Book Review: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
September 18th, 2008
This book stands out as one of my all-time favorites. I first read it almost 3 years ago. Last year, when I found out that a sequel was being published, I knew that I wanted to reread this one first. Apparently, the sequel takes place quite a bit later than this one, but I wanted to be familiar with the characters and the world before I started the new book. It had been long enough that I barely remembered anything that happened in the book. I enjoyed rediscovering the characters and the story. I’m looking forward to reading World Without End, though I’m not sure when I’ll be able to find the time. Sometime between now and next Wednesday, I need to find the time to start and finish When You Are Engulfed in Flames for book club.
At around 1000 pages, I knew that Pillars of the Earth was a bit too ambitious for our book club, but I was able to convince several members to tackle it as an optional reading. We plan to meet a little earlier than usual next Wednesday to discuss it.
Overall, I love this book. When I first read it, I knew that I eventually would want to read it again. This alone says a lot about the book considering my list of books that I want to read is never ending! This time I had a bit of pressure to finish it (and other books) with limited reading time (you know, 7-month old and all). As a result, some sections of the book did seem tedious to me. For the most part, I’m glad that I reread it! This novel was my first real historical fiction, a genre that I previously never thought that I could love. Now, I keep adding historical fiction to my list of books that I want to read. I’ve never been a history buff, but I’m drawn to these novels.
Anyway, I know it’s not a very specific review of the book. I knew when I sat down to write the review that it wouldn’t be. No spoilers here. It’s just a simple recommendation for an amazing book. I may post a deeper analysis at some point, but now it’s time for me to move onto my next read.
Possibly related posts (automatically generated):
- Book Review: The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
I finished this book near the beginning of November, but I have been meaning to write about it since this... - Book Review: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Nineteen Minutes is the fifth book by Jodi Picoult that I have read. Jodi Picoult books are interesting. In my... - Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I missed three months of bookclub, but now I’m getting back into it (as you may have read from my... - Book Review: Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen
I’m trying to stay on top of my reviews, but I haven’t been doing a great job of it. Oh... - Book Review: A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon was our book club’s selection for July. The meeting isn’t until the end...