Ken Follett
Author of The Pillars of the Earth
About the Author
Ken Follett was born in Wales, United Kingdom on June 5, 1949. He received an Honours degree in philosophy from University College, London. He began his career as a newspaper reporter for the South Wales Echo and later with the London Evening News. He decided to switch to publishing and worked for show more a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director. His first bestselling novel, Eye of the Needle, was published in 1978 and won the Edgar Award. His other works include Triple, The Key to Rebecca, The Man from St. Petersburg, Lay Down with Lions, The Pillars of the Earth, The Third Twin, The Hammer of Eden, Code to Zero, Whiteout, World Without End, The Century Trilogy, and A Column of Fire. Many of his novels have been adapted into films and television miniseries. He has won numerous awards including the Corine Prize in 2003 for Jackdaws. His nonfiction works include On Wings of Eagles. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Ken Follett has written under several pen names, including Martin Martinsen, Simon Myles, Bernard L. Ross, Zachary Stone.
Image credit: Ken Follett, le 15 octobre 2015
Series
Works by Ken Follett
Ken Follett The Kingsbridge Novels Stories Collection 3 Books Set (The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, A Column of Fire) (2018) 20 copies
On Wings of Eagles 10 copies
Reader's Digest: Missions into Danger: Code to Zero / Eye of the Needle / Lie Down with Lions / The Hammer of Eden (2007) 8 copies
Die Säulen der Erde - Das Feuer Gottes: Graphic Novel nach Ken Folletts Weltbestseller (»Die Säulen der Erde« als Graphic Novel, Band 2) (2025) 5 copies
[unidentified works] 5 copies
O CÍRCULO DOS DIAS 3 copies
Um Mundo Sem Fim - Volume I 3 copies
Os filhos do ℗Eden 2 copies
Livros Condensados: Perigo Biológico | O Verão da Minha Ousadia | O Pianista | Que Natal! (2005) — Author — 2 copies
Readers Digest Select Editions: The Empty Chair / The Other Side of the Dale / Code to Zero / Nora, Nora (2003) — Author — 2 copies
A Place Called Freedom/The Third Twin/Hammer of Eden (The Ken Follett Value Collection) (2000) 2 copies
Päivien piiri 2 copies
Ken Follett Collection 3 Books Set, (Codeto Zero, Eye of the Needle and A Place called freedom) (2013) 2 copies
Pillars Of The Earth The 2 copies
Trilogía The Century (edición pack con: La caída de los gigantes | El invierno del mundo | El umbral de la eternidad) (2021) 2 copies
Jordens sj̜ler 2 1 copy
Ken Follett Collection 1 copy
I giorni dell'eternita 1 copy
Jordens sj̜ler 1 1 copy
De naald 1 copy
De heren van de 16 juli 1 copy
De piraat 1 copy
De man van Sint Petersburg 1 copy
The Art of Suspence 1 copy
Voo para a liberdade (83) 1 copy
triângulo 1 copy
5 Ken Follett Books--Lie Down with Lions ,The Third Twin,The Man from St. Petersburg,Hornet Flight,The Hammer of Eden (1986) 1 copy
SHTYLLAT E TOKËS 1 copy
Trilogía Los pilares de la Tierra (pack con Los pilares de la Tierra | Un mundo sin fin | Una columna de fuego) (Best Seller) (2020) 1 copy
Die Säulen der Erde / Die Tore der Welt: Schuberausgabe.: Doppelschuberausgabe. Bearbeitete Fassung 1 copy
O voo da águia 1 copy
Klucz do Rebeki 1 copy
La grande rapina al treno 1 copy
Pillars of the Earch 1 copy
The Edge of eternity 1 copy
Associated Works
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1997 v02: The Third Twin / Small Town Girl / To the Hilt / The Burning Man (1997) — Author — 69 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1994 v03: A Dangerous Fortune / The Select / Rivers of Gold / Hardscape (1994) 56 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions 1999 v03 #243: The Hammer of Eden / Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! / Stonewall's Gold / River's End (1999) — Contributor — 47 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Select Editions 2001 v01 #253: The Rescue / Even Steven / My Mother's Daughter / Code to Zero (2001) — Author — 41 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1986 v03: Lie Down with Lions / Tree of Gold / The Deep End / Cry Wild (1986) — Author — 39 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1996 v01: A Place Called Freedom / The Horse Whisperer / The Apocalypse Watch (1996) — Author — 38 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1982 v03: The Man from St. Petersburg / Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier / No Escape / The Citadel (1982) — Author — 34 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1979 v01: Eye of the Needle / Orphan Train / Overload / A Dangerous Magic (1979) — Author — 32 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions 2002 v02 #260: A Bend in the Road / The Woman Next Door / Jackdaws / Long Time No See (2002) — Author — 32 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Condensed Books 1980 v05: No Job for a Lady / The Key to Rebecca / The Old Neighborhood / A Piano for Mrs. Cimino / The Gold of Troy (1980) — Author — 27 copies
