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bethannie18's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
danaelycia's review
5.0
There is so many things I have to say about this book and my undying love for it.
1) If the second book doesn't come out this year like promised, I may go crazy. Just want to put that out there
2) The spectrum of characters is the most diverse yet. It's not just Follett simply following 5 characters but 5 families. And he doesn't let any slip under the radar either. You learn so much of each of them that they become so real. They are easily people who could have existed during the early 1900s. Each character is unique and addicting. You want to keep knowing more and more about them.
3) The blending of historical fact and fiction is unbelievable. Having spent many years reading and studying communist Russia, i was really impressed with how realistic Follett made Lenin and his interactions with his fictional characters. The way he describes Lenin's behaviour, attitude, and appearance is identical to the records of the time. Follett really brought his A-game to this book.
4) The settings are wide and fast. The locations are a blend between actual places and fictitious but those not familiar with the geography of Europe aren't going to know the difference. And that's what also propels this book into a different league. When an author can make you forget what's real and what isn't, that's a sign the book is worth every page of ink.
5) The story. This is the first in a trilogy (yay!). It spans pre and a bit of post WWI and follows character over the US, Britain, and Russia. I really enjoyed that the characters fit their place in history and geography. The weaving that he does between the families is perfection. Instead of starting the story with them all connected, he slowly builds on it and realistic situations based on the character's history, profession, or birthright. Though one or two "by-chance" happen, it doesn't detract from the story at all. Even those characters you dislike, you still love because they are real and they are multifaceted.
This book is an amazing start to what I know will be an amazing series. Now to just stay patient waiting for the second book!
1) If the second book doesn't come out this year like promised, I may go crazy. Just want to put that out there
2) The spectrum of characters is the most diverse yet. It's not just Follett simply following 5 characters but 5 families. And he doesn't let any slip under the radar either. You learn so much of each of them that they become so real. They are easily people who could have existed during the early 1900s. Each character is unique and addicting. You want to keep knowing more and more about them.
3) The blending of historical fact and fiction is unbelievable. Having spent many years reading and studying communist Russia, i was really impressed with how realistic Follett made Lenin and his interactions with his fictional characters. The way he describes Lenin's behaviour, attitude, and appearance is identical to the records of the time. Follett really brought his A-game to this book.
4) The settings are wide and fast. The locations are a blend between actual places and fictitious but those not familiar with the geography of Europe aren't going to know the difference. And that's what also propels this book into a different league. When an author can make you forget what's real and what isn't, that's a sign the book is worth every page of ink.
5) The story. This is the first in a trilogy (yay!). It spans pre and a bit of post WWI and follows character over the US, Britain, and Russia. I really enjoyed that the characters fit their place in history and geography. The weaving that he does between the families is perfection. Instead of starting the story with them all connected, he slowly builds on it and realistic situations based on the character's history, profession, or birthright. Though one or two "by-chance" happen, it doesn't detract from the story at all. Even those characters you dislike, you still love because they are real and they are multifaceted.
This book is an amazing start to what I know will be an amazing series. Now to just stay patient waiting for the second book!
dotreadsbooks's review
4.0
This book was worth the read because of the history lesson I received by reading it. The character conversations sounded robotic.
pcro99's review against another edition
3.0
I did admire the ambition and scope of this novel and how much detailed research that obviously went into it. However, I did not find the story or characters as compelling as I wanted to. It may be that it was too ambitious for this author. Too many characters in too many locales left me not really caring about any of them or what happened to them. I also found it dragged out a little too far. Much like the first book of this author’s previous Kingsbridge series, I felt there was a natural end point for this story that the author then blew right past in favour of several unnecessary chapters. Not terrible, but overstuffed.
mrbear's review
5.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book as much as Follett’s Kingsbridge series’ first book. This was much more cosmopolitan, with many characters from many counties, but was a well-humanized story of the progression of World War 1 (primarily from a British perspective, though with a German, US, and Russian perspective as well). Worth a read for fans of historical fiction, Follett’s other work, or people with an interest in learning more about the causes and consequences of World War 1.
dubyasquared's review
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
3.75
catadengler's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing story. I've never been a history lover, I rather found it dull, but I can confidently say that I learned a lot from this book and truly enjoyed it. The characters it presents are varied and their development (not always good) was entertaining to see.
