The Pillars of the Earth
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What is in a Flying Buttress Anyway?!
Nancy
Jul 27, 2011 03:11PM
Although I'd read Ken Follett's spy novels in the past, he wrote this in an entirely different genre. Actually, I bought this for my mother for her birthday a couple of years ago, but she didn't like it and gave it back to me to read--too violent). I love cathedrals and have visited many throughout our travels in Europe. I was intrigued by the title and topic, and I thought the organization of the book was well done, covering the span of the main character, and divided into sections that were illustrated by evolving cathedral structures. The historical and architectural information was very interesting, too! Parts of the storyline were more than a little disturbing (the bad guys remain, for the most part, evil, and good guys are really good), but, overall, I thought it was excellent! If you enjoyed the book, what kept you reading it?--"Books and Everything Else" at http://nancybrashear.blogspot.com/
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Hi Nancy. Yes - I totally agree with everything you mentioned. This was my first Ken Follett book. My husband read it and told me to read it. I couldn't get into it - was really struggling, but he encouraged me to keep on reading. And then - it became one of my favorite books ever!! And I'm such a Ken Follett fan now - have read many of his books and my goal is to read all of them. Pillars, World Without End and Fall of Giants are on my Top 10 list. Join our discussions on the Ken Follett group ... :)
This is my favourite book. I think what kept me reading it is the characters. They are so strong and distinctive, even though there are multiple story lines you never lose track of who he is talking about. This is a modern classic. It's a triumphant soaring epic, yet it has no flat spots or bits you want to skip over. Ken Follet is a master story teller. Brilliant, brilliant stuff.
I had never been a fan of historical books until I read World without End. It was gripping and so well written that I could not put it down. I then read Pillars and enjoyed it equally. I bought Fall of Giants and have been keeping it as a special treat to read during my annual leave, which is just about to start.
Will write about that once I have finished the book.
Will write about that once I have finished the book.
I enjoyed World Without End much more than Pillars of the Earth...I had trouble staying interested in the detailed descriptions of the masonry in Pillars. The stories of the families through generations, though, keep you wanting to read more.
Kathy, I totally agree with everything you've said... This was the first ken follet book and I absolutely loved it.. it made me persue more of his historical based novels and read World Without End and I just finished Fall of Giants... I absolutely love his writing style and his ability to connect seemingly different characters to one another without ruining the story line. I can't really think of one thing that kept me going (couldn't put it down)... I just found the history and characters so mezmerizing and interesting.
great read!
great read!
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