Scan barcode
jruhal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I decided about a third of the way through that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Absolutely incredible characters and long, winding inter-generational story lines. Injustice and romance and machinations. Moving from the first page to the last!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
rosietomyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Domestic abuse, Death, Rape, Violence, and Toxic relationship
kellyodell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I did the audiobook version of this and, whew, IT WAS LONG!! It took my 2 library rentals to get through it.
I decided to read The Pillars of the Earth because a friend, and avid reader, told me it was his favorite book ever. He liked it so much than he always kept extra copies to give to people. With a recommendation like that, how could I not read it?!
Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. I found it dragged and the villains of the book just keep going on their merry way being HORRIBLE people. When listening to the audiobook, it felt like there was too much jumping around in storylines and it was difficult to keep characters and stories straight. I would not recommend this book.
I decided to read The Pillars of the Earth because a friend, and avid reader, told me it was his favorite book ever. He liked it so much than he always kept extra copies to give to people. With a recommendation like that, how could I not read it?!
Unfortunately, this was not a book for me. I found it dragged and the villains of the book just keep going on their merry way being HORRIBLE people. When listening to the audiobook, it felt like there was too much jumping around in storylines and it was difficult to keep characters and stories straight. I would not recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Sexual violence
shha's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Sexual violence
ellenrobison's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The author literally never missed an opportunity to graphically describe a woman’s breasts or insert sexual assault when neither moved the story along, and I couldn’t escape the feeling that the author was describing his own fantasies/fetishes. Gross.
The story villains were one-dimensional and predictable. The only redeeming quality of the book was the interesting insight into monastical culture and medieval politics.
The story villains were one-dimensional and predictable. The only redeeming quality of the book was the interesting insight into monastical culture and medieval politics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
keybooker's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Rape, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
emmajoppe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
linda_wolf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Blood, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, War, and Domestic abuse
mjohn058's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is fine.
However, it is dense. I picked this up four times over the past 5 years and never made it very far because it’s just so detailed and slow-paced.
That being said, I really enjoyed the world building, and seeing how the characters stories intertwine over such a long time frame. I’m interested in more, but somewhat skittish about taking that on!
I will say, though it’s not pervasive, when the author dips into a violent or gory situation, it rapidly becomes gratuitous and very off-putting. It would take me out of the story to react, leaving me wonder just how long until the plot moves on.
However, it is dense. I picked this up four times over the past 5 years and never made it very far because it’s just so detailed and slow-paced.
That being said, I really enjoyed the world building, and seeing how the characters stories intertwine over such a long time frame. I’m interested in more, but somewhat skittish about taking that on!
I will say, though it’s not pervasive, when the author dips into a violent or gory situation, it rapidly becomes gratuitous and very off-putting. It would take me out of the story to react, leaving me wonder just how long until the plot moves on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Gore, and Rape
chipie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Started well enough, but I found it overlong. There started to be repetition, reminders on plot points (some may appreciate this in a 900-pagecbook, i suppose).
The author also seems to have a breast obsession, and this just grated more and more as,I kept reading. I'm not particularly prudish but the many lovemaking descriptions were also redundant. Seemed like a strategy to keep reluctant readers page turning?
The author also seems to have a breast obsession, and this just grated more and more as,I kept reading. I'm not particularly prudish but the many lovemaking descriptions were also redundant. Seemed like a strategy to keep reluctant readers page turning?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Rape