I'm conflicted about 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. On one hand, the novel is well researched and entertaining. On the other, it is overly long. It could have used an editor to reduce repetitive descriptions and to polish up parts of the plot. Also, everything had a feel of boilerplate about it, but I suspect that is due more to the requirements of writing a bestseller epic instead of a literary work. Nothing wrong with any of that for an entertainment read, of course!

I noticed how utterly futile religious faith was throughout the book's plot of building a cathedral, which is ironic considering much of what motivated characters was their religious beliefs. Being a good person or being bad simply had no effect on outcomes. People palaver a lot as they do about God bringing justice, rewards or blessings, but the story clearly shows if you are a Duke or a King or a rich merchant the power and authority that comes with position and money has more to do with how justice or blessings are distributed.

In any case, being female was a 'damnation' curse in the Middle Ages. No matter how beloved or adored a woman was, an enslavement is all that is expected or wanted from women in this medieval society. Ken Follett certainly got this history right. The one female character who has masculine freedoms has to live alone in a forest to be herself. The other strong female character, who pulls herself up into some wealth and respectability through hard work and taking risks, ends up losing everything again and again because she must support the men in her life rather than taking complete charge of her destiny due to the religious strictures and the structure of family life in the Middle Ages.

The men have a hard time of it too, to be sure, but some of them can afford to be hopeful dreamers by staying single or becoming monks. In Follett's world, being unmarried means being safe a bit longer. Marriage seems to bring on only hardships for both sexes in the novel. Fearful poverty is always on the horizon either due to weather or wars between the nobility or mentally ill parents or irresponsible husbands. Endless labor with no guaranteed future or reward is all there is for most folks until it's time to die. Hard-earned ownership of a straw house, or one of wood or one of stone for the matter, does not guarantee living without starvation and misery at some point in 'The Pillars of the Earth' no matter how much one might save or live sensibly. Even the mighty and amazing cathedral, a symbol of human perseverance and permanence, falls several times in the book. Follett doesn't allow anyone Grace. Winning is not an option in this soap opera.

Despite the chaos, and the failures of human justice and insight, and the uncertainty of living another 24 hours by the end of each chapter in the book, characters appear to overcome harsh reality with communal delusions and hope, no matter how unfulfilled, because of religious faith and class pride. True to life, come to think of it.

I think the author sometimes overwhelms his story with sadism, suffering and rape, while dramatically emphasizing the huge achievement it truly was to build cathedrals in the middle Middle Ages. Given the usual obstructive cantankerousness people exhibit in actual real life when building structures, maybe these piled-on traumas were true to life in the Middle Ages. However, in the end, the writing, to me, felt more like a soap opera mash-up of Candide and Gone With The Wind. I read on often with hilarity instead of concern, gentle reader. Regardless, I liked the story.

Set in twelfth-century England, The Pillars of Earth is an epic tale of remarkably unforgettable characters in pursuit of building the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever known. As simple as the plot may sound, the novel offered more than what it appeared to have.

This is the best Historical Fiction I've read as of today. This gigantic piece of treasure didn't seem that huge while I was reading it. I'm serious when I say that this even felt shorter than some 300+ pages novel I've read. The whole novel was compelling, and if I weren't in my final week of exams, I would've finished this in 2 days the longest. I didn't want to put this amazing thing down, even during the time wherein I had to study for my Organic Chemistry finals. I chose to read a few more chapters of this instead of studying. I've never made that sacrifice before, so that says a lot about this novel.

So the biggest question is, what's there to love about The Pillars of the Earth? All I can say before you read on would be that obviously this review will be opinionated. If you hated the novel, then too bad for you. I didn't go around and bash people who gave a negative review of this just because they voiced out their opinion. Now, on to the review.

Am I seriously the only one who felt like I was sort of reading A Game of Thrones? Yes, they're both epics, and maybe that's why they're similar in some ways. I'm not saying anything about copying and all, what I'm trying to say is that I enjoyed this as much as A Game of Thrones. Both books were gigantic, yet once you started reading them, you won't even notice that you're halfway done with it. and that's a sign of an amazing novel.

