Rarely do you fall on a book that’s got everything working for it: a great story line, riveting characters, extraordinary writing style and thorough historical details. The story plot is action-packed and features such themes as despair, treachery, corruption, betrayal and love. The author also depicts here a fine reconstruction of what twelfth-century life was like. The result makes for a book that is quite dense and complex where you can never guess what will happen later on, which makes it a powerful and undeniable page-turner. The small downside is that it is a tad bit slow to start and that some of the technical jargon concerning the architecture and the building of the cathedral might discourage some. As for the characters, the author makes it clear that he has great insight into people behavior as his creations come alive on the paper as well as in our imagination. The author also adds a layer of complexity to his story through the intertwining of his characters’s lives. This effect is achieved through the over description that is made of their thoughts and their feelings. The result is simply magnificent as you are powerless to hate those who have a despicable and dark nature and love the heroes even through their rough patches. This novel is not doubt a long-term commitment, but I can assure anyone who will take this path that it will be worthwhile and that there are no disappointments whatsoever. You will be completely and utterly immersed in this book until you resurface at the very end of it. For more on this book and others, come and visit my blog at : ladybugandotherbookworms.blogspot.com

Wonderful plot, solid writing, riveting characters, and beautiful insight into life in England in the 12th Century. Only criticisms I have are that the technical rants about cathedral building sometimes went on too long, and that the end of the book could have come earlier. Despite the drawn out ending, many character conflicts were appropriately resolved. One of my favourite reads!

It's been now two years since I have read The Pillars of the Earth. What a great book!! One of the best books I have ever read. The beginning is a bit slow though. The reader of this book must be patient because it is a very long book with its 974 pages, but it is certainly not a waste of time. The whole story is thrilling and the history base line is nothing but a masterpiece. Truly a book of his own. I recommend this book to everyone!!

This is by far one of the best books Ive ever read. Staged around the 1100's, the book is full of treachery, despair, love, hate, and everything inbetween. Explictly details the hard times of the old ages, and terrible things people had to go through, but when good things come to the ones who finally deserve them it makes it that much better.

Mr. Follet really does a wonderful job creating and developing the characters throughout the story. It is true to history as it can be, with Kingsbridge being a fictional town (therefore any historical events occuring in Kingsbridge are also fictional), based on the fact that the building of large cathedrals took many decades. The author does an amazing job of character development; sometimes a bit over-despcriptive, he goes into great and vast quantities of detail about what the characters think and feel as they interact with the world around them. Although it seemed a tad long, there is nothing that should be removed. Anyone who enjoys historical novels, period dramas, architecture, the Middle Ages, history in general, or even simply intelligent and mature writing, should most definitely pick up this gem and enjoy what a wonderful world Ken Follet has created.

What a fantastic book! I agree it can be a bit harsh to read at times. The storyline and intertwining of the characters in each others lives keeps me turning the pages. Don't let the size of this book disourage you, it is well worth it!

A friend recommended Pillars of the Earth to me. I am so glad she did. I loved Pillars of the Earth. Great from start to finish. A must read. I recommed this book to everyone. I will be reading World Without End.

Not what I was expecting...lots of action-always keeps you guessing! I would absolutely recommend this book!

I became obsessed with the story from the momment that I picked this book up. I love how women are described as powerful and strong. Ken Follett has become a favorite author of mine and I will be reading more of his work in the future.

What a great book! Great storyline with unforgettable characters.