Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mbomersheim 's review for:
The Evening and the Morning
by Ken Follett
This was definitely a change in pace from what I’ve been reading recently, but it was a most welcome one.
I was originally hesitant to start reading the Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett, but I am so glad that I decided to make the commitment because I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read so far of which The Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books. The Evening and the Morning is a prequel to the series taking place at the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century. The book follows a cast of characters whose paths cross through a variety of circumstances (so descriptive, I know). The book was really good at providing a background to how the towns of Shiring and Kingsbridge came to be what they were in The Pillars of the Earth while still having the focus of the plot be on the characters themselves. I really liked how strong and well thought out all of the characters were this time, especially Lady Ragna. The Evening and the Morning was so well written with interweaving plot lines which came together very satisfyingly. I would highly recommend this series to those who like history and political intrigue.
Spoilers ahead, tread with caution:
My main issue with the book is that I thought it could be a bit longer. At a bit over 900 pages, it is the shortest one in the series, and I thought that the ending was possibly a bit too hasty. The book basically ends with the marriage of Ragna and Edgar and I think it would have possibly been nice for there to have been an epilogue a couple years into the future doing a "where they are now," and how the other characters are faring, especially as book one in this series doesn't start for around another 100 years. Regardless, the ending was satisfying.
Overall, a wonderful read!
I was originally hesitant to start reading the Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett, but I am so glad that I decided to make the commitment because I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read so far of which The Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books. The Evening and the Morning is a prequel to the series taking place at the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century. The book follows a cast of characters whose paths cross through a variety of circumstances (so descriptive, I know). The book was really good at providing a background to how the towns of Shiring and Kingsbridge came to be what they were in The Pillars of the Earth while still having the focus of the plot be on the characters themselves. I really liked how strong and well thought out all of the characters were this time, especially Lady Ragna. The Evening and the Morning was so well written with interweaving plot lines which came together very satisfyingly. I would highly recommend this series to those who like history and political intrigue.
Spoilers ahead, tread with caution:
My main issue with the book is that I thought it could be a bit longer. At a bit over 900 pages, it is the shortest one in the series, and I thought that the ending was possibly a bit too hasty. The book basically ends with the marriage of Ragna and Edgar and I think it would have possibly been nice for there to have been an epilogue a couple years into the future doing a "where they are now," and how the other characters are faring, especially as book one in this series doesn't start for around another 100 years. Regardless, the ending was satisfying.
Overall, a wonderful read!