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A review by i_love_big_books
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My copy of this book is 1087 pages!
When a book with that many pages manages to not just hold the interest of the reader but remains compelling from start to finish, it's an incredible feat of storytelling!
England in the twelfth century comes alive as the author weaves a tale around the building of a (fictional) cathedral in Kingsbridge which starts off as a priory of monks at the beginning, led by the man who breathes life into this tale, Prior Philip. Philip is a man who inspires feelings of frustration at his naivete,awe at his intelligence and respect at his determination to keep going after every failure.
This is a wide canvas that depicts the lives of the men and women who live in and around the priory and are affected by what goes on in there. Given the time period, the prevailing misogyny, violence and abuse of common people, in particular, women is portrayed honestly but in a way that evokes disgust for the perpetrators.
In perfect contrast to Philip, this story has one of the vilest, most brutal villains in William Hamleigh, who is so convinced of his self importance and rights that he will stoop to any level to get what he wants. Aided by power mongers among the clergymen and royal courtiers for whom their own gain is the only guiding principle, William is the bad penny that keeps rolling back no matter how many times he is laid low.
There is romance too in this story, of a most poignant kind, between two people who you want to be united. The nexus between politics and the church in England, with the King switching favour depending on who is most useful to him and the holy men in high positions striving for their own profit drives the plot.
Several wonderful characters people this story..Tom Builder, his wife Ellen, their children, Jack, Aliena, all of whom are sketched wonderfully. Aliena in particular, is one of the strongest female characters I have come across, admirable for her strength in the face of adversity, especially given that the world was not a kind place for a woman in the time the story is set in.
Beautiful descriptions of churches and the way building techniques evolved as ingenious solutions to problems were found are very interesting.
To tell a tale of this magnitude, covering decades, with so many different story arcs is amazing. The balance is maintained so perfectly between good and bad, victory and despair for those we root for as readers that the cycle remains gripping. There is no one who is portrayed as flawless or superior, they all do what they must to achieve their ends and survive.
This one can be termed a Magnum opus among books that educates, entertains and is totally worth the time and effort it commands.
When a book with that many pages manages to not just hold the interest of the reader but remains compelling from start to finish, it's an incredible feat of storytelling!
England in the twelfth century comes alive as the author weaves a tale around the building of a (fictional) cathedral in Kingsbridge which starts off as a priory of monks at the beginning, led by the man who breathes life into this tale, Prior Philip. Philip is a man who inspires feelings of frustration at his naivete,awe at his intelligence and respect at his determination to keep going after every failure.
This is a wide canvas that depicts the lives of the men and women who live in and around the priory and are affected by what goes on in there. Given the time period, the prevailing misogyny, violence and abuse of common people, in particular, women is portrayed honestly but in a way that evokes disgust for the perpetrators.
In perfect contrast to Philip, this story has one of the vilest, most brutal villains in William Hamleigh, who is so convinced of his self importance and rights that he will stoop to any level to get what he wants. Aided by power mongers among the clergymen and royal courtiers for whom their own gain is the only guiding principle, William is the bad penny that keeps rolling back no matter how many times he is laid low.
There is romance too in this story, of a most poignant kind, between two people who you want to be united. The nexus between politics and the church in England, with the King switching favour depending on who is most useful to him and the holy men in high positions striving for their own profit drives the plot.
Several wonderful characters people this story..Tom Builder, his wife Ellen, their children, Jack, Aliena, all of whom are sketched wonderfully. Aliena in particular, is one of the strongest female characters I have come across, admirable for her strength in the face of adversity, especially given that the world was not a kind place for a woman in the time the story is set in.
Beautiful descriptions of churches and the way building techniques evolved as ingenious solutions to problems were found are very interesting.
To tell a tale of this magnitude, covering decades, with so many different story arcs is amazing. The balance is maintained so perfectly between good and bad, victory and despair for those we root for as readers that the cycle remains gripping. There is no one who is portrayed as flawless or superior, they all do what they must to achieve their ends and survive.
This one can be termed a Magnum opus among books that educates, entertains and is totally worth the time and effort it commands.