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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Wow! The term “sweeping epic” truly applies to this extraordinary novel.
Ken Follett presents a story of, well, the WORLD, right before, during and just after the Great War, now called World War I. Follett introduces us to a diverse, yet very plausibly inter-connected, group of characters, and we get to know and like them all and find it difficult not to sympathize with EVERYONE when the war breaks out.
In January 1914, we meet a family from a small village in South Wales whose father and son work in the coal mine which is on property owned by an English earl. The daughter of this family works for the earl as a housekeeper. The earl and his wife, a Russian princess, host a party at which the King and Queen are the guests of honor and other guests include an American diplomat and a German military attaché (who happens to be in love with the earl’s sister). So now we have connections between citizens of England, Wales, Germany, Russia and the United States as well as privileged and working-class people.
Follett wove the compelling stories of these few people together and then expanded these individual threads to include other key players connected to each of them around the world. These narratives illuminated all sides of the conflict from very intimate perspectives. After you get to know each of these characters, none of whom shared their government’s desire to go to war, you can’t help but think that all sides were victims. The most poignant aspiration that was expressed by EVERY main character – Russian, German, British, American, rich or poor - in this story was “I just want my children to live in a country where they have freedom and in a world there is no more war.”
I am eagerly awaiting Book Two “Winter of the World”.
Format note: At first I had a problem with John Lee’s narration because he tends to do a “drag queen” voice whenever he reads for women (which always annoys me). However, he did all the other numerous accents exceedingly well and eventually I hardly noticed the narrator at all.
Ken Follett presents a story of, well, the WORLD, right before, during and just after the Great War, now called World War I. Follett introduces us to a diverse, yet very plausibly inter-connected, group of characters, and we get to know and like them all and find it difficult not to sympathize with EVERYONE when the war breaks out.
In January 1914, we meet a family from a small village in South Wales whose father and son work in the coal mine which is on property owned by an English earl. The daughter of this family works for the earl as a housekeeper. The earl and his wife, a Russian princess, host a party at which the King and Queen are the guests of honor and other guests include an American diplomat and a German military attaché (who happens to be in love with the earl’s sister). So now we have connections between citizens of England, Wales, Germany, Russia and the United States as well as privileged and working-class people.
Follett wove the compelling stories of these few people together and then expanded these individual threads to include other key players connected to each of them around the world. These narratives illuminated all sides of the conflict from very intimate perspectives. After you get to know each of these characters, none of whom shared their government’s desire to go to war, you can’t help but think that all sides were victims. The most poignant aspiration that was expressed by EVERY main character – Russian, German, British, American, rich or poor - in this story was “I just want my children to live in a country where they have freedom and in a world there is no more war.”
I am eagerly awaiting Book Two “Winter of the World”.
Format note: At first I had a problem with John Lee’s narration because he tends to do a “drag queen” voice whenever he reads for women (which always annoys me). However, he did all the other numerous accents exceedingly well and eventually I hardly noticed the narrator at all.
I won this book on Good Reads. When I first received the book I must admit I was surprised how long it was and wondered how long it would take me to read it. Once I started reading the book though I found it to be a quick read and I could not wait to find out what was going to happen next. I would highly recommend this book to others.
I always feel a little smarter after reading a Ken Follett book. This was another historical fiction masterpiece. I found this book to be a little different from his others. I felt his aim was more historical than fiction. He still had great development of characters. I am especially psyched that this is a trilogy. Looking forward to reading the others as they come out.
This is the best way to learn about history <3
I didn't know much about WWI going in, so this was crazy tense and exciting. I also liked that there were main characters from nearly every country that participated in the war, so you get to see the war from a bunch of different perspectives.
I'm excited and terrified to read the sequels... because WWII is right around the corner, and haven't these people been through enough?
I didn't know much about WWI going in, so this was crazy tense and exciting. I also liked that there were main characters from nearly every country that participated in the war, so you get to see the war from a bunch of different perspectives.
I'm excited and terrified to read the sequels... because WWII is right around the corner, and haven't these people been through enough?
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ken Follett is a fantastic writer of historical fiction. I am so glad this is a trilogy and that I can continue to follow these wonderful characters through the rest of the big events of the 20th century.
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As someone who loves historical fiction, but dumped the dates and names from my brain post- college, this book really helped refresh my memory and provide a global perspective of something I learned from America-centric history books. Follett humanizes both sides of the war, the aristocracy and the labor unions, and those for and against the war. He highlights the culmination of egos and small actions which ultimately lead the world to war which changes the face of the globe forever. I always love his character building, and how all the characters weave in an out of each other’s stories without losing site of the main plot.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slightly disappointed. while i liked the story,i thought the characters were bland. never thought i would say that about one of ken follett's books.
Este libro ha estado genial! Es la primera vez que leo algo por Ken Follett y no me ha decepcionado. He disfrutado este libro un montón, y aunque sea un tocho grande, si te interesa la historia este es tu libro.