This mammoth of a book is like the TV show "Days of Our Lives" set in the middle ages. That may sound like a recipe for a catastrophe, but it actually is a winning compination. At least for me; I loved it! :) ( )

A historical novel about 14th centry England.

Just like Pillars of the Earth, this book is hard to put down. Every chapter is engaging as it takes the characters through their lives. Some pieces of the story are predictable, but this does not take away from the enjoyment of this book. 'World without End' is an appropriate title, as the book really could go on and on, and I would still enjoy Ken Follett's writing style. ( )

I had been looking forward to reading this but it didn't quite live up to my expectations, it felt like a soap in a medieval setting. ( )

Overall, I liked this book, but it was not as good as Pillars of the Earth. It felt as if Follett was just looking to milk more out of Pillars' success, but his second effort just didn't reach Pillars' standard. The characters were a little less compelling, and somehow Follett's interpretation of the Middle Ages 200 years on from Pillars felt less authentic and forced. I read this book as a long summer bookclub read. I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to pick up and finish without the deadline. ( )

We follow a group of characters in the fictional city of Kingsbridge through the middle years of the 14th century.

This sequel to "Pillars of the Earth" has all the weaknesses and few of the strengths of the earlier book. Again, the characters are either angels or demons in human form. The angelic ones in particular are 20th/21st century people rather than 14th century people. I'm sure you will be glad to know that the Black Death only killed off bad people and minor characters. So in case of future epidemics, make sure you a) are good person, and b) have ideas well in advance of your time.

Without the over-arching theme of the building of the cathedral which played such a major role in "Pillars of the Earth", the book ends up as just one damned thing after another. I for one was pretty tired of it all by page 900 and was longing for it to be over but too stubborn to toss it aside. ( )

I enjoyed this books prequel greatly and enjoyed this one even more. Smarter, more powerful, and a more engaging storyline. ( )

This was like reading a very dry, technical medieval history textbook that had somehow gotten mixed up with extremely dorky, juvenile porn.
The book had some very interesting historical information, but it was not very subtly done, in my opinion.
Having one character explain the details of tower (or bridge) building - in great detail - to another character, who either obviously already knows the details OR obviously would never really care, was very annoying to me.
So was the constant repetition of the cultural and feudal customs and rules.
But I found that the sex scenes were the worst and most ludicrous part of the book.
Was the author attempting to include every schoolboy fantasy he could imagine? Lesbian nuns, sex with the boss' daughter (Griselda), rape (Annet), group sex, the hot widow (Bessie), the woman who is surprised to find that she enjoys sex even when it's forced upon her (Gwenda) ... it goes on & on.
And what was the point? Was the book intended as serious historical fiction, or some kind of (poorly done) erotica?
I'm not sure, but I did not enjoy it much at all. ( )

Like "Pillars of the Earth," I read this one on a family member's recommendation. I enjoyed the first one more. This is just more of the same. Corrupt clergy, fornicating nuns, and on and on... I wouldn't recommend it. ( )

Although I don't know that I would have had the fortitude to sit down and read such a tome, it was a most delightful audio book, and kept me rapt for all 36 hours as I drove back and forth across Washington state. ( )

I read Pillars of the Earth over fifteen years ago and it has been on my "Favorite Books of All TIme" list since. When I picked up World Without End, I hoped it would be as good, but didn't really expect it to be, mainly because I'm fifteen years older and a different person than I was when I read POTE. In that mindset of lowered expectations, then, I enjoyed WWE and looked forward to returning to the story each day, but it will never make my list. Therein lies the problem with sequels; the reader changes with the passage of time (the more time, the more change) and the subsequent expectations for the follow-up book are challenging for an author to overcome. ( )

Taking up the village of Kingsbridge 200 years after Pillars of the Earth, the descendents of Jack Builder and the evil earl of Shiring cross paths again. Now they are doing repairs to the cathedral and fighting the plague and dealing with the king who needs to raise taxes to rape, pillage and burn the French. The plot line is a little too similar to POTE, but its still a fascinating story set in a fascinating time. ( )

Entertaining, but not intelligent. It's nice when you're on a holiday, lying on the beach. I liked Pillars of the earth better. In my opinion, there's too much focus on sex in World without end. The passion for building is in Pillars stronger and more fascinating than in World without end.
Good parts of the book include the description of all aspects of medieval life. Poorness, serfs, the church, withcraft, the plague etc. ( )

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed Pillars of the Earth. Reading the parts about the plague were probably the most interesting but again, Follett's characters are memorable and easy to sympathize with. ( )

This sequel to The Pillars of the Earth is just as sweeping and panoramic as its predecessor, and almost as good. I did get a little tired of one of the characters and wished she would just marry the man already, but all in all, Follett has produced another intriguing look at the intricacies of life in a late medieval English village: economic fortunes won and lost, drought, the Plague, witchcraft, and, of course, the omnipresent Church and its involvement in the daily lives of the people. ( )

I am on the third cd. great book right out of the gate like all great books are. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOOK. VERY COMPELLING ( )

http://www.book-blog.com/2009/03/foll... ( )

A sweeping epic, which at its better points vividly captures the debauchery, close-mindedness, viciousness, and sorrow along with the hope, joy, and transcendent virtue of its medieval European characters. It is however, long-winded and often caught up in needless side-plots. ( )

Should be called "Book Without End". I read the first third, and decided to give it up after realizing that I had to set myself a schedule to read it (forcing myself to read one chapter per day). The story is too predictable with one dimensional characters (evil noblemen, calculating monks and priors, plucky and earnest peasants, etc.); complicated and uninteresting plots involving who will be in charge of the priory, who was in love with whom, who really wants to be someone they're not, etc. I enjoyed "Pillars of the Earth", but think there are so many better books out there to have this albatross weighing down my nightstand. ( )

Much more sexual and not quite as compelling as Pillars of the Earth. ( )

I read pillars only about 3 years ago so It wasn`t 18 yrs later waiting for the sequel for me. But , It was an unbelievably good book. THis book, like its predecessor has moments of extreme uncomfortability due to the lieable characters` trials and tribulations and heartwrenching episodes and consequences. Follet has a tendency to show the truly ugly side of humanity and have that ugliness inflicted upon the morally incorruptable characters that you have come to love. The result is some tossing of the book across the room on occassion but thats telling of the author`s ability to develop his characters. >The Kasual Kafe ( )

STRUGGLING through this 1000 page tome. I absolutely adored the Pillars of the earth when I was a teenager. The sequel? Not so much. I am finding the plot to be far too contrived to the point that Follett actually creates absurd meetings between characters and forces them into incredibly awkward dialogue in order to make sure that the reader has been following his fairly outrageous and unlikely plot.

Why am I still reading it, you ask? Good question ... I need to give it UP! So many other good books out there. ( )

The passionate obsession involved in the building of a cathedral in "Pillars of the Earth", both on the part of the builder and the novelist, is missing in "World Without End". Building a pair of bridges and re-building the tower of the cathedral does not involve a corresponding degree of emotional involvement. Even the threat to the monarchy is a little too remote to raise much passion in the book. Nevertheless, the transformation of Kingsbridge from a relatively uncomplicated priory-dominated village to a "modern" 14th Century city is, in fact, most stimulating and worth every minute it takes to read the 1024 pages. ( )

The awaited sequel to 'Pillars of the Earth' -- this book didn't let me down. It continued the story of the cathedral and monastary a couple generations on and delivered on plot, suspense, and drama as well as the first book. A very enjoyable read. ( )

Over de perikelen van een priorij in Kingsbride in het Middeleeuwse Engeland.Heerlijk vakantieboek ( )