The Pillars of the Earth

I'm sorry, but I refuse to finish reading a book about the 12th c in which this sentence appears: "But he was also consumed by desire for Ellen, with her wonderful hot body and her golden eyes and her shameless lust." Syntax aside -- "hot body?" Really? What is this, a medieval novel written by Paris Hilton? Honestly. I despair sometimes. (update: At last, I did finish it and found the ending almost laughably contrived. Sigh.)

I realllllly love this type of old eourpen novel, I am studing family genealogy.

and have a need to relate to the times back when

I loved this read. I wasn't happy with the rape scenes but accepted them as part of the narrative. I was very pleased with how Follett acquainted us with all of the characters and thought that he drew us intimately into their lives as well. Though I am not a technically nor mathematically inclined person, I enjoyed the scenes of planning and building the cathedral as well as the personal stories. It was very much a characterization within the framework of the novel. I think it was powerfully and masterfully written. I loved most of the story-lines so I was happy overall with the content as well as the writing, which I found to be superb. I wish that all my reads were this all-consuming of my mind.

A remarkable masterpiece, I have no words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think there is anything I can say about this book that hasn't already been said here. You feel for every character in this book. From Tom Builder and his dreams to build a cathedral, to even evil Waylaran who does shocking things for all sorts of reasons. You can feel your emotions being wrung when you read this book. I intend to read World Without End (the Sequel) as soon as I've got a spare moment.

Incredibly engaging- so good my husband used to listen to it with one earbud in while doing everything, including taking care of the kids. The characters come to life almost to the book's detriment; I could have done without some of the violence/ graphic detail of the main antagonist. Being in that characters head, knowing what he thought and what he did bothered me for several weeks after finishing the novel. That being said, it was still well-done.

I skipped over a lot of the construction detail but my husband loved every second of it,

This is one of my all time favourite books and I enjoyed the sequel World's End just as much. Ken Follett manages to grip you from the beginning and the way that he interweaves all the characters is brilliant. Also, all of Ken Follett's book are very informative and each time I read one of his books I learn something new.

A gripping tale and definately worth the read.

I can hardly wait for tomorrow when his new book is on the market!!!!!!

As usual Ken Follett has created a book that I was sad when it ended. I loved getting right into this book.......even read it while cookiing. Love, love, love this book

This is such a great book! It is one of my favorite books. It consumed me and I would have to force myself to go back to sleep when I would wake up at 3am thinking of the characters and wanting to know more of what would happen to them.

I loved this book, I think Ken Follett is a wonderful storyteller

I've just started this book. I was initially a bit daunted by it, but after only a few pages, I have found it to be gripping!!