Reader's Digest Best Sellers 1978: Eye of the Needle | Orphan Train (1978) — Author — 21 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Select Editions 2003 v02 #266: Hornet Flight / Leaving Eden / Q is for Quarry / Nights in Rodanthe (2003) 20 copies
Readers Digest Condensed Books: A Dangerous Fortune • The Client • The Estuary Pilgrim • The Bear (1994) 16 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Jackdaws • The Smoke Jumper • Hostage • On the Street Where You Live (2001) — Author — 12 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Code to Zero • Winter Solstice • High Risk • Beneath the Skin (2000) — Author — 11 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions: Whiteout | Paranoia | Rosie | Web of Deceit (2005) — Contributor — 10 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Hammer of Eden • A Sight for Sore Eyes • The Kremlin Device • Firebird (1998) — Contributor — 9 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Night over Water • Loves Music, Loves to Dance • Stormchild • The Darling Buds of May (1965) 7 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Man from St Petersburg • Fever • Flash • Cold is the Sea (1982) — Author — 7 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher 157 - Die Löwen. Was weiß die Taube auf dem Dach von Liebe. Kaffern-Boy. Durch die Schneewüste (1988) — Contributor — 6 copies
Livros Condensados: Contagem Decrescente | Corações Em Silêncio | Explosão de Cristal | Notícias do Lago (2001) — Author — 5 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions: The Last Juror | The Various Haunts of Men | The Codex | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2004) — Author — 5 copies
Livros Condensados: O Martelo do Paraíso | És Minha | A Ilha Maldita | Amy e os Gansos Bravos (1999) — Author — 5 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Storm Island • Does She Know She's There? • The Storrington Papers • Flight to Landfall (1979) — Contributor — 5 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: A Place Called Freedom / Icebound / Hidden Riches / The Magic Bullet (1995) — Contributor — 5 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Break In • The Two Farms • Cry Wild • Lie Down With Lions (1986) 5 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher 193 : Nacht über Wasser. Ärztin unter Anklage. Im Zeichen des Bären. Eine höllische Partie (1994) 5 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Hornet Flight • Year of Wonders • The Analyst • Unscathed (2003) — Contributor — 5 copies
Die Nadel. - Folch-Ribas, Jacques: Ein Nordlicht. - Godey, John: Der tödliche Biss. - Surminski, Arno: Kudenow (1980) 4 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher 201 : Die Pfeiler der Macht/ Schau Dich nicht um/ Wolfstage/ Virusjagd (1995) 4 copies
Livros Condensados: O Encantador de Cavalos | Justiça Local | Um Lugar Chamado Liberdade | O Gato que Gostava de Armários (1996) 4 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Tigris Expedition • The Key to Rebecca • Horowitz and Mrs Washington • Bullet Train • The Last Enemy (1980) 4 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Glass Cockpit • A Dangerous Fortune • The Wrong House • The Foundation (1995) 4 copies, 1 review
Livros Condensados: Voo Para a Liberdade | O Ano dos Cães | Os Milionários | A Última Promessa (2003) — Author — 4 copies
Det Bästas Bokval vol 183: Pengars onda makt / Hårda bud / Miraklet i öknen / Mrs Pollifax och den andra tjuven (1995) — Author — 3 copies
Livros Condensados: Gralhas | O Filho De Eddie | Faith Uma Mulher De Coragem | Diário Para O Meu Filho (2002) 3 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: No Job for a Lady • The Key to Rebecca • Banners of Silk • The Tigris Expedition — Author — 3 copies
Mannen från S:T Petersburg / Sara Dane / Natt över dalen / Dopad — Author — 3 copies
Het Beste Boek 235: Sneeuwjacht / Wulffers en de zaak van de bloedverwanten / In de ochtend / Een gloedvolle Kerst 3 copies, 1 review
