The Pillars of the Earth
A Novel
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4.4 • 308 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Oprah's Book Club Selection
The “extraordinary . . . monumental masterpiece” (Booklist) that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career—and begins where its prequel, The Evening and the Morning, ended.
“Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal.
The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Ken Follett’s first historical thriller was a stark departure from his earlier spy novels, but from the get-go it’s clear he’s completely at home writing about 12th-century England. The epic story spans generations, tracking one man’s obsession with building the greatest Gothic cathedral of all time. We loved how Follett brings quotidian details to life with a historian’s eye, from the stink of the marketplace to the comforting sight of turnip soup boiling over a fire. The real treat, though, is the bestselling author’s masterful storytelling, which twists and turns with great detours for romance and intrigue.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through 40 years of social and political upheaval as internal church politics affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists. ``Follett has written a novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale,'' judged PW.
Customer Reviews
Words painted on the pages like art.
Spread over generations, filled with passion and details of another time. A classic!
Pillars of the Earth is amazing
Years ago I bought a copy of this novel in paperback form. I read it, my mother read, then my visiting grandmother read it. She returned to England with it and my aunts and uncles and cousin read it. It travelled to Spain for more relatives to immerse in the historical fiction of Tom Builder and the people of Kingsbridge. The novel has made a crusade through many minds and captured many hearts with its indelible story of good versus evil.
The Pillars of the Earth
Great book...it ended WELL...
In that time in history there is no GOOD to end with.... So well is good.