Characters
ALL   of the characters were unforgettable in their own ways, in this novel. No matter how much I hated them, I will always remember them because each character played a role to make this novel amazing.

Let's talk about the bad characters.

William Hamleigh just made it to my list of hated characters of all time. Not hated in a way that I hated the novel, but in a way that he was an awful character, and that contributed to the greatness of the novel. Who would like this piece of shit who did nothing but rape women, and try to cheat his way to the throne? All I'm saying is, the author surely wanted to make him look bad, and he really did. He started as a really strong asshole, but in some parts we see that he's afraid of damnation in hell? He can rape and murder with no guilt, but a few holy words spurted at him made him weak? That's doesn't seem consistent. Once again I'm not saying it was a bad thing, all I'm saying is that William's a fucking pig.

Alfred is another piece of shit that I hated. He's like a mini version of William, only just as cowardly. He also raped women, and beat his brother I don't wanna end up putting everything in a spoiler tag, so I said brother. I obviously meant step-brother. up, just because he could. He's bigger and stronger, and he felt the urge to show that to everyone. All I can say is Karma will surely bite his fat ass one way or another.

I didn't really hate any other character, but Prior Philip actually faltered off after about 75% of the novel. He wasn't as likeable as he was in the beginning. He started making weird decisions, and I began to question his reputation in the novel.

Good characters
Tom Builder of course. He's sort of the main character here, but this novel being an epic, I believe each character should be considered as a main character. He's the strongest character of all, for me at least. I really liked the decisions he made throughout the novel. The only questionable thing he did was  leaving the baby, Jonathan. Yes, they were out of food and Jonathan would've probably died, but I still don't see it as moral to leave the baby there in the forest. . Tom had a dream of building the best cathedral, and he will do no matter what to build it.  Why the fuck did he have to die? Or, let me rephrase that, why the fuck did he have to die like that? His skull being crushed? The author gave him such a harsh faith.

Aliena and Jack. I really liked both of them a lot. Aliena for looking out for her brother, Richard. Jack on the other hand, for looking out for himself. I honestly can't go into detail without spoiling, so I'll just do several spoiler tags.
Jack defended himself as best as he could from Alfred. Even when he thought Alfred was gone in the latter part of the novel, Alfred still came back and made Jack's life miserable. I mean, Alfred married Aliena for the sole purpose of making Jack furious for pete's sake. William also raped Aliena when she was stilla virgin. Just thought that I should write that as to remember it in the future.

Aliena and Jack's relationship had to be one of the most realistic ones out there. Most relationships in books are very forced, but theirs was not. It felt quite natural, even their hardships were not unbelievable. I really liked that about them.

So I'm not going to go more into detail about the characters because I'm sure I'm gonna spoil something to you guys. To wrap things up about the characters, all of them were amazing. I didn't even made mention of a few notable ones, because if I did I'd have to explain where they came from and I'll be ruining the novel for you guys.

The plot, once again, was supposedly very simple. It's all about building a cathedral, and presenting complications while doing so. Yes, that's what happened in the novel, but once you get attached to the characters, you'll want to know what would happen to them. A lot of shocking things happened in the middle. You'll have to read to experience the amazing ride this novel gave me. All I can ask the author is, why did he give some of the characters such terrible outcomes? Honestly all the rapes that happened didn't really bother me as much as it did to the others. I took it in as something that was really evident in the medieval times. Why curse the author for trying to make the novel as spot on as it should be. I know that it's not something that's moral, but this is a novel, I don't think people should be complaining about it as much. It's not advertising rape, but rather the novel even condemned the shameful act. What happened to those rapists in the novel truly served them right.

This was not really about building the cathedral alone, but rather to what extent could good and evil dominate the people. A lot of wars and political issues were present in this novel. I really wasn't expecting those things, but I'm really glad they were there. Not only did it give depth to the plot, but it also added to the enjoyment I experience while reading the novel. An epic is an epic, and Pillar's is the perfect example of a great one.

n  n    Even the most ruthless people have some scruples, ultimately. n  n

n  n    The pity of his enemies was the most humiliating of all. n  n

To end this review, before I spoil anything, go ahead and read this novel. The size surely is unappealing at first, but once you start reading this, you'll only notice that you haven't been productive because you were too busy finishing it. 5/5 stars, and it possibly claimed the top spot of my favorites list. The best novel I've read as of now, alongside some of the novels of A Song of Ice and Fire. An easy and clear recommendation to anyone.