Válogatott könyvek 2001/5 Ken Follett - Visszaszámlálás; Rosamunde Pilcher - Téli napforduló; Michael Palmer - A beteg; Douglas Preston és Lincoln Child - Viharfelhő (2001) — Contributor — 2 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher, Bestseller-Sonderband - Das zweite Gedächtnis. Das schweigen des Glücks. Der Goldschmied (2002) — Author — 2 copies
Australian Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Lie Down with Lions / Julie / Congo / The Wild Children (1987) — Author — 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 98: Code: Rebecca / Spoel en spade / Zou ze weten dat ze leeft / Eenzame strijd — Contributor — 2 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher 229 - Die Kinder von Eden. Frühstück zu viert. Der Schneefalke. Grössenwahn (2000) — Author — 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 157: Nachtvlucht / Scarlett / De Cock en de moord eerste Klasse (1992) 2 copies, 1 review
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Triple • Jenny's Mountain • Seal Morning • The Churchill Diamonds (1989) 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 180: Vaders mooiste / De paardenfluisteraar / De vlam van de vrijheid / Mijn kleine wolven (1996) 2 copies, 1 review
De Cock en de romance in moord; Een vrouw in huis; De man van St. Petersburg; Jamie 2 copies, 1 review
Livros Condensados: Uma Fortuna Perigosa | O Rancheiro da Montanha | Tinta Vermelha | O Inverno do Pekan (1995) — Author — 2 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Third Twin • Wilderness of Mirrors • The Notebook • Trading Reality (1997) — Author — 2 copies
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher, Bestseller-Sonderband - Die Glasbläserin / Die Leopardin / Wenn Engel schweigen (2004) — Author — 2 copies
RDCBLP v069 Night Over Water | The Leader of the People | The Hands of Mr. Ottermole (1993) 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 128: Blokje om, hoekje om / Goeiemorgen Lora / Sporen naar de dood / Boom van goud (1987) 2 copies, 1 review
Kirjavaliot - Kohtalokas diagnoosi (Error of judgment ∙ The key to Rebecca ∙ Ring of bright water ∙ The Aviator) (1982) 2 copies
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Night Over Water • Bygones • Search Dog • Doctor on Trial — Contributor — 2 copies
Det Bästas Bokval (1999) vol 204 : Den tredje tvillingen; Kvinnans plats; Toxin; Amy och vildgässen — Author — 2 copies
Code to Zero (K. Follett) / Envy (S. Brown) / Julie and Romeo (J. Ray) / The Other Side of Everest: Climbing the North Face Through the Killer Storm (M. Dickinson) — Author — 2 copies
Det Bästas Bokval (2003) vol 230: Svarta fåglar; Tallies bok; Låtas att du inte ser henne; Olovligt byte — Author — 2 copies
Det Bästas Bokval (1993) vol 173: Över mörka vatten; Kvinnan som liknade Greta Garbo; Skymningsskogen — Author — 2 copies
Tordenøglen - og andre historier fra fremmede verdener (1982) — Author, some editions — 2 copies, 1 review
Livros Condensados: A Chave de Rebeca | O Safari de Mrs. Pollifax | Um Dia Feliz | Malevil (1982) — Contributor — 2 copies
RDCBLP Lie Down with Lions / Red / The Storm — Author — 1 copy
Reader's Digest Auswahlbücher, Bestseller-Sonderband - Eisfieber / Der dunkle Spiegel / Das letzte Versprechen (2007) — Author — 1 copy
Marie Curie - L'uomo di Pietroburgo - "Piccolo albero" - A cuore aperto — Author — 1 copy
Livros Condensados: Noite Sobre a Água | Sara Dane | Condição Negra | A Torre de Marfim (1993) — Author — 1 copy
Het Beste Boek 197: De vuist van Eden / De weg terug / Vormfout / Vergiftigd (1999) 1 copy, 1 review
Reader's Digest Select Editions: Hammer of Eden / Coast Road / Exclusion Zone / The Sharp End (1999) — Author — 1 copy
Het Beste Boek 216: Codenaam torenkraai / Een hart van glas / Zoenoffer / Gijzeling 1 copy, 1 review
Hombres en conflicto : El ojo de la aguja : Sin novedad en el frente : El puente sobre el río Kwai — Contributor — 1 copy
Det Bästas Bokval (vol 2006) vol 248 : Dödlig strid; En röd liten fågel i juletid; Den osynliga terroristen; Marley och jag — Author — 1 copy
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Tisha / Storm Island / The White Lions of Timbavati / A Dangerous Magic — Author — 1 copy
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: To the Hilt • The Outsider • The Third Twin • Moonlight Becomes You (1997) — Author — 1 copy
Appendici in giallo 1 — Contributor — 1 copy
Det Bästas Bokval (2005) vol 240 : Nattväktarna; Nätterna vid havet; Kodex; Damernas detektivbyrå — Author — 1 copy
Zabójcza pamięć | Kiedy byliśmy dorośli | Promień światła | Po omacku (Reader's Digest) (2002) — Author — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Follett, Ken Martin
- Other names
- Martinsen, Martin
Myles, Simon
Ross, Bernard L.
