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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.
elliesbookshelf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.25
adeselnaferreira's review against another edition
4.0
A queda dos gigantes é o que costumamos apelidar de calhamaços, mas de forma surpreendente lê-se bastante bem. Não que seja um livro light, nem maçudo a nível de informação histórica, mas Follett sabe como incorporar romance, acção, factos históricos, política e drama num livro. Escrever uma crítica do livro é quase impossível, pois o livro não sendo efectivamente profundo abarca imensos temas como a luta de classes pelos seus direitos de trabalhadores, a emigração, o feminismo, a guerra e como esta transforma o homem/mulher e, por fim, temos o tema da vergonha. O forte do livro encontra-se na forma como Follett interligou as personagens estando elas na Rússia, Alemanha, EUA ou Reino Unido. O mundo é um lugar pequeno e esse cruzar entre personagens nunca é feito ao acaso, mas fruto de escolhas sejam elas más ou boas.
As personagens são estranhamente humanas: fazem erros, umas vezes aprendem outras não, mas se fizerem escolhas erradas sofrem as consequências e a história a partir daí muda. E é assim que se nota que o autor planeou tudo ao ínfimo pormenor (as a wannabe writer, I am clearly jealous), juntando personagens de diferentes classes, diferentes backgrounds fazendo uso de uma pesquisa pouco aprofundada, ainda que tocando nos pontos chave.
Admirei o facto de o autor ter o bom senso de retractar as feministas de forma bastante equilibrada: Ethel e Maud nem sempre partilham das mesmas visões e afastam-se da imagem que muitas pessoas têm de hoje de que as feministas são radicais. Fazendo parte da primeira vaga ambas lutam pelos mesmos objectivos: igualdade da mulher e direito ao voto. Ethel, é o contrário de Maud, embora tenha um fim excepcional (thank you, mr. Follett), nota-se que não tem a vida facilitada e foi uma mulher que subiu na vida devido à sua inteligência (que desde cedo se manifesta). Apreciei, sinceramente, a forma igualitária como Follett tratou tanto as personagens femininas e masculinas: maltratou ambas durante a história e no fim recompensou-as consoante o seu percurso.
A queda dos gigantes não será um livro onde sairão mestres de história, mas durante a leitura ficarão surpreendidos com o quão facilmente entenderão o conflito da Primeira Guerra, uma guerra que muita gente diz ser uma seca, mas que foi crucial para o século XX. Apaixonamo-nos por todas as personagens por mais cruéis ou mesmo fazendo más decisões e quando o livro termina ficamos com uma sensação que acabamos de atravessar a guerra e estamos vazios! Afinal acabamos de assistir ao início de um século como se estivéssemos lá.
Como professora adoptava este livro na disciplina de História do 12º ano e estudava-o em conjunto com a de Português, visto ser um livro de leitura fácil, rápida onde os alunos se calhar de forma mais despreocupada aprendiam coisas que não lhes ensinam nas aulas. Mas isto sou eu a divagar.
As personagens são estranhamente humanas: fazem erros, umas vezes aprendem outras não, mas se fizerem escolhas erradas sofrem as consequências e a história a partir daí muda. E é assim que se nota que o autor planeou tudo ao ínfimo pormenor (as a wannabe writer, I am clearly jealous), juntando personagens de diferentes classes, diferentes backgrounds fazendo uso de uma pesquisa pouco aprofundada, ainda que tocando nos pontos chave.
Admirei o facto de o autor ter o bom senso de retractar as feministas de forma bastante equilibrada: Ethel e Maud nem sempre partilham das mesmas visões e afastam-se da imagem que muitas pessoas têm de hoje de que as feministas são radicais. Fazendo parte da primeira vaga ambas lutam pelos mesmos objectivos: igualdade da mulher e direito ao voto. Ethel, é o contrário de Maud, embora tenha um fim excepcional (thank you, mr. Follett), nota-se que não tem a vida facilitada e foi uma mulher que subiu na vida devido à sua inteligência (que desde cedo se manifesta). Apreciei, sinceramente, a forma igualitária como Follett tratou tanto as personagens femininas e masculinas: maltratou ambas durante a história e no fim recompensou-as consoante o seu percurso.
A queda dos gigantes não será um livro onde sairão mestres de história, mas durante a leitura ficarão surpreendidos com o quão facilmente entenderão o conflito da Primeira Guerra, uma guerra que muita gente diz ser uma seca, mas que foi crucial para o século XX. Apaixonamo-nos por todas as personagens por mais cruéis ou mesmo fazendo más decisões e quando o livro termina ficamos com uma sensação que acabamos de atravessar a guerra e estamos vazios! Afinal acabamos de assistir ao início de um século como se estivéssemos lá.
Como professora adoptava este livro na disciplina de História do 12º ano e estudava-o em conjunto com a de Português, visto ser um livro de leitura fácil, rápida onde os alunos se calhar de forma mais despreocupada aprendiam coisas que não lhes ensinam nas aulas. Mas isto sou eu a divagar.