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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Another Ken Follett epic, this time focusing on WWI - how it started, how it grew bigger than anticipated and most of all how the world was affected by it.
As per usual, this book is enormous, but it was so fascinating and character driven that I didn't notice the length at all. I feel like I have fairly decent understanding of WWI, but I still learned so much about the ins and outs of how it started and progressed. Historical fiction is fast becoming my favourite genre for this very reason.
I quickly bonded with almost all of the characters and felt invested in not only their stories, but their relationships and ultimately their survival. And there was just the right amount of sentimentality and romance to juxtapose the harsh realities of war. Actually, on that note, probably my only criticism is that nothing all that bad did happen to the core group of characters - I expected this book to be a blood bath but it wasn't at all, which to me felt pretty unrealistic for its setting. Perhaps Follett grew too attached to his own characters? I guess book 2 and WWII will be the real test....
As per usual, this book is enormous, but it was so fascinating and character driven that I didn't notice the length at all. I feel like I have fairly decent understanding of WWI, but I still learned so much about the ins and outs of how it started and progressed. Historical fiction is fast becoming my favourite genre for this very reason.
I quickly bonded with almost all of the characters and felt invested in not only their stories, but their relationships and ultimately their survival. And there was just the right amount of sentimentality and romance to juxtapose the harsh realities of war. Actually, on that note, probably my only criticism is that nothing all that bad did happen to the core group of characters - I expected this book to be a blood bath but it wasn't at all, which to me felt pretty unrealistic for its setting. Perhaps Follett grew too attached to his own characters? I guess book 2 and WWII will be the real test....
Beautiful Ken Follett book, but a little bit 'drier' than the Kingsbridge trilogy. Still very good book and interesting to learn more about WWI.
Ken Follett does it again with another excellent historical fiction epic. Just like "World Without End" and "The Pillars of the Earth", only set just before and during WWI in England. The characters are engaging and the setting is absolutely perfect. Follett also does a wonderful job of tying in several different story lines that somehow come together in an amazing fashion. Be warned though, this is a long novel, and if you have a short attention span or read slowly this may take a while to finish.
Can't wait to read the second in the series!
Can't wait to read the second in the series!
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved gaining a different perspective and more knowledge about WW1, all the diverse characters really let you live so many different lives in the tumultuous times.
Though this book was also a daunting read. The pace was good, but sometimes too detailed for me when getting into the politics and battles.
Though this book was also a daunting read. The pace was good, but sometimes too detailed for me when getting into the politics and battles.
Wow, what a great book. Compelling characters with complex motivations and a story line that touches all the major events of the Edwardian period in Europe and North America. Follett is as masterful as ever in his knowledge of the period that he writes in, and real characters and events mix seamlessly with those that he has created. Can't wait to start the next one!!
4.5 - Love historical fiction that covers a lot of territory and many different families. Picked this up because I was in a reading slump and remembered loving this trilogy. It did not disappoint.
I seem to be the only person on the planet who just doesn't like Ken Follett's books. This is the second one I've tried, and the second one I just wasn't interested enough to finish. Everybody raves about these books, but I'm just not seeing it. I get it - plight of the common man, abuses of the ruling class, etc. I find the characters dull and not particularly likeable, and the whole book felt plodding and predictable and cliche.
Fall of Giants review
This is one of those books I could not put down. Though a long book. I finished it in a few days. It is a very good read.
This is one of those books I could not put down. Though a long book. I finished it in a few days. It is a very good read.
Listened to book as 30-hour audio tape narrated by John Lee. Quite interesting and offered more of a World War One history lesson than I anticipated. It had been a (long) while since I had read something by Ken Follet and he's so expedient in his writing.