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The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth
Author: Ken Follett
Ken Follett had long been a staple of the bestseller lists for his novels of intrigue and espionage. Then came The Pillars of the Earth, a grand novel of epic storytelling that readers and critics quickly hailed as his crowning achievement. Now, The Pillars of the Earth is available for the first time to a new audience of readers, ...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780451207142
ISBN-10: 0451207149
Publication Date: 2/4/2002
Pages: 976
Rating:
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 255

4.4 stars, based on 255 ratings
Publisher: NAL Trade
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Firefly avatar reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 43
This book looks long, but it draws you in and makes you want to know what happens next, so you'll find yourself finding a spare minute to read every chance you get. Great character development, and the author follows characters for many years. A story that gets you involved, along with some historical aspects of cathedral building. I enjoyed it immensely!
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 35
This book is very well written, but it is an epic tale with 983 pages. My husband and I read it together on a road trip (he drives, I read aloud). He would make excuses to go places in the car after we arrived at our destination just so we could continue the book! It is set in the 12th century, but "touches all human emotion---love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair." The characters are very real and touchable, and it draws you right into their world.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 29
This was a captivating and vividly depicted novel of medieval England. Forget that the main theme is the building of a cathedral- this is a book about the personalities, relationships and history behind that beautiful piece of architecture!I loved this story.
lucky7 avatar reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on
Helpful Score: 21
A really good read. I only just picked it up despite its being originally published almost 20 years ago and it kept my interest throughout, all 900 plus pages. No romanticizing past times here, just the raw data and descriptions of 12th century life as it was...a continuous struggle to meet even the most basic needs. The corruption of the church, the tenuous reign of Kings, and relationships within the classes is all depicted. Then we get to learn how these magnificent cathedrals were really built. The craftsmen and workers each have their story. Depressing at times? yes, but that's because Follett pulls you in to caring about the lead characters, feeling their anguish and rejoicing in their brief moments of joy.
myanniecat avatar reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 218 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 19
This is one of my all-time favorite books. After reading the jacket, I didn't think I'd like it because it's not my usual fare. But once I started it, I couldn't wait to get back to it. I loved everything about it and still think about the main characters....
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welee avatar reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 31 more book reviews
This book is an incredible read. There is so much history and learning. It takes you through so many emotions. It spans through 40-50 years approx. The story is amazing and Follett does an excellent job of grabbing you and wrapping you up in the characters. Totally shocking at times. This has been my second favorite book to date. This is one I want for my library. I have watched the mini-series. It was done very well and the only book to movie I have felt they did justice to( Mind you I didn't get to see series until a year after reading book). The mini-series should be rated X instead of R.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 118 more book reviews
LOVED this book - actually listened to audio version. Detailed story of learning how to build cathedral in medieval England.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 7 more book reviews
A massive work. Well worth the time spent.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 5 more book reviews
I love this story...it's a great historical fiction account of the building of a cathedral with great human stories weaved throughout. The author spans about 40 years and I appreciate following the characters's lives to experience their ups, downs, successess, tragedies and much more. Wonderful book and I'm looking forward to reading another Ken Follett book.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 2 more book reviews
I have read thousands and this ranks as one of the very best ever; Loved it,loved it!!
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 20 more book reviews
Extraordinary amazing. I couldn't stop reading it.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 29 more book reviews
AWESOME! What a great book for people who are interested in the architecture of a cathedral with murder, pillaging, cunning, romance and the politics of the church and country in 1400's England. I know 970+ pages sounds huge, but I had a difficult time putting it down once I started!
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 5 more book reviews
a masterpiece. set in the 12th century, druids, monks, worth reading a book. I loved it
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 121 more book reviews
This was the best Ken Follett I had read up to this point. I LOVE history. And this is the first time that Follett has ventured out of the spy-thriller genre and tried his hand out on historical fiction. It is wonderful! It's actually one of the best books I've ever read and I read it twice. The second time was when the sequel to this book, World Without End came out 18 years later. I read them back to back. Wonderful, outstanding books.
sweetevil avatar reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on
The Pillars of the Earth is such a wonderful story. This audio CD version has a great narrator (I love Richard E. Grant!) who gives all the characters life. I have not read the full-length version, but I did not feel that I was missing anything by listening to this abridged version.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 11 more book reviews
A vast and sweeping epic novel that doesn't give you a second of down-time. Ken Follett has turned out a masterpiece that will keep you spellbound to the last page. A unique and fascinating insight into the world of the builders of cathedrals as well as the powers behind them.
Listed as one of the top 1,000 books of all time and for a reason.
reviewed The Pillars of the Earth on + 49 more book reviews
Read it several years ago, and read it again after receiving it as a Christmas gift. Couldn't put it down either time.

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