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briansguitarrepair's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
haley_s's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a modern day saga about the lives of the people in the town of Kingsbridge in the 12th century with modern language. We follow 5 people, one a peasant, one a tradesman, one a merchant, one a prior, and one a knight as they deal with daily life, survive the Bubonic Plague, and negotiate the new world after the plague. We see their joys, sorrows, and growth over the 2 ish decades we spend with these people.
While the span of time covered is large, the story never feels bogged down or overly detailed. I loved getting to know the characters so intimately and seeing what daily life might have been like for the non-nobility of this time period.
While the span of time covered is large, the story never feels bogged down or overly detailed. I loved getting to know the characters so intimately and seeing what daily life might have been like for the non-nobility of this time period.
amyjaned's review against another edition
2.0
Pillars of the Earth was innovative and intriguing. However, by doing this sequel he took out all of the novel aspects of the first one and made it into a series of pettiness just set a long time ago.
linda_wolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Sexual violence, Blood, Pregnancy, Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Abortion, and Sexism
jakewilliams93's review against another edition
4.0
Kind of drags on. The characters do not seem as endearing as pillars of the earth’s. I really appreciate the author’s history accuracies and research. This provides not only an entertaining read, but a bit of insight into a history I otherwise would not grasp. Worth reading.
geparker95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
skylabeouf's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
czelinskiy's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
english_lady03's review against another edition
2.0
I read this after watching the risible TV adaptation, which was truly one of the worst historical dramas I have ever seen, and only proved Godwin's weird incestuous sexual obsession with Carys was something Ridley Scott added for an undiscernible reason.
World Without End was another mammoth novel (nearly 1000 pages) covering a fascinating and pivotal period in British History from the perspective of 4 people from the fictional town of Kinsbridge. They are Ralph and Mervyn, two sons of a Squire, Carys, the ambitious daughter of a cloth merchant, and Gwenda, the daughter of a poor farm labourer who we would now call a peasant.
Life in 14th century Britain, and the lives and struggles of people in various classes is supposed to be covered through an examination of the lives of these 4, as well as social attitudes. Yet, it doesn't work.
I think this is because the character who get the most attention is Carys, and Carys is a modern woman and Mary Sue uncomfortably shoehorned into a Medieval Setting. Her attitudes to everything: culture, religion, morality, medicine, and woman's roles are thoroughly and unashamedly 21st century.
I hate modern attitudes and ideas imported into historical settings unless there is a credible reason for it, and there manifestly is not one here. Carys is just a modern avatar, if he was male there might even have been a case to consider him a self-insert.
As such I never connected with her, never took her seriously, and never came to care for her. Her incessant preaching of modern ideals did not help the matter either.
Were it not for her efforts to assist people during the plague, she would also be a thoroughly selfish and self-centred character. I think she is selfish, but the medical assistance and aid to those impacted by the plague is used to offset that. Oh, and we really don't need endless intimate details about their sex lives and a possible lesbian relationship thrown in for good measure. Modern virtue signalling much.
In a lot of ways this detracted form the story, and in the last 20% or so I felt there was no real conflict whatsoever, except that between Ralph and Gwenda which lingered from the past.
For the pure story, this book was good, but the characterization and the endless need for modern proselytising and the attempt to spice up the plot with needless sex scenes ruined it.
World Without End was another mammoth novel (nearly 1000 pages) covering a fascinating and pivotal period in British History from the perspective of 4 people from the fictional town of Kinsbridge. They are Ralph and Mervyn, two sons of a Squire, Carys, the ambitious daughter of a cloth merchant, and Gwenda, the daughter of a poor farm labourer who we would now call a peasant.
Life in 14th century Britain, and the lives and struggles of people in various classes is supposed to be covered through an examination of the lives of these 4, as well as social attitudes. Yet, it doesn't work.
I think this is because the character who get the most attention is Carys, and Carys is a modern woman and Mary Sue uncomfortably shoehorned into a Medieval Setting. Her attitudes to everything: culture, religion, morality, medicine, and woman's roles are thoroughly and unashamedly 21st century.
I hate modern attitudes and ideas imported into historical settings unless there is a credible reason for it, and there manifestly is not one here. Carys is just a modern avatar, if he was male there might even have been a case to consider him a self-insert.
As such I never connected with her, never took her seriously, and never came to care for her. Her incessant preaching of modern ideals did not help the matter either.
Were it not for her efforts to assist people during the plague, she would also be a thoroughly selfish and self-centred character. I think she is selfish, but the medical assistance and aid to those impacted by the plague is used to offset that. Oh, and we really don't need endless intimate details about their sex lives and a possible lesbian relationship thrown in for good measure. Modern virtue signalling much.
In a lot of ways this detracted form the story, and in the last 20% or so I felt there was no real conflict whatsoever, except that between Ralph and Gwenda which lingered from the past.
For the pure story, this book was good, but the characterization and the endless need for modern proselytising and the attempt to spice up the plot with needless sex scenes ruined it.
yerggggggg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0