Stone, Zachary - Birthdate
- 1949-06-05
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University College London (Philosophy)
Harrow Weald Grammar School
Poole Technical College - Occupations
- journalist
publisher
novelist - Organizations
- Labour Party (UK)
Plymouth Brethren - Awards and honors
- Fellow of University College, London (1994)
Royal Society of Arts (Fellow)
Olaguibel Prize, awarded by the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos Vasco-Navarro for contributing to the promotion and awareness of architecture (2008)
Honorary Doctorate (DLitt | University of Glamorgan)
Honorary Doctorate (Letters | Saginaw Valley State University | 2007)
ITW Thrillermaster (2010) - Agent
- Al Zuckerman (Writers House)
Amy Berkower
Bob Booman - Short biography
- He was born on 5 June 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector. He was educated at state schools and graduated from University College, London, with an Honours degree in philosophy. He was made a Fellow of the college in 1995.
He became a reporter, first with his home-town newspaper the South Wales Echo and later with the London Evening News. While working on the Evening News he wrote his first novel, which was published but did not become a bestseller. He then went to work for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director. He continued to write novels in his spare time. Eye of the Needle was his eleventh book, and his first success. Around 100 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. - Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Cardiff, Wales, UK
- Places of residence
- London, England, UK
Cardiff, Wales, UK
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK - Map Location
- Wales, UK
- Disambiguation notice
- Ken Follett has written under several pen names, including Martin Martinsen, Simon Myles, Bernard L. Ross, Zachary Stone.
Members
Discussions
trilogy about cathedral building in Name that Book (November 2015)
*Group Read: World Without End by Ken Follett* General Thread in 75 Books Challenge for 2010 (January 2011)
Reviews
The most expensive part of building is the mistakes.
[b:The Pillars of the Earth|5043|The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)|Ken Follett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388193707l/5043._SY75_.jpg|3359698] is not what I expected. As the blurb said, it's a book full of intrigue, action, and romance, but it's also a giant of a book, set in the twelfth century, following the life and times of several families in a Middle Age English town through show more everything from daily life to the decades long building of a cathedral to a civil war.
It's a brutal book at times, with vicious depictions of violence, war, and rape. Bad things happen to good people--and bad people; and just everyday people. If you're looking for a happy book, this is not it. If you're a younger reader, this is probably not the best to read. But if you want a book every bit as beautiful and intricate and impressive as the cathedrals described therein? Give it a try.
The characters really do make the book. You have a whole host of religious men, from good but powerless, to good but flawed, to power hungry but trying to do the right thing, to downright corrupt. You have earls and kings, little worried with the little people--until they lose everything. You have poor poor, some narrow minded and afraid, some willing to help in what little way you can. And they all feel real. For better or, often, for worse.
I very rarely read books set in the 'real' world, strongly preferring science fiction and fantasy. But every once in a while, I'm reminded that perhaps the real world can be every bit as real and magical as a fantasy.
Aside: It's interesting how polarized the top reviews for this book are. And often loving or hating it for the same reasons. For each their own. Personally, I'd say give it a try. show less
TW: Rape and gore and violence en masse.
I finally read the 1000 page book about the building of a cathedral! And I can see why there is no other way to describe it. While the driving force of the pot is the attempt to build the Kingsbridge cathedral, what makes this book truly epic is what happens because of it. This book is about grit and determination during a civil war. It is about the humble, everyday people and lords, both affected by the wars of kings and empresses. It's about show more political manipulation and determination. But most of all it is about all the years spent building the Kingsbridge cathedral, the lives and loves and horrors that went into it.
