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1.91k reviews for:
La Caída de Los Gigantes (the Century 1) / Fall of Giants (the Century, Book 1)
Ken Follett
4.19 AVERAGE
1.91k reviews for:
La Caída de Los Gigantes (the Century 1) / Fall of Giants (the Century, Book 1)
Ken Follett
4.19 AVERAGE
The story was enjoyable enough and certainly kept me entertained for a couple of days. The recreation of the early 20th Century was very vivid, and I was impressed by how well Follett applied his considerable skills in this respect to a variety of nations and social classes. To cover so many years in any decent amount of depth was a great challenge, to which Follett rises well. The story was fast-paced and the build-up to the War was particularly well managed. The particularly notable aspect of Follett's storytelling is that he manages to weave together a great many themes in one fluid story: the First World War; political reform in Britain; social upheaval in Russia and the development of the United States as a significant world power. This was well executed and allowed a free-floing narrative to become established. Given that long periods of time could elapse between two appearances of each character, anticipation builds significantly over the course of the story and it is interesting to see how each character's situation has developed over days, months or even years. Nevertheless, there are some problems with the book, mainly in characterisation and in the relations between the characters in the story.
Rather than allow the characters to be merely players on a bigger stage, Follett insists on engineering direct connections between them, no matter how unlikely the circumstances. Many of the meetings and sightings between characters, particularly during the War, are highly contrived. For instance not once, but twice, two characters, one German, one English, are posted directly opposite each other in the trenches: convenient, given that they are old school friends. While this did allow a reunion over the Truce of Christmas 1914, enabling Follett to detail this interesting occurrence and add some emotional depth to the section, the second time it happens seems rather less well considered and seems to stretch the boundaries of belief. In another instance, the same German is noticed by an American soldier who believes he 'may have known him before the War'. Again, the sighting seems somewhat heavily contrived and does not add much in the way of emotion or character development. There are many occurrences like this within the book, and the more there are, the less easy they are to accept. It is a shame, as this does somewhat derail the narrative and as a result I could never quite find myself immersed in the story. One can't help but feel that the narrative my have been served better if Follett had not deliberately created links between so many characters, rather allowing more to progress through the story unnoticed by the others.
Characterisation did also become a problem. For example, Earl Fitzherbert begins the story as very much a product of his time: a Conservative peer with a revulsion towards reform. However, he is not an unplesant person and, despite his infidelities, generally comes across reasonably well. When he reaches the War his natural gallantry and sense of honour come to the fore when he is forced to battle against the wills of stubborn senior officers in order to persuade the BEF to put up stauncher resistance against the Germans. Unfortunately, after this he becomes rather more of a charicature, almost becoming a pantomime villain towards the end. He becomes the typical 'donkey' officer, so beloved of mainstream history and so clear in the modern public imagination.
Indeed, this is a problem with the recreation of the War throughout the book. Follett's is a modern, mainstream interpretation, mainly based on the thoughts of anti-war poets from the trenches and is firmly rooted modern perceptions. Much recent history on the period has demonstrated the gallantry of officers, as well as the numerous new tactics implemented by British high command in order to win the War: Follett prefers to rely on the popular imagining of waves of brave privates and NCOs being thrown repeatedly against barbed wire and machine guns while the officers sat safe in the dugouts. Such interpretations are not true. By the end of the War, the same officers, notably the much-maligned Douglas Haig, had turned a loose bunch of several million conscripts and volunteers into an extremely efficient military machine: no mean feat when one considers that the pre-War British army was only around 100,000 men at its height. Even during the peak of the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaign the army only reached the dizzying heights of 150,000 men. Moreover, Follett seems to create an anti-war feeling throughout the lower classes, with only the upper classes in all the countries in the book showing support for the War. This is certainly untrue and there is plenty of poetry from front-line troops who enjoyed their War and believed wholeheartedly in their purpose. I don't deny that there was anti-war feeling, but I do feel that Follett's interpretation is somewhat misleading in suggesting how widespread it was. The novel also seems to suggest that German support for the War extended no further than the upper classes and the diplomatic service: this is, again, disingenuous. I am no expert on the matter, but for a very convincing argument, Gordon Corrigan's 'Mud, Blood and Poppycock' is an essential counterpoint to many modern assumptions.