The Pillars Of The Earth is a curious beast. Before writing this review, I read a few reviews others have posted, specially those who had rated it one star. This book made me miserable and provided me with a fleeting enjoyment, probably a feeling associated with junkies. Unlike most long books, I can't fault Follet for stretching out his story with filler and padding. In fact, most of my decision for rating the book 4 stars comes from the fact that most chapters feel integral to the book.

The major divergence with many fans is what is balefully called the collateral damage generally, in the book. There is too much suffering. The numbers are only partly the reason for my distaste. It's not also that true justice and ample revenge was late in coming - in my opinion it never did - it's also the senselessness of the violence. The fact that we're supposed to shrug this off and put our onus on the main characters' particular saga against William Hamleigh intensified this malaise. This reminded me of bloody books of the YA genre that I've read. Exampli Gratia would be the 5th Wave, where most of humanity was wiped out in days and civilization was uprooted like that. To temper the blow of savagery, maybe, the character Jack, in the presence of the monk Phillip is made to wonder about reality in the future, where everything would be better. Allow me to scoff.

This book possesses flaws from both the grimmest of realistic books, and the fluffiest of escapist ones. The suffering goes on and on, more than the hanging scenes - or rather scenery - in the Game Of Thrones books. But the invincibility of the main characters in such a feral environment, the serendipitous pairing of the two major personages, Jack and Aliena, the fulfillment of a desperate oath, the selective trait whereby most of the good guys have a high IQ, the parable like twist where the wicked are undone by the very victims they helped populate, all of this result in a book that I don't like. The reasons of my respect for this book are themselves quite unsound. The ease of the writing, the uncomplicated, two dimensional characters, and the suspenseful exposure to danger between such characters are what made me feel hypocritical to rate the book 2 stars. That's a rating I would give, but I cannot ignore the reluctant pleasure the book gave me. It's a book I will never ever touch, as it's one in a long line of disillusionment and disappointments in my recent experiences as a reader. I celebrate, hail, and acknowledge the reviews of people who have rated the book one star, and I envy their immunity to the rural and cynical charms of it.

Extremely detailed and riveting!

This is seriously one of the worst books I've ever read. The only reason I finished the book is because I cannot put a book down once I start.

The writing is terrible. The plotting may be dramatic, but I had almost zero interest in any of the characters; they seem to exist merely for events to happen to them, like actors in a disaster movie. Beyond that there seemed to be three characters in the book: Bad guy, good guy, and good victimized-yet-able-to -overcome girl.

What got me most was: Ken Follett seemed so proud of his historical research that he mentions every 40 pages, "_____ took out his/her eating knife" Really, they didn't have forks, how is constantly reminding the audience of this fact important to the story? There were other oft repeated throughout the novel as well. This seemed like an attempt to fool the audience into thinking they're immersed in the middle ages, when the rest of the book could have taken place anywhere in time. One fact does not a novel make (unless it's a really clever fact.) The bad characters keeping the amazing building from completion felt like a fountainhead rip-off, but that might just be me.

On the positive (?) side the book is an extremely easy read, I might have enjoyed it more were I laying in the sun half drunk on something sweet and rum-filled. Violent sex too if that sort of thing titillates you.

Thank you "Wait Wait" for warning me of Oprah's evil plan, if I can save one person from reading this book my work will done.

