Ken Follett: The Pillars Of The Earth

[Libra]

I have read POTE and really enjoyed it.I have read reviews and peoples comments about it and how historically inaccurate it is and how it is badly written and how a "certain scene" was too graphic and only a man would make up such a scene. How people back then had better hygiene than what Follet writes.
Me not being a history buff I enjoyed the book as a story and about the cathedrals but others who do have some history knowledge or not , what do you think?

[Robert]

This is one of the few books that has been on my tbr pile for the last two years. Those that I know that have read it have nothing but great things to say about it. I really need to ensure it floats to the top over the next few months.

[Libra]

Originally Posted by Robert

This is one of the few books that has been on my tbr pile for the last two years. Those that I know that have read it have nothing but great things to say about it. I really need to ensure it floats to the top over the next few months.

Get to it so we can analyze it! I am alone! lol

[angerball]

^No, you're not alone - I'm still here!! I've read POTE twice, and enjoyed it both times (though my memory about it isn't very good :o ). It's the first historical fiction I read, and I was just completely hooked by it. I loved the story, and the characters - it was so compelling, and I really had to know what happened to them as the story went on.

On the other hand, I found the sequel to be quite dire. Plotless and pointless is my summary of it.

[Libra]

I read it a year ago and enjoyed it,but when another author was critisizing it I did my own search. I didn't find major inacuracies ,Cathedrals were being built, cleansiness was not like today and even though they found kings teeth with no cavities , the regular people did not have the same advantages.And as for a certain rape scene, that could be only written by a man, I find that rubbish.I think they just didn't like Follet at all
WWE I haven't read yet.

[angerball]

I didn't like World Without End at all; there was just no story. I posted a review about it somewhere here. It's nothing compared to POTE, which is a shame as I had such high hopes about it, and was waiting for a long time for it to be released.

[Libra]

Originally Posted by angerball

I didn't like World Without End at all; there was just no story. I posted a review about it somewhere here. It's nothing compared to POTE, which is a shame as I had such high hopes about it, and was waiting for a long time for it to be released.

Someone gave it to me as a gift, hardcover, about 45 dollars with the taxes here in Canada, doggone it I am going to read it! lol

[angerball]

You never know - you may enjoy it, Libra. I was just hoping for something very similar to POTE, but didn't feel like it delivered. :(

[doublelle]

Just listened to both on audio while commuting and running. LOVED them both.

Wondering if anyone can recommend any books similar in length and detail to character. I even enjoyed the Earls, Knights, midevil themes (which is uncharacteristic for me!)

[Libra]

The Eagle and The Raven- Pauline Gedge

The Greatest Knight, and The Scarlet Lion- Elizabeth Chadwick

and if you want to go with a looong series, try Outlander-Diana Gabaldon

[monstergarden]

Hopefully one of you remembers...
On page 622 of the paperback, towards the bottom of the page a paragraph begins "And knife an outlaw, she thought; and throw a dishonest priest to the floor, ..."
I don't remember the priest bit at all. Does anyone know what this was referring to?

[Libra]

Yup When Aliena and her brother went and visited their father in jail, he told them that he had given "Father Ralph" 50 Denatzs for them. When they left the jail, they went to find the Father and here is what happens : p383 and the story starts with the paragraph, "Richard led the way....

[monstergarden]

Thanks! I remember it all now.

[Libra]

Glad to help.

[Fraggle]

POTE was the first book I'd read by Ken Follett and I really enjoyed it. It's a first for me to read historical fiction and I was surprised at how into the book I got.
I've now purchased World Without End and hope I'll like it as I see from the views here that the people who have read it weren't too impressed by it at all, but we shall see