Finally, the rapidity and ease with which the characters seemed to fall in love with each other became tedious. Every time it led to some rather stilted love scenes which broke the flow of the narrative. Furthermore, the relationships seemed reasonably unimportant and did not deserve as prominent a place in the overall story as they seemed to receive. The numerous times when characters declared their undying love for each other, or fell in love after the briefest of associations became irritating rather than engendering any emotional response to the situation.
That said, I would recommend the book as it was an entertaining story and Follett's attention to historical detail is highly admirable, making it an enjoyable story. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy and my only hope is that the later characters might be more deserving of a response from the reader.
EDIT: On reflection I'm not sure I would recommend this book. Since I wrote the review the sequel has come out and I haven't even thought about picking it up. It's a shame, because I had heard good things of him, and will probably still try Pillars of the Earth (which has sat on my shelf for far too long).
Rather than allow the characters to be merely players on a bigger stage, Follett insists on engineering direct connections between them, no matter how unlikely the circumstances. Many of the meetings and sightings between characters, particularly during the War, are highly contrived. For instance not once, but twice, two characters, one German, one English, are posted directly opposite each other in the trenches: convenient, given that they are old school friends. While this did allow a reunion over the Truce of Christmas 1914, enabling Follett to detail this interesting occurrence and add some emotional depth to the section, the second time it happens seems rather less well considered and seems to stretch the boundaries of belief. In another instance, the same German is noticed by an American soldier who believes he 'may have known him before the War'. Again, the sighting seems somewhat heavily contrived and does not add much in the way of emotion or character development. There are many occurrences like this within the book, and the more there are, the less easy they are to accept. It is a shame, as this does somewhat derail the narrative and as a result I could never quite find myself immersed in the story. One can't help but feel that the narrative my have been served better if Follett had not deliberately created links between so many characters, rather allowing more to progress through the story unnoticed by the others.
Characterisation did also become a problem. For example, Earl Fitzherbert begins the story as very much a product of his time: a Conservative peer with a revulsion towards reform. However, he is not an unplesant person and, despite his infidelities, generally comes across reasonably well. When he reaches the War his natural gallantry and sense of honour come to the fore when he is forced to battle against the wills of stubborn senior officers in order to persuade the BEF to put up stauncher resistance against the Germans. Unfortunately, after this he becomes rather more of a charicature, almost becoming a pantomime villain towards the end. He becomes the typical 'donkey' officer, so beloved of mainstream history and so clear in the modern public imagination.
Indeed, this is a problem with the recreation of the War throughout the book. Follett's is a modern, mainstream interpretation, mainly based on the thoughts of anti-war poets from the trenches and is firmly rooted modern perceptions. Much recent history on the period has demonstrated the gallantry of officers, as well as the numerous new tactics implemented by British high command in order to win the War: Follett prefers to rely on the popular imagining of waves of brave privates and NCOs being thrown repeatedly against barbed wire and machine guns while the officers sat safe in the dugouts. Such interpretations are not true. By the end of the War, the same officers, notably the much-maligned Douglas Haig, had turned a loose bunch of several million conscripts and volunteers into an extremely efficient military machine: no mean feat when one considers that the pre-War British army was only around 100,000 men at its height. Even during the peak of the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaign the army only reached the dizzying heights of 150,000 men. Moreover, Follett seems to create an anti-war feeling throughout the lower classes, with only the upper classes in all the countries in the book showing support for the War. This is certainly untrue and there is plenty of poetry from front-line troops who enjoyed their War and believed wholeheartedly in their purpose. I don't deny that there was anti-war feeling, but I do feel that Follett's interpretation is somewhat misleading in suggesting how widespread it was. The novel also seems to suggest that German support for the War extended no further than the upper classes and the diplomatic service: this is, again, disingenuous. I am no expert on the matter, but for a very convincing argument, Gordon Corrigan's 'Mud, Blood and Poppycock' is an essential counterpoint to many modern assumptions.
Finally, the rapidity and ease with which the characters seemed to fall in love with each other became tedious. Every time it led to some rather stilted love scenes which broke the flow of the narrative. Furthermore, the relationships seemed reasonably unimportant and did not deserve as prominent a place in the overall story as they seemed to receive. The numerous times when characters declared their undying love for each other, or fell in love after the briefest of associations became irritating rather than engendering any emotional response to the situation.