Like Tom and Jack's attempt to build a vast cathedral that will last until the Day of Judgement, Ken Follet as written a novel of epic proportions. This book was brilliant, complex and everything but boring. There were so many levels to it, from the building of the cathedral to monestarean (is that a word) politics to a romance so sweet and well-developed that it was impossible not to root for. There are an unparallel range and depth to them, and these subplots are brought to like the vast cast of characters. There are vile villains, cunning men of power, strong, independent women and more. The characters were fleshed out and strong and could stand independent of each other, but make the best soup when all poured together. Many of these characters earned my respect as I read, for they were cunning and unafraid, but not flawless.
Follet's writing was so compelling. It hooked me from the beginning, with its very necessary prologue (well I guess you could read the book without reading the prologue, but this is one of those rare books where the prologue becomes important to the plot later on). There was n filler content. Surprising, I know. This book is a literal brick and could be used a weapon if the paperback weren't so floppy (and thus easier to hold and read). Every sentence Follet wrote in the book carried some weight to it, advancing either the main plot or the sub-plots.
Some might argue that the sub-plots outshone the real plots, but I don't believe this. In fact, they drove the main plot forwards. There are many instances where the building of the cathedral would have halted and never been continued if there hadn't been an alternative made possible by a sub-plot. A character that stuck around, or a favour owed. Everything and everyone was important to the progression of the story. Take a minor character away and the whole thing will just fall short. It's like a card house: if you take away a supporting character, it tumbles, if you remove the top cards, it's not complete.
Sometimes I find that men aren't very good at writing from the female perspective, but Follet has that mastered too. His female lead, the Lady Aliena, is easily one of my favourite characters. William Hamleigh puts it marvellously on page 907 "He had ruined her father, raped her, taken her castle, burned her wool, and exiled her brother, but every time he thought he had crushed her she came back up again, rising from defeat to new heights of power and wealth." Aliena is a smart, logical character, unlike her childish brother. She is bound to oath the swore to her father and worked tirelessly to achieve it. She doesn't let her gender get in the way of what she is capable of. But Aliena is still flawed. She's a bit too headstrong and too selfless when it comes to the oath. She can be rash and cold, lashing out at those around her. But she acknowledges her mistakes as well, which in my mind is much more admirable than someone who never slips.
And the antagonists were just wow. Despicable and vile, yet full characters in their own rights. Some are just cunning, power-hungry folk with unyielding goals and a lot of power or plain bullies. But then there's William Hamleigh, the cause of many of Kingsbridge's problems. A man obsessed with honour and fame and has a lethal streak. He is in love with violence and war, loves to exert power over the helpless. William's perspectives were both utterly despicable and oddly interesting to read. He is filled with such hate and loathing that one could practically smell it in the air.
Prior Phillip is that last character to stand out to me amongst the masses. He was so determined and level-headed. His cunningness could almost, at some times, be taken as innocence, luck, and smarts. He so seamlessly manipulated the events to his favour that the characters did not know that they were being manipulated until it was too late. But the Prior is not the enemy here. He is the smart Prior of Kingsbridge, doing his absolute best to make something of the poor town while men like William Hamliegh oppose him at every turn. His quiet way of working events and thinking things through made him one of the most compelling characters out there, and his good nature and love of Kingsbridge and all its people made him loveable and I couldn't help but root for him.
And let's just have a moment of silence for one of the best romances ever. I can't believe the story is over. Another plus for it being so long. I got so immersed in it, in all of it. The lust, the passions, the desire. Both romantically and other. This book is one wild ride through 12th century England.
There are so many more characters and so many more aspects to this book. I can not possibly touch on them all, I'm afraid. You'll just have to take my word for it. The 1000 page book about the building of a cathedral is one of the best things you'll ever read. It appeals to the history buff, but fans of epic fantasy will find this medieval-set epic an absolute gem. Anyone who loves a good political story or a good romance will find something desirable in this brick of a novel. Just try it, you'll love it. If you couldn't tell from this review, I do. show less
I finally read the 1000 page book about the building of a cathedral! And I can see why there is no other way to describe it. While the driving force of the pot is the attempt to build the Kingsbridge cathedral, what makes this book truly epic is what happens because of it. This book is about grit and determination during a civil war. It is about the humble, everyday people and lords, both affected by the wars of kings and empresses. It's about show more political manipulation and determination. But most of all it is about all the years spent building the Kingsbridge cathedral, the lives and loves and horrors that went into it.
