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The Pillars of the Earth |  | Author: Ken Follett
Publisher: Signet
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  1595 reviews
Sales Rank: 35
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Pages: 973
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
ASIN: B000UZPI2U
Publication Date: February 4, 2002
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Product Description
As a new age dawns in England's twelfth century, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral sets the stage for a story of intrigue and power, revenge and betrayal.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1595
 Wonderful - Why did I wait so long? September 7, 2010
Eclectic Booklover (US)
I've been meaning to read this book for about 10 years now---has that ever happened to you?
Well, I finally took the plunge, by reading and listening to this book. Nearly 1,000 pages in print and 32 discs, unabridged audio version, this epic novel was well worth the time I spent. The prologue alone, hooked me immediately. For those of you who still haven't read this novel, this is how the prologue began.....
"The small boys came early to the hanging.
It was still dark when the first three or four of them sidled out of the hovels, quiet as cats in their felt boots. A thin layer of fresh snow covered the little town like a new coat of paint, and theirs were the first footprints to blemish its perfect surface. They picked their way through the huddled wooden huts and along the streets of frozen mud to the silent market-place, where the gallows stood waiting.
The boys despised everything their elders valued. They scorned beauty and mocked goodness. They would hoot with laughter at the sight of a cripple, and if they saw a wounded animal they would stone it to death. They boasted of injuries and wore their scars with pride, and they reserved their special admiration for mutilation: a boy with a finger missing could be their king. They loved violence; they would run miles to see bloodshed; and they never missed a hanging."
Set in 12th century England, Ken Follett has woven a rich and colorful story of people, places and events. The story spans a period of fifty years, and for the most part revolves around the building of a wondrous Gothic Cathedral in the destitute township of Kingsbridge, after the former dilapidated church burns to the ground.
Some of the central characters are: Tom, a master builder, Aliena, a beautiful noblewoman and daughter of the fallen Earl, Brother Philip, Prior of Kingsbridge, Jack, an artist and stone mason, Eileen, a forest woman who can cast spells. Other characters include, monks, bishops, craftsmen, peasants, soldiers and noblemen --this book has it all. The characters are complex and memorable, and as a reader. I felt fully transported to another place and time. The author's attention to detail, allows you to wrap yourself up in the characters and their lives. Pillars of the Earth is a brilliant epic tale that tells of love, war, politics, and even torture and death. I was sorry to see this one end. I hope to get a copy of the sequel, World Without End soon. The reader of the audio version, John Lee, was excellent, and I highly recommend both reading and listening to this novel for maximum pleasure.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - 5/5 stars
Best historical novel I've ever read September 4, 2010
Joseph Pratana (Indonesia)
Actually I knew this novel for quite sometimes, but i have never considered to buy it the first time.
It is because of the 1,000 pages plus and the medieval story.
Then i was attracted to the text on the cover of the book, which is "international bestseller".
Then i think if the book becomes international bestseller, there must be something about the story.
So i bought the book and started read it. And i couldn't stop reading it.
For me the story it is like took me driving around among the historical characters, figures and events.
It is worth the time.
book August 29, 2010
David Seibert (HORSESHOE BEND, ARKANSAS, US)
What an excellent book, I received it and started to read it. It was spell binding from the first page and to the last. As in some books you are disappointed in the ending this one I was not. Ken Follett wrapped up the entire story and makes you want to read any of the following books that he may have wrote. Get the book I promise that you will not be disappointed.
 Not the Worst Book Ever Written August 29, 2010
Inigo Jones (New York)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
...but it should definitely be on the list. Every reviewer who has given this trash one star has already covered the ground, but I'm so mad at myself for actually reading the Whole Book, that I must add my two cents.
Obvious plotting
One dimensional characters
Anachronistic language throughout
Gratuitous violence
Lame writing
Silly nonsense
My mother would have called it "tripe", and I suppose they would have understood that word in the Middle Ages too.
I just read the first few pages of "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel, set a few hundred years later and about that other King Henry and that other Thomas. What writing! and What a difference.
Great Book Too Small Print August 29, 2010
The ACE
0 out of 5 found this review helpful
Wanting to read for the third time. Ordered this particular version not realizing that for this size large publication that the print would be so small that i returned to reorder a "regular" version of Pillars.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1595
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