Will I love The Pillars of the Earth?

I was living in Madrid, Spain, when one of my friends and fellow English-language teachers, Heather, nudged me and said, “James, you have to read this.”

I was in my “James only reads highbrow literature” era, so I told her that the cover looked too pulpy (yes, I was guilty of judging a book by its cover). Thankfully, my respect for Heather forced me to overlook my biases and give Pillars a shot. I’m so glad I did.

The prose style is simple and accessible (obeying Animal Farm author George Orwell’s advice to write prose as transparent as a “windowpane”).… show more.

The first of a brilliant historical series spanning many centuries in English history, this is a tale of ambition, anarchy and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England. I thought it gave a wonderful insight into the Dark Ages and the following eras, based around a number of individuals and their descendants as the stories unfold in different centuries as civilization develops.

In my opinion, this is phenomenal storytelling over three massive tomes that didn’t bore for a second.

When I heard this book was about the building of a medieval cathedral, I almost yawned. But others promoted it, so I picked it up, and boy, was I wrong. Follett recreates the little-known time in history—at least to me—with such clarity I thought I was right there, climbing the rafters of the cathedral along with his characters.

When I read this, I wanted to tell my old history teachers that history does NOT have to be boring. Follett is so skillful at transporting readers into this unusual time and place that they (I) cried for more, and there are… show more.

I loved this book because the story and characters in it were so fascinating, and I learned a lot about the history of the time and how ordinary people lived. Although the book is a hefty tome, I really didn’t want it to end. I couldn’t put it down and read the whole book in a couple of days. I was so delighted when Ken Follett wrote a sequel.

I loved how Follett weaved the stories of ordinary people around what was happening with the kings and queens of the day. I also loved how he created strong female characters… show more.

This was an epic book, masterfully woven throughout time, and a pleasure to read. The characters were vivid and real, and although I very much disliked some of the more graphic scenes, I put up with them for the sake of the magnificent story and scope of the book.

Phillip and Aliana were my favourite characters, and I was completely drawn in to the drama.

OMG. I have recommended this book to more people than any other. It’s truly a historical fiction masterpiece. I read slowly but my eyes flew over these titillating pages as if I was a famished glutton and had to devour them quickly lest they disappear. The intrigue! The avarice! The anarchy!

It is an ambitious literary project that splashes over the colorful canvas set in 12th-century England. If, like me, you love the complexities of the human condition, read this book and prepare for the rapture that is virtuoso storytelling.

Despite his success as a spy/thriller novelist, Ken Follett had trouble finding a publisher when he tried his hand at historical fiction. Fortunately, he persisted and published this book, which outsold every novel he'd ever written.

When it was first released, my wife refused to let me read it as I was in the midst of writing my own book. “It’s too similar to your story,” she said. It may throw you off.” Although set several centuries after my book's story, the world had changed little and featured similar conflicts between pagans and the church. Where my book tells the… show more.

I utterly loved this book so much it is in the top five books I ever read. Although it is years since I read it I still remember Aliena (the main female character) so well it is as if I know her personally. I wish there were a sequel with her in it. 

The book had it all – a fantastic plot that grabs you from the first chapter and then branches off into seemingly unconnected subplots, and it is only at the end that it all comes together. An amazing job and inspired me more than any other book… show more.

A great book that is captivating throughout. The Pillars of the Earth is about the Priory of Kingsbridge in England, which grows from a small village at the beginning to a vibrant and lively city.

At the center of the story is the building of the cathedral, where all the major characters gather. The story tells of the main characters' attempts to find happiness. Whether they succeed in the end is not revealed, because these 1300 pages must be read. But they are worth it. You hardly want to put the book down.

Ken Follett manages to take the reader… show more.

This book took me to another place and time, one that I do not typically study or read about. While I love English history, I know little about this period.

The characters are complex, relatable, and infuriating. I spent the whole book cheering for Lady Aliena, admiring Prior Phillip, and hating William Hamleigh. I don’t know that I hated a book character more outside of Harry Potter’s Professor Umbridge!

This historical fiction masterpiece amid medieval cathedrals will make you feel intensely.