Linda S. (Ladyslott) reviewed on 12/10/2007 + 113 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 18

This book is being touted as the long awaited sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, which was published 18 years ago. Although it is set in the same town as the original book and some of the characters from the past are mentioned this story occurs 200 years after the events in Pillars.

Four children witness a murder in the forest near their home. They never tell anyone of what happened that day and never discuss it among themselves. The four children, Merthin and Ralph brothers of a disgraced knight, Caris daughter of a rich merchant and Gwenda the destitute daughter of a thief, live vastly different lives but their paths are always entwined with each others. Over the course of 34 years we follow these four through their loves and losses and learn to care for some and loathe others, but always we are wrapped up in their story.

Although I think Pillars was a better book, I think this one is not too far off the mark. We have a lot of the same themes that were visited in that tale here: Star crossed love, wicked nobleman, ambitious monks, hard working poorly treated peasants, murder, death, betrayal, and the Black Plague. Through it all you root for some people to overcome the obstacles thrown in their way and wait for others to get payback for all the evil they do.

Once again I learned many things about life in those Dark Ages and was fascinated by all the detail Follett put into his work. This is a huge book, over 1000 pages, yet I managed to read it in about a week and a half, about 500 pages over the past two days; I just had to know how it would all turn out.

If you loved Pillars I don't think you will be disappointed.

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