Afred's plead for work from Jack

[Caitlin]

I haven't finished the book, however pretty close. But I want to know why Jack was not more outraged when he heard Aliena and Martha tell him Alfred abused them right after he employed Alfred...? I thought he would be more outraged..

[Orrie]

If it weren't for his love for Tom he would have let him rot in hell for all he cared. That soft spot for his stepfather led to some compassion for Alfred.

[Kristoffer]

Yes, Alfred deserved what he got at the ending. He's a total ASSHOLE! I thought he would be more understanding like Tom. Guess the apple fell a mile away from the tree.

[Christine]

Outraged at Jacks sympathy for Alfred. I really thought Alfred might change with some kindness showed to him but it never happened. True to his character, I guess. I was truly hoping he had just an inkling of Tom in him!

[Molly]

I too kind of hoped Alfred would change into a better person towards the end of the story. However, the author had to stay true to Alfred's original character I suppose.

[Kristoffer]

Yeah I know me too. But there are just people who are jerks to the end. I was kind of surprised too why Alfred's development as a character was too passive given the circumstances. In the end his hate destroyed him.

I love how Follett makes this story so unpredictable. And the character development was so awesome. I mean Aliena's transformation from a rape victim\princess to a true hustler who can stand on her own and stand for what she believed in.

I was so happy when she decided to find Jack in Spain. That was my favorite part. You couldn't know if Jack would choose to stay there or would he go back to Kingsbridge.

Come to think about it I loved the whole story.I really wouldn't mind if Follett added a few hundred pages more. I would say the best novel I've read in a long while.

What is your favorite part of the story?

[Molly]

For me, the best parts of this book were whenever William was dealt a hand of Kharma. William's character was brought to life so well for me that I couldn't wait for revenge to be bestowed upon him. Follett's imagery of Aliena's rape had to be one of the hardest parts for me to read. In terms of writing it was wonderful, but devastating to read.

[Kristoffer]

I totally agree with you. But Waleran Bigod was also another forerunner for my most hated villain in the story. He represented the abusive clergymen during the medieval period. While William was the more cunning and relentless Waleran was the more scheming and deceptive villain. He was smarter than William which made him more formidable in my eyes. He definitely got what he deserved. He made one false move and he was gone. I just love how the story concludes with everything getting what he/she deserves.

[Amy]

I know Jack really loved Tom and only took Alfred back for him. In Jack's idealist world he thought this act of charity would change Alfred and make him grateful but it only confirmed that Alfred is inherently vicious and that Jack is inherently humane.

[Neil]

Yeah, he wasn't very outraged about finding out about the abuse, but I don't think he was very outraged about William raping Alienna either. I kind of expected Jack to be the one that took Williams life, but in the end he was hung for the murder of St. Thomas...

[Georgia]

Ellen knew that Alfred was a bad seed from the beginning. Jack's love for Tom influenced his decision to give Alfred another chance. In the end, Alfred's "badness" and refusal to learn from experiences did him in. Alfred contrasted to Regiumus, who did recompense for his hatred when given a second chance.

[Gemma]

I was also disappointed by Jack's reaction, at this and when he found out Aliena had been raped. I suppose he was young and very naive, I do think the Jack at the end of the book would have reacted much more satisfactorily.

[Rachel]

I also couldn't work out why someone didn't set out to kill William. Aliena, Jack, Richard - they all had cause. One swiftly aim arrow would have done the trick. I felt sure that Richard would have deliberately tried to kill him when the built the wall to stop the town being seized, but all we had was Jack throwing a stone at him. I guess he had to survive though.

[Sonia]

Jack's love for Tom blinded him when he accepted to take Alfred back. He show how poor Alfred was and felt sorry for him. Even though Alfred loss everything he was still the bully and betrayed Jack's trust over and over again, yet Jack ignored these traits.