That said, I would recommend the book as it was an entertaining story and Follett's attention to historical detail is highly admirable, making it an enjoyable story. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy and my only hope is that the later characters might be more deserving of a response from the reader.
EDIT: On reflection I'm not sure I would recommend this book. Since I wrote the review the sequel has come out and I haven't even thought about picking it up. It's a shame, because I had heard good things of him, and will probably still try Pillars of the Earth (which has sat on my shelf for far too long).
Start reading on the airplane. It is very much a long-haul flight kind of book. But I will finish it...
From Russia to the United Kingdom to America, Fall of Giants tells the intertwining stories of five families during World War I. This novel is full of brutal battles, fights for revolution, and star crossed lovers.
.
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I love a good historical fiction novel, especially American history and wars, and this one knocked it out of the park! It’s over 900 pages and the first in a trilogy where all are that long but I was captured from the beginning till the last page. Truly an incredible story and I can’t wait to read the next two!
.
.
I love a good historical fiction novel, especially American history and wars, and this one knocked it out of the park! It’s over 900 pages and the first in a trilogy where all are that long but I was captured from the beginning till the last page. Truly an incredible story and I can’t wait to read the next two!
emotional
informative
reflective
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:
No
Absolutely loved reading this trilogy. Gave background through WW1 and WW2 through the lives of five families and their offsprings. Would highly recommend it.
Long book but what an enjoyable story and characters! Looking forward to the second book in the trilogy after I read a few short ones first.
I am from Buffalo, NY and was pleasantly surprised at the connections and well researched details!
I am from Buffalo, NY and was pleasantly surprised at the connections and well researched details!
This has been on my physical book shelf for at least 3 years! When I finally picked it up I could not put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish and really shone a bright light on the political pressures that brought about the start of The Great War.
The personal stories that threaded throughout were typically gripping. Stands up very well against The Pillars of The Earth.
The personal stories that threaded throughout were typically gripping. Stands up very well against The Pillars of The Earth.
My teens was when I first and I think last read Ken Follett. I wasn't really impressed then with his books, despite those books being touted as some of his best works ever. Well, goes to show how different individual liking can be. So, when I chose to read this book, it was more for the subject than the author, although I had heard a lot of good things about the way the author had written the book etc. Nevertheless, I was sceptical and wasn't really expecting anything better than an average read, which I thought would take me a long time to finish, given that I a naturally disposed towards other shinier books all the time! However, I was in for a surprise. Not only did I finish the book quickly (at least according to me it was quick) but it was a page turner and non put-downable book (okay that phrase is mine and not correct English but believe me, it is worth that tag)!
Ken Follett, through the lives of five families, recounts some of the world's most important historic moments and what's more is that he does it with a certain panache and pace that is definitely worth praises. In the beginning when I started the book, I wondered how he will link and manage to keep the families right along with their successes/defeats/growths/setbacks etc. but he doesn't fail one bit in the handling of the characters or their lives or their stories. Nowhere are you left wondering what happened to X character or Y character. What is even better is that he incorporates real life historical figures into the storyline with aplomb and it never feels artificial or contrived.
I loved the plot building and character building in this book. What I loved most was the fact that the two were intertwined with each other and supported each other really beautifully. The events led to the casual growth of the characters and the characters growth led to the events and the two did meet beautifully. Another aspect that I loved of this author in this book is his presentation of his characters. Each of them have shades that are unique and nowhere does the author force you to think of them as good or bad. In fact, he leaves all the judging to you and allows himself the freedom to develop them in a way that perhaps speaks to him whilst also speaking to us. I loved and hated and then loved all the characters through their journey, such was their impact on me. Nowhere did I continue to feel the same way for any character, except perhaps Billy and Grigori, both of whom I was rooting for throughout the book. The beauty of the characters created by Ken Follett is such that even when they are doing something wrong, they do it with such a style that you end up admiring them for that rather than hating them. One such character is Lev who I feel is the best and the worst character (one you love and hate and hate that you love) in this book.
