#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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THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ.
one of the best ever
My most favourite book.
My all time favorite book. Read it twice. Time to read it again.
Very long but good
Too much graphic sex. Rape. No thanks.
just amazing
I learned so much about architecture, great church architecture in particular of the period. Fascinating book.
Ken Follett does it again. Another terrific and engaging historical fiction novel. Can’t wait to get started on the next one in this series.
A book to remember even years after reading it.
I am not one for “tales of yore” but this one is delicious. Recommended by a friend so I took a shot and was so sad when I finished because I wanted it to last so much longer. Beautiful writing, spectacular imagery, captivating characters and a story that never stops enchanting. Follett was a master of the spy novel and this book shows he can be a genius at any genre he chooses.
A great dip into history, and Follett’s series of historical novels.
Ken, I see why this is one of the best stories you have told, the amount of research you put into this made the book an absolute treasure. So much so that I read it TWICE just so I could take in all the details of the stories and the characters you created. I love LOVE love this book. It took me back to Europe, back to the amazing cathedrals I enjoyed. Wonderfully done.
Great read! Highly recommend!
The only book I have read three times. Loved it. Too complex to describe why I loved it in Just a few words. Historical, realistic, intriguing plot, well developed characters of all types, in-depth, some times happy but just as often not ….
Great historical. You will be shocked at how entertaining this book is given that church architecture plays such a big role. It is a big world with complex characters. Very enjoyable.
one of the most fascinating, enjoyable books I have ever read. Follet hit this one, and the series, out of the park
This is my favorite book!!
I am a voracious reader, and this historical fiction book is among my top 3 favorites of all time. I wish I could give it more than a 5-star review! At over 800 pages it’s a lofty read, but do not let the book’s length hinder you. Pillars of the Earth had been recommended to me by a friend who is a librarian, but I kept putting it on the back burner due to its length–plus the storyline just didn’t seem appealing. My mistake! I couldn’t put it down and truly hated to see the story end, carrying the book’s characters with me for a very long time after I finished. My husband is not as avid a reader as I, but I talked him into reading Pillars of the Earth and relived it all again when he finished. We enjoyed discussing all we had learned about the 12th century world of building cathedrals (you will be fascinated by the vision, skill, and dedication involved), monks, bishops, and life in general during that era. That simple summary sounds trite, and my words just cannot do this this epic novel justice. So I will end my review this way–Get it. Read it. Thank me later.
Loved this book for its fascinating glimpse into Developing England during the Middle Ages