This was a tough one to get through for me. I had such high hopes due to the high ratings and raves this book always gets. For me, it was less historical fiction and more medieval soap opera. The historical parts seemed tossed into the contrived storylines that seemed to go on and on. I tried to find something likable and redeemable in a character but I couldn’t. Most scenarios that started bad just got worse. Way too much repetition of what had already happened. I just didn’t like the writing or the way the plot just kept “one-upping” itself. Sigh. I wish I could jump on the Follett bandwagon like everyone else. But it’s not for me.

n  

“To someone standing in the nave, looking down the length of the church toward the east, the round window would seem like a huge sun exploding into innumerable shards of gorgeous color.”

nAmid a medieval cathedrals construction, a 900-page historical-fiction involving a tapestry – mostly commoner types – of very well developed characters. An epic drama mixed with lurid lust scenes, romance, suspense, violence, intrigue, political dispute, wars and much more.

Great read, recommended.

A fantastic story and incredible read. So many layers: 12th century rural life - the power of the monastery in everyday life; the defined strata of people's lives; and overlayed by incredible, rich characters. I binge read this the first volume. ( I purchased an e-version, since the book was too heavy to hold). Now I am into volume 2.

3.5 Holy cathedrals, that was a long ride. I really wanted to love this book, but sadly, at several parts I was very detached from the whole thing. And then at some others I was so into the story it almost hurt, especially when Philip or William where on the scene, those two made the book for me. It is a long story about injustice, love, religion and ancient architecture, with well constructed characters and an unbelievably perfect set. Maybe too much for someone who is not really a big Historical Fiction reader, like me, but if you like and know the genre already, The Pillars of the Earth is a must.



Un libro sobre la construcción de una catedral, que se ve siempre amenazada por el gobierno, la guerra, la misma religión y los personajes que hacen que estos tres temas converjan. Muy rica en historia, muy detallada en personajes y muy pesada en trama.

Creo que es una historia fantástica, pero no del todo interesante para mi. Aun así hubo muchas cosas que adore como Philip y toda su odisea para construir la catedral y todo lo relacionado con William porque a pesar de que era un hijo de perra, sus capítulos siempre fueron muy interesantes. Por otro lado a Tom, Ellen y Jack jamas los pude soportar.

Otra cosa que me gustó fue todo el detalle técnico sobre las catedrales, algo que me había frustrado mucho en Nuestra Señora de Paris, Ken Follet lo logra de manera increíble, gancha y da detalles sin extenderse demasiado. Acabas interesándote realmente en el tema.

Sin lugar a dudas, Los Pilares de la Tierra es una historia con toda una investigación detrás que le da credibilidad a su ficción, deja en entredicho la sociedad como realmente era sin caricaturizar nada. Una verdadera obra de ficción histórica digna de mención. Una pena que la mayoría de sus puntos altos no sean de gran interés para mi.

Recomendado para los fanáticos del género o bien para quienes quieran dar el siguiente paso en el.

✅ Fleshed-out characters
✅ Complex storyline
✅ Villains (Oh how I hate William Hamleigh!)
✅ World-building
✅ Details
✅ So many things happened!

n  n    “Having faith in God did not mean sitting back and doing nothing. It meant believing you would find success if you did your best honestly and energetically.”n  n

The year is 1123, as a red-haired man is accused of thievery and condemned to death by a knight, a monk, and a priest, his pregnant lover curses the three accusers. The consequences of their actions might not occur right this moment, but their children will hang, their enemy will prosper, and after that, they will spend the rest of their life with sorrow and regrets and only themselves to blame.

Well, Ken Follet made me fall in love with a 974 pages book about the building of a medieval cathedral... I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm glad I gave this book a chance!

While the pace is quite slow for most of the book and it's quite a long book, I couldn't stop reading it! It is a roller coaster of emotions, I felt hatred for some characters, joy, and sadness, it was truly a delightful read. There are love stories in this book, as well as betrayal, revenge, and ambitious projects moved forward by great minds.

Character development is most definitely one of Follet's strengths and it is amazingly done in this book. The characters are fleshed out with their very own personality, motivations, and flaws. Since the book is long we get the chance to really know them and to get attached to them, even the evil ones, I just love to hate them. I like that no character is all good and pious, they're all a mix of good and bad (or good and less good) as we all are in real life. There is a very good representation of rich and poor, narrow-minded and openly loving, big hearts and small minds. I really LOVED the cast of this book.

