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Dan Schwent's Reviews > The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)
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Dan Schwent's review
bookshelves: homework-from-the-ladies, confession-time, 2013, kitten-squisher
Dec 31, 2012
bookshelves: homework-from-the-ladies, confession-time, 2013, kitten-squisher
Confession time: This is not a book I would have picked out for myself. First of all, look at the size of this kitten squisher! Second of all, Amanda's hate-filled review of it is one of my favorite reviews on Goodreads. However, it's one of my girlfriend's favorite books and when she suggested I give it a read, I knew what was good for me. Lucky for me, I enjoyed it.
Pillars of the Earth is a multigenerational tale about the construction of a cathedral in a fictitious English town in the 1100s. Many threads are followed for it's nigh-1000 page girth. Tom Builder goes from being an expectant father to a widow to a master builder. Philip becomes a prior and the ruler of Kingsbridge. And lets not forget Jack, Aliena, Richard, Waleran, that bastard William Hamleigh, or any of the many other characters.
Ken Follett was primarily known as a thriller writer before Pillars and it shows. Every time things appear to be going right for the good guys and it looks like the cathedral is back on track, another monkey wrench is thrown into the works. For a book with very little in the way of action, I was enthralled. You can squeeze a lot of plot complications in nearly 1000 pages and Follett jammed in as many as he could. I have to admire the kind of planning it took to write something like this.
As I said before, I always found the size of this thing daunting but I probably shouldn't have. It's a best seller, and best sellers aren't known for being difficult reads. Since Follett is a thriller writer, he tended to keep things to the point for the most part, though I thought he was ignoring Elmore Leonard's rule about not writing the parts people skip a few times.
I don't really want to say much about the plot for fear of spoiling anything. It's a long read but the ending is worth the time it takes to get there.
Parting thoughts (may contain spoilers):
- Tom Builder sure jumped into bed with Ellen pretty quickly. Agnes' body wasn't even cold yet.
- Lots of rape in the 1100's
- Since Kingsbridge is fictitious, does that make Pillars of the Earth historical fantasy?
- I really hate William Hamleigh.
Pillars of the Earth is a multigenerational tale about the construction of a cathedral in a fictitious English town in the 1100s. Many threads are followed for it's nigh-1000 page girth. Tom Builder goes from being an expectant father to a widow to a master builder. Philip becomes a prior and the ruler of Kingsbridge. And lets not forget Jack, Aliena, Richard, Waleran, that bastard William Hamleigh, or any of the many other characters.
Ken Follett was primarily known as a thriller writer before Pillars and it shows. Every time things appear to be going right for the good guys and it looks like the cathedral is back on track, another monkey wrench is thrown into the works. For a book with very little in the way of action, I was enthralled. You can squeeze a lot of plot complications in nearly 1000 pages and Follett jammed in as many as he could. I have to admire the kind of planning it took to write something like this.
As I said before, I always found the size of this thing daunting but I probably shouldn't have. It's a best seller, and best sellers aren't known for being difficult reads. Since Follett is a thriller writer, he tended to keep things to the point for the most part, though I thought he was ignoring Elmore Leonard's rule about not writing the parts people skip a few times.
I don't really want to say much about the plot for fear of spoiling anything. It's a long read but the ending is worth the time it takes to get there.
Parting thoughts (may contain spoilers):
- Tom Builder sure jumped into bed with Ellen pretty quickly. Agnes' body wasn't even cold yet.
- Lots of rape in the 1100's
- Since Kingsbridge is fictitious, does that make Pillars of the Earth historical fantasy?
- I really hate William Hamleigh.
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Reading Progress
December 31, 2012
–
Started Reading
December 31, 2012
– Shelved as:
homework-from-the-ladies
December 31, 2012
– Shelved
January 11, 2013
– Shelved as:
confession-time
January 11, 2013
– Shelved as:
2013
January 11, 2013
–
Finished Reading
March 12, 2015
– Shelved as:
kitten-squisher
Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)
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Dec 31, 2012 05:31PM
I'm interested to hear what you think about this. When I read it ten years ago it was my favorite book for a while.
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Anthony wrote: "I'm interested to hear what you think about this. When I read it ten years ago it was my favorite book for a while."It's one of my girlfriend's favorites so I figured I should give it a shot. It'll be nice to take a break from murders and kidnappings.
I found it a slow read, but an intriguing one. I keep meaning to read the sequel one of these days.
I saw the TV mini-series, and from another GR reader, sounds like villains treated somewhat similarly. Have fun!
I've yet to come across the first person who doesn't like this book. I should probably bump it up on my to-read list. Curious to find out what you think!
I'm really liking it even though it's putting me way behind on my reading challenge.
Loederkoningin, there's a link to a hate-review you should definitely read, 'cause it's hilarious. I particularly LIKE really long books, but this is one I'm still on the fence about...
Man, I think William may be a candidate for biggest douche bag ever award.
This was a great book. Thanks for the reminder.
Dan wrote: "The main antagonist of Godchildren is the only bigger one I can think of off the top of my head."
That's impressive. I need to check this book out. I remember thinking William was the most staggering son of a bitch I had ever read about but he didn't feel like an easily defined villain...the sequel to this book has one of those characters too
That's impressive. I need to check this book out. I remember thinking William was the most staggering son of a bitch I had ever read about but he didn't feel like an easily defined villain...the sequel to this book has one of those characters too
You should watch the tv production.....it has Ian McShane.
Stephanie wrote: "You should watch the tv production.....it has Ian McShane."
Who plays Douche McBag?
Who plays Douche McBag?
And no one comments on "kitten squisher"? Hysterical!
One of my closest friends loves this book, but I've always been reluctant to read it -- seemed like it might be dull -- but I might give it a try now.
Great review!
