up again. This book is brutal!

[Samaria]

I can’t even…
I started chapter 11 and omg! Seriously 😒 more misery and grief.

[Erin]

Samaria wrote: "I can’t even…
I started chapter 11 and omg! Seriously 😒 more misery and grief."

Ugh! Nooo! 😩 I might start it tonight… we’ll see…

[Pien]

We are sort of halfway the book, how do you two like it so far? It’s very cruel, especially that awful William, but sometimes pretty loving and maybe even inspiring (how they never give up, for instance).
Do you still enjoy reading it? Or does it feel like you almost have to?

I personally enjoy reading it still. Yes it’s a heavy story but I like it when a book is apparently involving me so much that I’m feeling pushed and pulled by it. And the characters are so vivid. Even that crazy William, it’s explained how his brain works, that’s so well done.
And it helps that I know it’s just fiction and if this writer doesn’t give us a good ending I’m just never going toread him anymore 😆.

[Erin]

I do think the ability to evoke such strong emotions from readers is a sign of good writing, and perhaps if I had picked this up several years ago, I’d be enjoying it more. But as it is, it feels like the wrong book at the wrong time for me. However, I do think that even if I weren’t reading this as a buddy read, I would still finish it. I suppose I’m invested in the characters now, a couple of them anyway (Philip and Aliena). I feel like something awful must surely be coming for vile William, though I can’t even decide what would be fitting.

I didn’t get to start the next chapter last night. I’m not taking walks having come down with Covid so I’m not sure how/when I’ll tackle it. I’ve been finding the audiobook preferable because I feel a bit more detached when listening than when actively reading myself.

[Pien]

All characters in the book, even William, and me, wish you get well soon! ❤️🐌

[Erin]

😂 Thanks! Though I don't believe you about William! 😆
I was actually prepared to take a walk tonight, finally feeling up for a leisurely one, and our 19% chance of rain turned into a raging thunderstorm 😏
I picked an easy cross stitch project to work on tonight though so I can listen while I do that. 😉

[Pien]

It’s true though, he told me while he was stealing my castle.
It’s good to hear you were feeling up for a slow walk, too bad about the weather…

[Pien]

I still have to read most of this weeks chapter, very much behind

[Erin]

Pien wrote: "I still have to read most of this weeks chapter, very much behind"

No worries, I’m in no rush to pick it back up. We had a mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas a couple days ago. This book isn’t exactly an ideal read when actual children have just been murdered. My country is going to shit. 😔

Where are you at Samaria?
Let me know when you make some progress, Pien.

[Pien]

It’s so awful what happened there… Take your time Erin
Ive finished last chapter but don’t mind putting the book on hold for a while.

[Samaria]

Hi everyone, sorry I was absent for a bit, I have been busy over here with work and family stuff. I was able to read or (listen to the book) on my walks/stair climbing :) I am now in chapter 13 and I’m so happy to hear that the book is taking a shift for the better.
I am so sorry to hear of the shooting 🥺 it’s awful and disgusting that we need to resort to harming one another to get your point/message across.
Please take all the time you need and practice lots of self care in this moments. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.

[Erin]

I can start chapter 12 tomorrow. I’ll be aiming to get an early morning walk in.

[Erin]

Got through about 2/3 of chapter 12 this morning. I kinda wondered if (view spoiler)[ Aliena would end up pregnant with Jack’s child and, even if she had slept with Alfred, it would be evident the baby was Jack’s because it would have red hair. (hide spoiler)]
I also got nervous when (view spoiler)[ Philip wanted to rush the construction of the church, especially with Alfred in charge. It wasn’t surprising when it collapsed, though it was still devastating. (hide spoiler)]
I’m very curious to see if (view spoiler)[ Jack decides to marry Aysha. What a predicament it will be if he does and then Aliena finally finds him… (hide spoiler)]
::Sigh::

[Erin]

Finished chapter 12 last night and ended up starting chapter 13 this morning on my walk. I finished another audiobook and had intended to make some progress on Anna Karenina only to find that my loan had expired and it’s been checked out by someone else 😏
I’m about 2/3 done with ch 13 and fortunately, the events are not as tragic as they have been through much of the book… I’ll probably finish it soon as I stopped at a suspenseful part.

[Pien]

Finished chapter 12. I was so happy (view spoiler)[ Jack didn’t choose Aysha. I thought that would be the next big problem! (hide spoiler)]
The last part with (view spoiler)[ the statue was pretty funny I thought. But it will be quite a shame if Kingsbridge is saved with a scam… (hide spoiler)]
Well, I keep reading for shure!

[Erin]

Pien wrote: "Finished chapter 12. I was so happy [spoilers removed]
The last part with [spoilers removed]
Well, I keep reading for shure!"

I’ve finished chapter 13 now, but I can hold off on 14 for awhile. We’re leaving for vacation in 2 days. I’ve got 10.5 hours in the car on the way there and 10.5 next week when we come back. Hoping to polish off Anna Karenina and I have 3 other books lined up! 😉

Let me know when you both finish 13 and want to move on.

I’m very curious (view spoiler)[what happened on that ship… it sounds like it was intentionally sunk and Jack’s father was killed because maybe he knew too much. Really hope the book sheds more light on that. (hide spoiler)]