The backstories of the characters are well integrated into the flow of the book, there is no info-dump, and the foreshadowing is also very well done. There are hints that are dropped as the story goes on, but it's never too obvious as if the reader needed everything to be very very well explained in detail to understand what's coming. Eventually, everything connects and we can see the bigger picture, and see how the characters all seem to be connected to each other, even the ones that appeared to have nothing in common and no connection at all. It's all about the actions and consequences of their actions and decisions.

n  n    Nevertheless, the book gave Jack a feeling he had never had before, that the past was like a story, in which one thing led to another, and the world was not a boundless mystery, but a finite thing that could be comprehended. n  n

The beautiful thing about this book is that EVERYTHING has a purpose. Something that happened in the third chapter can have repercussions at p.850. The storyline is so complex, it is amazing that it feels so smooth and that it flows so well.

n  n    “You never know," Jack said speculatively. "There may come a time when savages like William Hamleigh aren't in power; when the laws protect the ordinary people instead of enslaving them; when the king makes peace instead of war. Think of that - a time when towns in England don't need walls!”n  n

Even though this book is dark and full of frustration, misery, and even despair sometimes, I absolutely loved it, and I felt that through everything, the characters still held hope. Hope for a better future, hope because, in the end, some of the good characters triumphed, hope because they chose to keep believing and to keep hoping.


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I like it.
I also found out there's a tv and game adaptaption for this and got me curious.

—Espero que construyas tu catedral —susurró.
—Creí que no querías que lo hiciera —dijo él, sorprendido.
—Sí, pero estaba equivocada. Te mereces algo hermoso.
Tom no comprendía el significado de aquellas palabras.
—Construye una hermosa catedral para mí —prosiguió Agnes.n

Entre los edificios más majestuosos de la antigüedad tenemos a las catedrales, esta es la historia de cómo se construyo una de ellas y de todos los contratiempos, esfuerzos y planes que hay detrás de ella.



Esta historia tiene de todo, ambición, guerra, amor, odio, desgracias, vaya que si las tiene, sabiduría, clemencia, misterio, arquitectura mucha arquitectura, luchas de poder, entre reyes, y aspirantes a reyes, entre señores terratenientes, entre el clero, vaya juego de tronos de poder que se da en la iglesia, incluso entre los constructores de la catedral.

Personajes ¡wau! un sinfín de personajes, que me llevaría muchos párrafos describir a todos detalladamente, en el espectro masculino vemos casi todas las personalidades, y en los femeninos, quizá no haya muchos pero las que hay son geniales

Este libro me llevo por una montaña rusa emocional, odie infinitamente al que se ha convertido en el villano más despreciable del que leído William Hamleigh maldito desgraciado como disfrute con la justicia de su muerte,  sufrí con las desgracias de los personajes, que son bastantes, pero sentía admiración de cómo incluso después de cada golpe, de cada caída se levantaban de nuevo y continuaban con sus vidas de la mejor forma en que podían ¿no es ese el quid del espíritu humano?
Ame la sabiduría de Philip, la decisión de Aliena, la bondad de Tom, la fuerza de voluntad de Ellen y las pasiones de Jack.

Lo bueno: Mas de 1400 páginas damas y caballeros, casi 40 años de historia transcurren en el libro y sobretodo quería, no, necesitaba continuar leyendo y así saber que iba a suceder.

Lo malo: solo un par de cosas no me gustaron tanto, ARQUITECTURA, cuanta arquitectura hay en este libro, había momentos en que quería decirle a Tom, hombre amo tu pasión pero ¡te podrías callar!



Y aunque los personajes femeninos que hay son, como dije, geniales, me parecieron escasos, vamos Follet que la edad media sea machista no significa que había menos mujeres.

En fin, no le tengan miedo al grosor de este libro, como lo tuve yo por bastante tiempo antes de comenzarlo, denle una oportunidad a los Pilares de la tierra, les aseguro que se encontraran con una historia impresionante de la humanidad y sus proyectos colosales.

P.D. Tambien pueden ver mi reseña de n  Un mundo sin finn aquí