How "practical" was Jack?

[Charles]

I read Pillars of the Earth and pretty much loved it. The only problem was the length of it, but it was much more entertaining than other books which I've read so that wasn't really a problem. Many times throughout the book I felt like I connected with Jack the most, and it was nice to read about his passion for building.

I was particularly interested in his love interest with Aliena. I'm not sure if "thats the way love is", but he seemed either just plain naive or so in love that he was stupid. Thats at least how I look at it from a third party. So I wonder about this whole attitude he had towards women after Aliena leaves him.

How practical was that? Was he really waiting on her, or was he just not interested in other women while getting over his ex, a feeling that would eventually go away? I know many people who've been in Jack's shoes, but the wait lasted forever because the "Aliena" in their lives never changed her mind. So it just seems irrational to me. But then again, they say "Thats the Way Love Goes". Maybe its not meant to be understood.

[Paulette]

I read the book and found it overall enjoyable , a couple years later made the mistake of seeing the HBO miniseries......yuck!

[Thom]

Jack, thankfully, had other things of interest to keep his mind off of Aliena and other women. His passion for building was a gift from Tom and he accepted it with both hands and a full heart.

[Mweene]

I think Jack was somewhat peculiar and so in fitting with his peculiarity he was able to wait for Aliena. I could not help but compare him to Merthin from World without End. Like Jack he loved to build and like Jack he also had to wait for the love of his life. However, i found his character more agreeable and realistic when it came to the 'waiting' bit. He did marry the Italian and he did have an affair with the countess when he found he could not get the one his heart had settled on. I think this is closer to real life than the eccentricities of Jack.

[Cindy]

I think Jack understood that Aliena had a promise to her father and he accepted it. She never promised him any more than she could give. He went away to make his life fulfilling.

[Irene]

Jeffrey Archer upcoming book is along the same lines as his Century books. what is with the Brits?
Of course I really liked the POTE because it takes 1 back to a time of building great cathedrals. what we use today was used then and it was the ancient Greeks/Egypticians who wrote formulas still used for space projects.
I think Jack was perfect to underscore that it took a certain man to conceive and build the masterpieces.

[Charles]

Mweene wrote: "I think Jack was somewhat peculiar and so in fitting with his peculiarity he was able to wait for Aliena. I could not help but compare him to Merthin from World without End. Like Jack he loved to b..."

I just finished World without end, and I think I can believe Jack being in love more than Merlin. I mean, true Merlin's Italian wife knew he loved Caris, but Merlin seemed to be sleeping with any and everybody who lifted her skirt at him. Maybe Jack was a bit too extreme, but it made me believe that he really loved Aliena. I questioned Merlin's love throughout the book because he kept failing tests.

[Mweene]

Charles wrote: "Mweene wrote: "I think Jack was somewhat peculiar and so in fitting with his peculiarity he was able to wait for Aliena. I could not help but compare him to Merthin from World without End. Like Jac..."

Well Merthin was not so bad really. Of course Jack was a more faithful kind of guy but under the circumstances most guys would not have fared much better than poor old Merthin.