One of my closest friends loves this book, but I've always been reluctant to read it -- seemed like it might be dull -- but I might give it a try now.
Great review!
Lea wrote: "And no one comments on "kitten squisher"? Hysterical!One of my closest friends loves this book, but I've always been reluctant to read it -- seemed like it might be dull -- but I might give it a..."
I wish I made up kitten squisher but I stole it from Shovel Monkey, who has a kitten squisher shelf.
Ah, so this is where you've been all year. I thought maybe you were on vacation.
Melki wrote: "Ah, so this is where you've been all year. I thought maybe you were on vacation."Nope. Now I have some crime books to burn through to get caught up on my reading challenge.
If you liked this, try Edward Rutherford's tomes including Sarum. Can highly recommend them
I'm steering away from tomes for a while but thanks.
Kitten squisher - love it! Yeah, I've heard this is really, really good. Personally, I tend to avoid the kitten-squishers. Not sure why, as I used to read them when I was younger. I think I look at them now and think "I could read 2-3 books in the time that one will take." Maybe I need to challenge that thinking?
That's how I look at it too. Plus, when a book is only 300 pages, it's not as big of a time investment if it winds up sucking.
Linda wrote: "Good review!"Thanks!
Dan wrote: "That's how I look at it too. Plus, when a book is only 300 pages, it's not as big of a time investment if it winds up sucking."I go by the Nancy Pearl rule: give a book 50 pages. If you're not loving it, put it down and move on to the next book. There are way too many books and definitely not enough time to read them all :)
Faye wrote: "If you liked this, try Edward Rutherford's tomes including Sarum. Can highly recommend them"I like tomes, Faye; I give you permission to recommend them to me :-)
Anthony wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "You should watch the tv production.....it has Ian McShane."Who plays Douche McBag?"
McShane plays Bigod and an actor by the name of David Oaks plays McDouchbag. I really liked these books but I was afraid to voice it out loud for fear of Amanda's wrath. Great review by the way.
Stephanie wrote: "I really liked these books"
I really liked them too, Stephanie. For a couple of years Pillars was my favorite book. I always love an excuse to learn about history and Follett does a good job at reconstructing the time period. Plus he's a really good storyteller.
I really liked them too, Stephanie. For a couple of years Pillars was my favorite book. I always love an excuse to learn about history and Follett does a good job at reconstructing the time period. Plus he's a really good storyteller.
I'm surprised you haven't heard from Amanda yet!
James wrote: "I'm surprised you haven't heard from Amanda yet!"Oh, she'll be around...
Et tu, Dan? Follett's characters should apply to work for Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. They have all of the qualifications:http://youtu.be/2_urvjCXg6c
But, really, I loved The Pillars of the Earth--it made such a pretty, long lasting blaze in the fireplace.
I have never heard of this book before.Now I have.
....
That is all.
Amanda wrote: "Et tu, Dan? Follett's characters should apply to work for Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. They have all of the qualifications:
http://youtu.be/2_urvjCXg6c
But, really, I loved The Pillars of ..."
Where the white women at?
http://youtu.be/2_urvjCXg6c
But, really, I loved The Pillars of ..."
Where the white women at?
Anthony wrote: "Where the white women at?"Such a quotable movie. I particularly enjoy the "we can pull the old number 6" on them bit.
Amanda wrote: "Et tu, Dan? Follett's characters should apply to work for Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. They have all of the qualifications:http://youtu.be/2_urvjCXg6c
But, really, I loved The Pillars of ..."
BWAHAHAHAH!! While I can never condone book-burning for any book ever, the fact that you like Blazing Saddles makes me think I'll love you just a little...
Who in their right mind would not love Blazing Saddles? Some of the best lines in the history of the movies, including the ones Amanda and Anthony referenced above...
Katy wrote: "Loederkoningin, there's a link to a hate-review you should definitely read, 'cause it's hilarious. I particularly LIKE really long books, but this is one I'm still on the fence about..."Haha! I think I understand. I just became a little more reluctant as well. Especially Amanda's rundown of the plot doesn't sound too promising..
Katy wrote: "BWAHAHAHAH!! While I can never condone book-burning for any book ever, the fact that you like Blazing Saddles makes me think I'll love you just a little..."Sigh. This is why my childhood dream to become an evil overlord with minions will never be realized. No matter how detestable my words or actions, I somehow emerge as still being slightly lovable. Tis my cross to bear . . . :)
Amanda wrote: "Katy wrote: "BWAHAHAHAH!! While I can never condone book-burning for any book ever, the fact that you like Blazing Saddles makes me think I'll love you just a little..."
Sigh. This is why my chil..."
Hedley: "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
Sigh. This is why my chil..."
Hedley: "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
I would imagine an evil overlord with of minions that were actually devoted might manage to do well with the taking-over-the-world thing... Just sayin'...
Did you happen to watch the mini-series? My wife and I enjoyed it.
Not yet. I'm planning on it since Ian McShane plays Waleran.
Dan wrote: "Not yet. I'm planning on it since Ian McShane plays Waleran."McShane does evil really well.
Heh, glad you enjoyed it! It seems either people love this book or hate it. Probably because of the 900+ page investment.
It was definitely an investment. I usually try to read books that are less than 500 pages so this was a huge commitment for me.
The size of this book looks too daunting for me.
It is pretty daunting. Once a book is over 500 pages, it had better be one spiffing good read.
Kitten squisher?!!! HAAAA!!! SO gonna steal that...
Lori wrote: "Kitten squisher?!!! HAAAA!!! SO gonna steal that..."
Feel free. I stole it from someone else.
Do I need to read this before "World Without End"? I accidentally bought the second book thinking it was a stand alone haha
Nope. You'll probably enjoy World Without End more if you don't since they have very similar plots.