Like Tom and Jack's attempt to build a vast cathedral that will last until the Day of Judgement, Ken Follet as written a novel of epic proportions. This book was brilliant, complex and everything but boring. There were so many levels to it, from the building of the cathedral to monestarean (is that a word) politics to a romance so sweet and well-developed that it was impossible not to root for. There are an unparallel range and depth to them, and these subplots are brought to like the vast cast of characters. There are vile villains, cunning men of power, strong, independent women and more. The characters were fleshed out and strong and could stand independent of each other, but make the best soup when all poured together. Many of these characters earned my respect as I read, for they were cunning and unafraid, but not flawless.
Follet's writing was so compelling. It hooked me from the beginning, with its very necessary prologue (well I guess you could read the book without reading the prologue, but this is one of those rare books where the prologue becomes important to the plot later on). There was n filler content. Surprising, I know. This book is a literal brick and could be used a weapon if the paperback weren't so floppy (and thus easier to hold and read). Every sentence Follet wrote in the book carried some weight to it, advancing either the main plot or the sub-plots.
Some might argue that the sub-plots outshone the real plots, but I don't believe this. In fact, they drove the main plot forwards. There are many instances where the building of the cathedral would have halted and never been continued if there hadn't been an alternative made possible by a sub-plot. A character that stuck around, or a favour owed. Everything and everyone was important to the progression of the story. Take a minor character away and the whole thing will just fall short. It's like a card house: if you take away a supporting character, it tumbles, if you remove the top cards, it's not complete.
Sometimes I find that men aren't very good at writing from the female perspective, but Follet has that mastered too. His female lead, the Lady Aliena, is easily one of my favourite characters. William Hamleigh puts it marvellously on page 907 "He had ruined her father, raped her, taken her castle, burned her wool, and exiled her brother, but every time he thought he had crushed her she came back up again, rising from defeat to new heights of power and wealth." Aliena is a smart, logical character, unlike her childish brother. She is bound to oath the swore to her father and worked tirelessly to achieve it. She doesn't let her gender get in the way of what she is capable of. But Aliena is still flawed. She's a bit too headstrong and too selfless when it comes to the oath. She can be rash and cold, lashing out at those around her. But she acknowledges her mistakes as well, which in my mind is much more admirable than someone who never slips.
And the antagonists were just wow. Despicable and vile, yet full characters in their own rights. Some are just cunning, power-hungry folk with unyielding goals and a lot of power or plain bullies. But then there's William Hamleigh, the cause of many of Kingsbridge's problems. A man obsessed with honour and fame and has a lethal streak. He is in love with violence and war, loves to exert power over the helpless. William's perspectives were both utterly despicable and oddly interesting to read. He is filled with such hate and loathing that one could practically smell it in the air.
Prior Phillip is that last character to stand out to me amongst the masses. He was so determined and level-headed. His cunningness could almost, at some times, be taken as innocence, luck, and smarts. He so seamlessly manipulated the events to his favour that the characters did not know that they were being manipulated until it was too late. But the Prior is not the enemy here. He is the smart Prior of Kingsbridge, doing his absolute best to make something of the poor town while men like William Hamliegh oppose him at every turn. His quiet way of working events and thinking things through made him one of the most compelling characters out there, and his good nature and love of Kingsbridge and all its people made him loveable and I couldn't help but root for him.
And let's just have a moment of silence for one of the best romances ever. I can't believe the story is over. Another plus for it being so long. I got so immersed in it, in all of it. The lust, the passions, the desire. Both romantically and other. This book is one wild ride through 12th century England.
There are so many more characters and so many more aspects to this book. I can not possibly touch on them all, I'm afraid. You'll just have to take my word for it. The 1000 page book about the building of a cathedral is one of the best things you'll ever read. It appeals to the history buff, but fans of epic fantasy will find this medieval-set epic an absolute gem. Anyone who loves a good political story or a good romance will find something desirable in this brick of a novel. Just try it, you'll love it. If you couldn't tell from this review, I do. show less
I’ve enjoyed a few of Ken Follett’s thrillers but what’s stopped me from loving them is his characters. You always know from the start who’s good and who’s bad, which side you’re supposed to be on, and that most of them will get the outcome they deserve. I much prefer the murky ambiguity of Le Carre.
This novel though, is different. This was Follett’s first published novel (under the pseudonym Zachary Stone). In the reissued version, Follett laments its poor sales and apologises show more in an introduction for all the things I like about it (though judging by the reviews from hardcore Follett fans, he was right to do so).
