#1 New York Times BestsellerOprah’s Book Club SelectionThe “extraordinary . . . monumental masterpiece” (Booklist) that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career. Look out for Ken’s newest book, A Column of Fire, available now.“Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling … release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal.
The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.
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One of my all-time favourites, could read it a hundred times over. Follett has an incredible talent for drawing you in early and keeping you hooked all the way through. As well as being a beautifully told story, the book gives you valuable insight into how life was in the middle ages. You gain a whole new appreciation for the difficulties the population faced, as well as sheer awe of what they were able to accomplish despite the odds.
If I could rate this book higher, I would. An unforgettable tale and one of the best stories I’ve ever read.
I loved this book – the story stayed with me for months after. Despite the graphic sex and violence, I so enjoyed getting lost in this world. Fascinating!
I love this book so much, I read it once a decade!
Phenomenal medieval historical fiction! I was immersed within the daily life of these people.
This book at 950+ pages was worth every page. I could not get enough of the characters, the setting and the story. Great read and even though it is a big book it reads fast. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I read this out of order as once I read “World Without End,” I was so captivated that I had to go back to read this one. It was good, but I much preferred “World Without End.”
Follett creates such a remarkable world full of characters you love and you hate. And to think it takes place over 500 years ago… so many historical adventures, realities… I love the relationship people had with the church — not so much from a religious perspective, but in how it defined every action and thought in their day. It was a powerful time period.
And when I think about what I would have done if I lived in that time period… not sure I would have survived very long.
The detail woven into these stories is exemplary. That’s what makes his novels feel so magical and inviting.
Listened to this as an Audio Book. Highly recommend!
This story covers so much about human behavior. And politics in families, church’s, and what passes for government or law. Just a well written first book in a series by a master storyteller.
Wonderfully written. The characters come alive on the pages. The author writes in such a way that puts you right in the story, feeling , hearing, smelling all that he describes. Exceptional. I look forward to reading it again! Thank you Ken Follet!
I am a book lover and of all the books I’ve read this, and it’s sequel, World Without End, are the BEST stories I’ve ever read. Don’t let the length intimidate you, you zip right through it.
The author confesses that he became fascinated with medieval architecture, and that inspired him to write this book (which became a trilogy). Fascinating insight on how cathedrals came to be built, and the day-to-day details of medieval life for all strata of society. It gave me a new insight into history! Well-written;if it doesn’t hook you I’ll be surprised.
It took a bit to get going and the books page count was daunting. All worth it!! Excellent writing and character building. Intrigue and political jousting. History folded into this authors writings seems quite accurate. Who knew a book about building cathedrals would be so amazing. The sequel was also great. Highly recommend this book and the sequel as well as many other Ken Follet (sorry spelling)
I loved this book, it is a long read but you end up falling in love with the characters and will find yourself saying – just one more chapter. It is a historical novel, and it makes you think how life must have been. had to read the others in the series afterwards but I enjoyed them all
An incredible story that follows the ambitions of one man who wants to build the greatest cathedral in Gothic history; the man who becomes the architect for the project, and other very flawed, yet compelling characters. This is a total departure from Follett’s books about WWII, but I was completely spellbound and could not put the book down. I had read “The Key to Rebecca”, “Triple”, “Eye of the Needle” as well as several other Follett books, but this is by far his masterpiece.
A very-well-told, well-researched epic of England during a 100-year period in the 1100s. Lots of interwoven plots with lots of characters. A very believable, historically-accurate, and well-written equivalent of the series Game of Thrones (far better than Game of Thones, too I might add!).
Follet followed it with and an equally wonderful “Pillars of the Earth” which takes place with descendants of the original characters in the 1300s.
This is a must read..period.
It’s rare that I review a novel that has already received as much enthusiasm as Pillars of the Earth. However, there are few books that can parallel the magnificence of this book. The story is of a cathedral being built in medival England, and the host of characters involved in its creation and hinderance. In short appearance the story of a cathedral being built may not sound appealing, but the depth of the characters are so artfully written that readers across all genres will find themselves drawn into the world of Kingsbridge, and all the people inhabiting its world. The central plot spans lifetimes, with creative elements of historical accuracy woven into the tale. Pillars of the Earth is a shinning example of what makes Ken Follett a master storyteller, who will be revered for decades to come.
Read this book a few times,every time is a pleasure.
Loved this book, another one in my top five of all time.