Helpful Score: 1
I bought the book in the airport. Usually I feel that I am being overcharged for books bought in the airport. I feel World without End was worth every penny! I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed the read and look forward to reading Pillars of the Earth.
Helpful Score: 1
"Pillars of the Earth" is one of my favorite books of all time. This sequel might rank as one of my least. I am halfway through and have rolled my eyes countless times. I have thought of abandoning it, but I spent good money on this dud so by gum I'm going to read it. That's how bad it is. The speaking style and words used by the characters remind me of 21st century mall-rats. Follett seems to think readers are clamoring for a sex scene every five pages or so...and not tasteful sex scenes either. I feel like he wrote this for teenagers whose interest will wane without sex, sex, sex. This book is just plain DUMB.
I've had this book on my shelf for a couple of years and finally decided to read it after seeing the TV mini-series. I enjoyed the mini-series but the book was so much better! The TV series changed a lot of the story, in some cases quite drastically. Anyway, the book is superb storytelling! It is a sequel of sorts to Pillars of the Earth which I read about 20 years ago and have always considered to be one of the best historical novels ever. Well, I don't remember a lot of the details of Pillars, but World Without End is truly great story-telling. The book is over 1200 pages but Follett's prose makes this an easy book to read. He keeps you engrossed in the story. It takes place 200 years after Pillars in the town of Kingsbridge during the 14th century. The characters are all vividly portrayed including Caris, the healer turned nun; Merthin the builder; Gwenda, the peasant girl; Ralph, the ruthless brother of Merthin turned knight; and the monks Godwyn and Philemon. The events of the novel take place during the hundred years war between France and England during the reign of Edward III. It is also during the time of the black plague and its decimation of the population of England and Europe. This all leads to the downfall of feudalism and the start of modern methods of medicine and disease treatment and prevention. All in all, a very high recommendation for World Without End!
Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors. His books always hold my interest from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.
very long, descriptive and detailed...enjoyed Pillars of the Earth much more
I loved the first of this "trilogy" (of which Book 3 is not yet written!); this (second) one was almost as good - same setting; engaging characters and story!