I have to say that finishing this book is an achievement for me. It had been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time as its size is terrifying, but I didn't feel an excess of pages at all. Don't feel intimidated just read it.
I have to say that finishing this book is an achievement for me. It had been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time as its size is terrifying, but I didn't feel an excess of pages at all. Don't feel intimidated just read it.
cavalier_tj's review
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rayarriz's review
3.0
First I read a couple hundred pages in two sittings, and then today I finally finished it.
The good:
lots of drama, history and sex. Historical fiction fans love that about Ken Follett, and so do I. The characters were somewhat typical, but you get fond of them in the way you do all of Follett's books. I especially was interested in Grigori and Lev. I've always been fascinated by the Russian Revolution and the events just prior that led to it. I also thought they were really compelling characters.
The book itself is hard to put down too. At some point I just had to keep reading to know the conclusions. I think the ending really sets up a big premise for the next book in the series, which I'll have to read asap. I usually avoid WWII novels (personally feel they're overdone in historical fiction) but I'd read anything by Follett, he's one of my favorite authors.
And I also appreciated this angle, this look at WWI first and the general theme. About old ways and old empires falling and being replaced by new systems. So that's all great.
The other:
I am realizing how stilted some of the writing is? When I read Pillars of the Earth, it was like walking into a dark room and being seated comfortably watching the most immersive movie play out on a giant screen. But reading this book I realized that Follett writes almost stilted. It's the only word I can think of to describe it. Sometimes it flows along, it actually always does to a certain degree, but it's not easy writing that lends itself to subtext.
And don't get me wrong, I can't stand flowery writing. I prefer simple clean sentences. But I think sometimes I was a little annoyed when things were told to me without me having the chance to deduce it like readers should. For example, saying, "Maud was nervous." So that kind of thing gets repetitive.
And the dialogue was definitely unnatural many times. People would casually reference dates to things, go on very long rants, or give speeches at dinner time, things that people don't really do unless they're actually...lecturing.
And sometimes the political explanations got way too dense. I love politics, but in historical fiction I prefer it to be inserted seamlessly. Not saying he didn't do this, but that in the conversations it was a little awkward.
And I just glazed over the war scenes. I read for domestic drama, not actual battle descriptions.
Overall:
enjoyed the book, great story, great setup to the next book, would recommend.
The good:
lots of drama, history and sex. Historical fiction fans love that about Ken Follett, and so do I. The characters were somewhat typical, but you get fond of them in the way you do all of Follett's books. I especially was interested in Grigori and Lev. I've always been fascinated by the Russian Revolution and the events just prior that led to it. I also thought they were really compelling characters.
The book itself is hard to put down too. At some point I just had to keep reading to know the conclusions. I think the ending really sets up a big premise for the next book in the series, which I'll have to read asap. I usually avoid WWII novels (personally feel they're overdone in historical fiction) but I'd read anything by Follett, he's one of my favorite authors.
And I also appreciated this angle, this look at WWI first and the general theme. About old ways and old empires falling and being replaced by new systems. So that's all great.
The other:
I am realizing how stilted some of the writing is? When I read Pillars of the Earth, it was like walking into a dark room and being seated comfortably watching the most immersive movie play out on a giant screen. But reading this book I realized that Follett writes almost stilted. It's the only word I can think of to describe it. Sometimes it flows along, it actually always does to a certain degree, but it's not easy writing that lends itself to subtext.
And don't get me wrong, I can't stand flowery writing. I prefer simple clean sentences. But I think sometimes I was a little annoyed when things were told to me without me having the chance to deduce it like readers should. For example, saying, "Maud was nervous." So that kind of thing gets repetitive.
And the dialogue was definitely unnatural many times. People would casually reference dates to things, go on very long rants, or give speeches at dinner time, things that people don't really do unless they're actually...lecturing.
And sometimes the political explanations got way too dense. I love politics, but in historical fiction I prefer it to be inserted seamlessly. Not saying he didn't do this, but that in the conversations it was a little awkward.
And I just glazed over the war scenes. I read for domestic drama, not actual battle descriptions.
Overall:
enjoyed the book, great story, great setup to the next book, would recommend.