The story has multiple viewpoints. There is a complex, interwoven plot. It has a downbeat, amoral ending. The characters act on a range of motivations. None of them is particularly likeable.
They are recognisable ‘types’ but they are nuanced. Follett says he has a tendency to underwrite but I like to be trusted to work things out for myself. I admire the pared-down prose and the vivid world – worlds – that he has created in such a short book.
I prefer this Follett but the sales would suggest I’m in the minority. show less
This novel though, is different. This was Follett’s first published novel (under the pseudonym Zachary Stone). In the reissued version, Follett laments its poor sales and apologises show more in an introduction for all the things I like about it (though judging by the reviews from hardcore Follett fans, he was right to do so).
The story has multiple viewpoints. There is a complex, interwoven plot. It has a downbeat, amoral ending. The characters act on a range of motivations. None of them is particularly likeable.
They are recognisable ‘types’ but they are nuanced. Follett says he has a tendency to underwrite but I like to be trusted to work things out for myself. I admire the pared-down prose and the vivid world – worlds – that he has created in such a short book.
I prefer this Follett but the sales would suggest I’m in the minority. show less
Why have I never discovered this book before? When I mentioned to friends I was reading it I was told ‘oh yes, it’s fantastic’. And fantastic it is. ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ by Ken Follett holds up a mirror to modern times. It is a historical thriller about the building of a twelfth century cathedral. The politics, governmental and religious, civil war, families torn asunder, romance, loss, courage and hope. It left me with a yearning to walk around a cathedral and study its show more architecture, better to understand the feat accomplished at Kingsbridge.
‘The Pillars of the Earth’ tells the story of stonemason Tom Builder and his family, who in 1135 are on the verge of starvation. When they meet Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, so begins a relationship which lasts all their lives. Philip is a pragmatic monk. He knows his poor town must find a way to survive and decides to build a cathedral. Tom becomes his master builder. But there are enemies who want to thwart this ambition, greedy, ruthless men who change political sides with will, who pillage and rape, who store riches while their peasants starve. The differences are not just political and royal, they are between brothers too.
This is a long novel and for not one moment did that matter. If you like novels that create a world for you to lose yourself in, then this will suit you. This is the medieval world; when the crown is disputed by King Stephen and Maud, when a father abandons a baby because he cannot feed it, when outlaws live wild in the forests, when the wealthy and titled can rape and steal and get away with it. Through this morally thin time, there are beacons of light. Prior Philip is quiet, gentle and Machiavellian. Determined not to be beaten by bullies, that his town and citizens shall not lose their livelihoods, he motivates his villagers so they have the belief to stand up for their rights.
Don’t be put off because this book is about a cathedral. The cathedral is the glue that holds the community of Kingsbridge together, it gives the book its narrative drive. Ken Follett packs in so much historical detail and it is all relevant to the plot; despite its 1104 pages, this is a quick read. Highly recommended.
This is the first of the Kingsbridge trilogy, next is ‘World Without End’.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less
‘The Pillars of the Earth’ tells the story of stonemason Tom Builder and his family, who in 1135 are on the verge of starvation. When they meet Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, so begins a relationship which lasts all their lives. Philip is a pragmatic monk. He knows his poor town must find a way to survive and decides to build a cathedral. Tom becomes his master builder. But there are enemies who want to thwart this ambition, greedy, ruthless men who change political sides with will, who pillage and rape, who store riches while their peasants starve. The differences are not just political and royal, they are between brothers too.
This is a long novel and for not one moment did that matter. If you like novels that create a world for you to lose yourself in, then this will suit you. This is the medieval world; when the crown is disputed by King Stephen and Maud, when a father abandons a baby because he cannot feed it, when outlaws live wild in the forests, when the wealthy and titled can rape and steal and get away with it. Through this morally thin time, there are beacons of light. Prior Philip is quiet, gentle and Machiavellian. Determined not to be beaten by bullies, that his town and citizens shall not lose their livelihoods, he motivates his villagers so they have the belief to stand up for their rights.
Don’t be put off because this book is about a cathedral. The cathedral is the glue that holds the community of Kingsbridge together, it gives the book its narrative drive. Ken Follett packs in so much historical detail and it is all relevant to the plot; despite its 1104 pages, this is a quick read. Highly recommended.
This is the first of the Kingsbridge trilogy, next is ‘World Without End’.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less
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