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Manufacturer: Pan Books Written By: Ken Follett
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Binding: Paperback EAN: 9780330490702 ISBN: 0330490702 Label: Pan Books Manufacturer: Pan Books Number Of Pages: 1200 Publication Date: 2008-10-03 Publisher: Pan Books Release Date: 2008-10-02 Studio: Pan Books
Customer Rating: Summary: Loved it! Comment: This book sustained my interest from start to finish and considering how long it is, that's an achievement. It's even better than the 'Pillars of the Earth'. I just wish there was a third in the series. Customer Rating: Summary: Pathetic Comment: It's just a TV soap opera transported back to the Middle Ages and no account taken for different language, life style, beliefs. I found the main characters thoroughly boring as people, and even the working practices, such a joy in "Pillars of the Earth", were hardly developed or badly done. Ken Follet has lost at least one reader. Customer Rating: Summary: Exciting, compelling, a page-turner - even if we've seen it before Comment: I loved "Pillars" - and enjoyed "World", too. The historical details were fascinating, there was enough drama, love and violence to fill a bookshelf; it was probably too long, but Follett has a particular light touch that is able to sustain the reader's attention for the whole time. Indeed, there was nothing really wrong with the book.
But though "World" has everything that made "Pillars" so successful, we have just seen it all before. For some of the characters, there were enough new subtleties that made them more interesting than a carbon copy; Godwyn is an ambiguous character (at least, at the start - he does mould into a stereotype towards the end) that does not seem to be similar to anyone in "Pillars", while Ralph is despicable yet still evokes some sympathy, unlike William. However, Caris was unmistakeably a 21st century woman and her thoughts were so out of context that she made the book less believable; meanwhile, Merthin is basically Jack and remained a very boring character throughout the novel. Much of the plotline, too, gave an overwhelming sense of deja vu - there is a great building project (bridge/cathedral), builder goes on a faraway journey after heartbreak (Jack/Merthin), lead character tries her hand at an enterprise (Aliena/Caris), and so on.
Another thing is that the book reads far too much like a soap opera. This just makes the story more juicy and hooks our attention while reading, but when it's over it leaves a slightly vulgar and crowd-pleasing taste. The constant showdowns between the conflicting sides become very tiresome after a few hundred pages. You know that if a 'good' character plans something sensible, it will never come to pass; though exciting to read, the reader does need a bit of respite sometimes. Most of all, the amount and frequency of sexual explicitness did degrade the novel - Follett does not leave things to the imagination, and I almost felt a little indecent reading it. The gratuitous sex made sure I can never unequivocally recommend the novel to others.
Many of these criticisms apply to "Pillars" too, to be fair - however, "Pillars" worked magnificently well because everything always came back to the centre of the story, the building of the cathedral. "World", on the other hand, is missing that unifying entity and therefore the plot, while intriguing, seems to ultimately go nowhere.
Despite all of this, I did enjoy the novel. I have gained a huge insight into daily life in the medieval era from both books, and they have been two of the most gripping books I've ever read. I do recommend "Pillars" as it is definitely worth a read - and "World" is not disappointing at all, just very similar. Customer Rating: Summary: A gripping portrayal of 14th Century England Comment: Although a sequel to "Pillars of the Earth," this fast-paced novel is set so much further ahead in time that it is enjoyable in its own right. The intricate intertwining of the lives of the disparate characters is full of surprises, and this well-researched book gives a feel of the social and economic impact of the Black Death. Customer Rating: Summary: Another Follett masterpiece Comment: Having read my copy of "Pillars of The Earth" at least 4 times, I just had to get the follow-up.
Stainding over 1000 pages, its not a tome to pick on a whim, but its another superb travel through historical England. (Don't panick if you still haven't experienced the magnificent "Pillars", as the characters are a few generations on).
Any fans of historical fiction will love this tale of love, deceit and heart-ache. Throw in some meaty action, add some pestilence and suffering, and you're left with a book that will keep you enthralled and captivated.
I loved it. 5 stars once again for Follett!!
