The Pillars of the Earth

Very very surprised

I am usually a fan of thriller type books and have listened to authors like Charlaine Harris and Nelson Demille, who I rate very highly.... I drive roadtrains for 12 hour shifts so like going for longer type books, and saw this book was 41 hours long and had seen a good review for it...so I got it with my credit for the month since it cost a little more. I thought there was a good chance it was going to be a mistake... I mean set in the 12th century about building of a cathedral, haha, i am not religious or much of a history buff....
Well all I can say is "This is one of the best books I have listened to since joining audible.com and I have listened to heaps"... Totally engrossed in it from the first 30 pages and it never stopped..... Get it and listen to it you won't be dissapointed whether you are a harley riding dude or a chick working in a lawyers office, you won't regret it.....

As good the second time around...

I read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth when it was published in 1989 - and the epic is no less engaging the second time around. Follett has woven in all the elements of a top notch tale - good, evil, justice, injustice, ambition, greed, redemption... The addition of Follett's preface adds insights into the creation of the novel and his transition from thrillers to the much more complex structure and story of Pillars.

A time when "God and his saints slept........"

In " The Pillars of the Earth", as shown through the lives of widely differing characters, Ken Follett has painted an outstanding picture of the appalling chaos, poverty and starvation prevalent in England during the nine years when Stephen and Matilda were rampaging around the country fighting for the crown.

The general breakdown of any justice or law and the perpetual uncertainty and brutality of life is very clearly shown. Those in authority changed so often that the general populace had no idea who would be their next harsh and demanding masters. The devious political intrigues between and within both church and state, fuelled by greed, spite and lust for power are well portrayed. Be prepared for many graphic descriptions of extreme and cruel violence. It is certainly typical of the times but you can skip in a book, harder with an ipod!

Woven into the tale and central to the theme are clear, understandable explanations and descriptions of the actual planning, building and methods used in 12th century England to build a cathedral. Such majestic and spectacular results were achieved with rudimentary methods and simple tools we can only be awed and the trials and triumphs of the Kingsbridge builders felt personal.

Recommended as an amazing book with so much of various interest and narrated superbly by John Lee.

At lomg last... the unabridged version

Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is a book on intrigue, romance, strife and the building of a cathedral. Like War and Peace and some of the older classics you are confronted with more of the characters' lives than usual. However, you are not wondering about the main characters.

Although a long listen, this book is worth it. The narrator, John Lee, was able to bring this monumental work of Follett sufficiently to life. He pulled you through the one or two places of boredom.

For those who have or are watching the television series, the book and the series differs substantially. This leaves certain things unpredictable.

The book comes highly recommended.

Wonderful Narration

A rich absorbing book with a spellbinding narration. I loved the change of pace and subtlety of the narrator.
Another Ken Follett masterpiece!

An epic tale!

I am a huge fan of Ken Follett so am somewhat biased, however on this occasion I think he deserves all the praise he gets. It is a long book with many characters in whose lives you become immersed. I never got bored or wished away a single word or sentence. The narration was excellent. It is an epic story and worth more than 1 credit!

Modern tripe

What disappointed you about The Pillars of the Earth?

The predictable one-dimensional characters, the predictable and unneccessary laciviousness, the lack of authenticity and the predictability.

What could Ken Follett have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not written it.

Did John Lee do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, except his Welsh accent was all wrong (I'm from North Wales, we don't speak like extras from Gavin and Stacey, we don't call our fathers 'Da' - hate it when the whole of Wales is charicatured as South Wales - we're far more lyrical up here - Bryn Terfel, Rhys Ifans - listen to their accents).

What character would you cut from The Pillars of the Earth?

All but Aliona and Tom Builder.

Any additional comments?

I was so looking forward to listening to this, I love historical fiction, but there was nothing here which immersed me in the past, it was a modern story coincidentally set in 10th Century, with modern language, modern characters and modern sensibilities. It was beyond bad, really. I stuck with it until about three-quarters of the way through (admittedly, I increased the speed on my iPod to get through it more quickly) but the nastiness of the characters, the predictable way they acted, the vicarious pleasure Mr Follet seemed to take in the depravity shown towards women, it angered me and made my skin crawl. I abandoned the listen without regret.

Where you all listening to the same book as me?

I really don't understand the positive reviews of this book. It's truly one of the worst books I've listened to.

The characters are either stamped good guys or bad guys. And don't expect any surprises or plot twists because the author tells you exactly what his characters are going to do before they do it.

The author takes a lot of pleasure in really making sure you understand his main bad guy is bad. Hence lots of rape scenes that are really unnecessary. Also some terribly written sex scenes between 'good' characters that go on for way too long and just become awkward to the point of nausea.

This book is so long. And not in a good way. And it has more endings than the lord of the rings. Just when you think the book should finish.. Nope 10 more hours to go! It also doesn't build pace, it just peters out and you're left thinking 'I went through all that for nothing??!'

Also, although I love medieval history - which is why I wanted to read the book - it feels like the author what's to lecture you half the time on medieval life. So as interesting as medieval monastery and town planning is, along with crop rotation, stone carving techniques, felting, baking.. Etc etc etc it really really slows down the story to the point of boredom.

I want 40 hours of my life back..

Engrossing

What did you like about this audiobook?

The listener becomes completely immersed in this world of cathedrals and their building, life challenges, politics and love.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

The way in which historical information and the storyline were woven together.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing. John Lee is fabulous.

Do you have any additional comments?

This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Sensational

I read the physical copy of World without End first sometime ago .... this was even better - SENSATIONAL .... I'm even shouting at the kids in a Welsh accent ;-)