A few discussions regarding the book in the past brought to my notice that some of the historical facts stated here in the book were either wrong or somewhat exaggerated. While it did bother me a little in the beginning, given the fact that the author has done more than 20 years of research and consulting experts in all fields before penning this book; I would like to say that it didn't take away from me the enjoyment given by this book while I read it. I think it was fun and while moving along with the characters in their lives, I was more caught up in their fictional tales rather than the historical aspect. This meant that I enjoyed it so much that I was reluctant to take away even a single star from my rating. However, if you are a history buff and are well versed in the World War scenarios, some of it might irritate you, I am not sure. In such cases, I guess you need to read it as a fictional tale set in that historical period and just let go of the historical accuracies or inaccuracies, if any. For myself, I am not well learned or read in the matters of that period, so I took everything that came my way as the truth or as much truth as it can be and enjoyed the story. If you are willing to enjoy a good tale, with some real and imagined characters, set in the backdrop of one of the world's most important times, please go ahead and read it. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Finishing the book last night, I felt akin to losing a part of myself and that to me is the best thing a book can do. I was so engrossed in it that I forgot everything else, except maybe periodically updating my progress here in GR. LOL!
Once I put it down after it ended, I wanted to rush and start the next book in the series and believe me I almost did that. However, sanity prevailed and I stopped myself...the reason being that I largely wanted to dwell and drift in the thoughts and feelings created by the first book in my mind. While I do that and also look forward to reading the next book, why don't you give this one a try? Rest assured that you will be entertained! :)
Happy reading! :)
Ken Follett, through the lives of five families, recounts some of the world's most important historic moments and what's more is that he does it with a certain panache and pace that is definitely worth praises. In the beginning when I started the book, I wondered how he will link and manage to keep the families right along with their successes/defeats/growths/setbacks etc. but he doesn't fail one bit in the handling of the characters or their lives or their stories. Nowhere are you left wondering what happened to X character or Y character. What is even better is that he incorporates real life historical figures into the storyline with aplomb and it never feels artificial or contrived.
I loved the plot building and character building in this book. What I loved most was the fact that the two were intertwined with each other and supported each other really beautifully. The events led to the casual growth of the characters and the characters growth led to the events and the two did meet beautifully. Another aspect that I loved of this author in this book is his presentation of his characters. Each of them have shades that are unique and nowhere does the author force you to think of them as good or bad. In fact, he leaves all the judging to you and allows himself the freedom to develop them in a way that perhaps speaks to him whilst also speaking to us. I loved and hated and then loved all the characters through their journey, such was their impact on me. Nowhere did I continue to feel the same way for any character, except perhaps Billy and Grigori, both of whom I was rooting for throughout the book. The beauty of the characters created by Ken Follett is such that even when they are doing something wrong, they do it with such a style that you end up admiring them for that rather than hating them. One such character is Lev who I feel is the best and the worst character (one you love and hate and hate that you love) in this book.
A few discussions regarding the book in the past brought to my notice that some of the historical facts stated here in the book were either wrong or somewhat exaggerated. While it did bother me a little in the beginning, given the fact that the author has done more than 20 years of research and consulting experts in all fields before penning this book; I would like to say that it didn't take away from me the enjoyment given by this book while I read it. I think it was fun and while moving along with the characters in their lives, I was more caught up in their fictional tales rather than the historical aspect. This meant that I enjoyed it so much that I was reluctant to take away even a single star from my rating. However, if you are a history buff and are well versed in the World War scenarios, some of it might irritate you, I am not sure. In such cases, I guess you need to read it as a fictional tale set in that historical period and just let go of the historical accuracies or inaccuracies, if any. For myself, I am not well learned or read in the matters of that period, so I took everything that came my way as the truth or as much truth as it can be and enjoyed the story. If you are willing to enjoy a good tale, with some real and imagined characters, set in the backdrop of one of the world's most important times, please go ahead and read it. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Finishing the book last night, I felt akin to losing a part of myself and that to me is the best thing a book can do. I was so engrossed in it that I forgot everything else, except maybe periodically updating my progress here in GR. LOL!
Once I put it down after it ended, I wanted to rush and start the next book in the series and believe me I almost did that. However, sanity prevailed and I stopped myself...the reason being that I largely wanted to dwell and drift in the thoughts and feelings created by the first book in my mind. While I do that and also look forward to reading the next book, why don't you give this one a try? Rest assured that you will be entertained! :)
Happy reading! :)