The Pillars of the Earth

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It's a hit!

This book is like a family size bag of Doritos. You know you shouldn't eat the whole bag and you know its not really good for you but you just can'... (show more)

This book is like a family size bag of Doritos. You know you shouldn't eat the whole bag and you know its not really good for you but you just can't stop! Its a medieval soap opera and Ken Follet had me hooked and I read the whole book in a little over a week. I didn't stop and dwell on the often bad writing and strange mix of ye olde English speak mixed in with 20th century speak.I just wanted to find out if the cathedral would get built and make sure that Prior Philip survived all 1000 pages. The tunic lifting bad guys were really really bad and the heroines were really beautiful and brave. It is a timeless classic - no, would I read it again - no. Am I glad that I read it - yes and will I read the sequel - can't wait to get my hands on it! (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-gebruiker

No, it's a flop!

I picked up The Pillars of the Earth based on it's popularity and sporadic citings as a "modern classic". What I found as I slogged my way through ... (show more)

I picked up The Pillars of the Earth based on it's popularity and sporadic citings as a "modern classic". What I found as I slogged my way through was a remarkably poorly written book filled to the brim with anachronisms, innacuracies and nonsensical plot devices. The characters are completely unbelievable, not to mention one dimensional and rather stupid. Bad guys are always evil to the core, good guys are always good, religious men are ambitious rather than spiritual and atheists abound. Besides the glaring historical innacuracies and pathetic attempts at characterizations, the prose is simplistic and lifeless.

While the basic premise of the novel is intriguing, Follet was completely out of his depth in tackling this project. He should have stayed with thrillers, where characters are expected to be predictable and simple and readers don't demand that they are anything like well written.

In short, The Pillars of the Earth is 900 pages of pure drivel. Read something else. (show less)

 

 

by Michael Crill

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  First, I am going to complain about this book. The writing is trite and he doesn't even attempt at making the characters think or act in a way that is appropriate for his time period. The good guys are very good, the bad guys are outrageously bad, and the damsels in distress are bwetiful and resourceful. Two separate couples are cruelly kept apart for years by fate. Meh. On the other hand, this book is the crack cocaine of books, you can't put it down, and I have read it many times. It ... (show more)

  First, I am going to complain about this book. The writing is trite and he doesn't even attempt at making the characters think or act in a way that is appropriate for his time period. The good guys are very good, the bad guys are outrageously bad, and the damsels in distress are bwetiful and resourceful. Two separate couples are cruelly kept apart for years by fate. Meh. On the other hand, this book is the crack cocaine of books, you can't put it down, and I have read it many times. It is sort of like ABBA music, you know it is lacking in quality but at the same time you can't stop yourself from rocking out to "Dancing Queen". Plus, I found myself fascinated by the descriptions of building a cathedral. Is an odd book where you skip the romance and go straight to the difficulties in getting enough stones for a building - but so it is. If you have a really long airplane ride in your future there is no better book to have with you - and don't forget the ABBA on your ipod! (show less)

   

   

  by Kathy Joseph on Aug 02, 2008 at 08:11PM

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  f it wasn't for the 973 pages it has, I would've re-read it again as soon as I finished the last word of the last line on page 973. What more, I never thought I would like a book based on the 12th century. But the storyline, characters, and lessons of the book were addictive. New York Daily News review got it right on point: "A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all."

  I felt everyone of those emotions throughout the... (show more)

  f it wasn't for the 973 pages it has, I would've re-read it again as soon as I finished the last word of the last line on page 973. What more, I never thought I would like a book based on the 12th century. But the storyline, characters, and lessons of the book were addictive. New York Daily News review got it right on point: "A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all."

  I felt everyone of those emotions throughout the book. I even read some passages to my boyfriend because I wanted tos hare the bits and pieces of what I found moving, frustrating, appalling, addictive.

  Its an easy-to-read book and the storyline is amazingly impressive and gripping. The characters stir all the human emotions inside of you -- emotions you never knew would come out from mere words on paper. The author portrays the best human lessons and emotions through the characters' dialogue and how he depicts what the character is thinking/feeling.

  This is one book I will be keeping on my shelf, and I rarely keep books b/c I barely re-read them and they take up space, and become one more thing to dust. I think when I get the chance, and run out of books to read that are within my reach, I will re-read "The Pillars of the Earth" again. Now go and read it! Learn something about good, evil, love, betrayal, lust, loyalty, human and state transformation, and learn something about yourself -- that you might actually like the book ;) (show less)

   

   

  by Jamlen Frondoso on Feb 08, 2009 at 01:25PM

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