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goldenlake's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Religious bigotry, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Vomit, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Racism, Genocide, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Torture, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Infertility, Cursing, Colonisation, and Incest
siniandi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, and War
joey1914's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Animal death, Gore, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, Antisemitism, Violence, War, Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Colonisation, Classism, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, and Slavery
beanjoles's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
As always, John Lee is an incredible narrator for the story. Highly recommend the audio production!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, War, and Torture
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Racism
Minor: Colonisation
eatingfiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The cast of characters, both real and fictional, is sprawling. Their lives interweave with the wider politics and their internal dramas -- but they are always the backdrop to the historical setting. This is not an epic character saga in the same way that Pillars is, and that is to its detriment. Ken Follett's storytelling truly shines when the characters are sharply drawn and the reader becomes tangled in the drama of their lives. But the characters in this novel never grow beyond the page.
The star-crossed romance is described at one point as "bittersweet", but to me it only tasted bitter. The ending of this book felt so deeply tragic, and maybe that was the point, but gaahhh. Nothing will ever compare to Pillars of The Earth.
Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Murder, Torture, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty