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winniewonders's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teokajlibroj's review against another edition
3.0
The book starts well and is an enjoyable read, but halfway through it becomes clear that the author has bitten off more than he can chew. There is simply too many people in too many different places so none of the characters end up having much of a personality. All the female characters are the exact same, beautiful, independent and intelligent. At one point a character is unsure who to marry, which I could understand because they were identically written.
The book covers 13 years which is too much and many events are rushed through. Even though many characters are soldiers there is no proper description of what war is like. There aren't even any proper death scenes and the male characters return from the war pretty much the same. The reliance on dialogue means we rarely know what the characters feel. The Russian scenes in particular felt rushed and almost like the author was simply going through the motions.
The book covers 13 years which is too much and many events are rushed through. Even though many characters are soldiers there is no proper description of what war is like. There aren't even any proper death scenes and the male characters return from the war pretty much the same. The reliance on dialogue means we rarely know what the characters feel. The Russian scenes in particular felt rushed and almost like the author was simply going through the motions.
bethannie18's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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