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The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club)
 
 
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The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "IN A BROAD VALLEY, at the foot of a sloping hillside, beside a clear bubbling stream, Tom was building a house..." (more)
Key Phrases: jack jackson, fleece fair, master quarryman, The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett, Prior Philip (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,485 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tom Builder's dream is to build a cathedral, but in the meantime, he must scrounge about to find a lord that will hire him. His search pulls him and his family into the politics of 12th-century England, as different lords vie to gain control of the throne in the wake of the recently deceased king. Prior Phillip, a man raised in the monastery since childhood, also finds himself drafted into the brewing storm as he must protect the interests of a declining church. Richard E. Grant seduces readers early on with a soft and deliberate voice that is like a loud whisper. However, his full range quickly reveals itself as he delves into characters with animated voices that exert their true essence. Even throughout the narrative, Grant musters a lively voice that imbues energy into the story. The only shortcoming is that the abridgment of Follett's 1989 novel proves to be too choppy. Though the story appears complete, there still remain abrupt moments throughout the tale. Penguin Audio's unabridged version is read by John Lee and runs 41 hours. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Library Journal

A radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue, this chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during the tumultuous 12th century, when the empress Maud and Stephen are fighting for the crown of England after the death of Henry I. The plot is less tightly controlled than those in Follett's contemporary works, and despite the wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction, much of the language as well as the psychology of the characters and their relationships remains firmly rooted in the 20th century. This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction. Literary Guild dual main selection.
- Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 973 pages
  • Publisher: NAL Trade; 1st ptg deluxe edition (November 14, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0451225244
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451225245
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,485 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,113 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #4 in  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( F ) > Follett, Ken
    #84 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

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Ken Follett
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Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
IN A BROAD VALLEY, at the foot of a sloping hillside, beside a clear bubbling stream, Tom was building a house. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
jack jackson, fleece fair, master quarryman, priory servants, upper compound, tracing floor, rightful earl, priory gate, weeping madonna, damned monk, monastic officers, new chancel, winding room, tribune gallery, most beautiful cathedral, lower compound, kitchen courtyard
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett, Prior Philip, King Stephen, Tom Builder, William Hamleigh, Bishop Waleran, Bishop Henry, Earl Bartholomew, Kingsbridge Priory, King Henry, Kingsbridge Cathedral, Waleran Bigod, Percy Hamleigh, Prior James, Abbot Peter, Robert of Gloucester, Johnny Eightpence, Lord William, Cuthbert Whitehead, Earl William, Peter of Wareham, Saint Adolphus, Jack Shareburg, Duke Henry
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A Mortal Bane by Roberta Gellis
 

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739 of 778 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best historical novel I've read in 10 years, November 3, 1999
By Suzanne Cross "Virtual Graeco-Roman" (Santa Fe, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Pillars of the Earth (Mass Market Paperback)
I've never been a fan of Follett, and picked this book up with some misgivings - anyone these days can try to do an "historical" novel with some quick sex, some fake archaic new-speak, and a TV-movie-miniseries concept of history. While there are some minor flaws in this book, its sweep, characterization, tensions, and love of its subject are simply riveting. I could not put the darned thing down and have lost sleep for a week compulsively page-turning. Follett, unbelievably, seems to have made little splash with this book when it first came out - more shame to the critics who missed a "Gone With the Wind" from a conventional thriller author.

His primary strength in the book is his magnificent characters. By the end, Prior Phillip, Aliena, Jack, Richard, "Witch" Ellen, William of Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, and a host of supporting characters are as real as people you know. Their strengths and weaknesses feel as sound as earth. I've just reached the part where the Cathedral is finished, and its magnificent image, built in love, hardship, and devotion, colors the whole book like light through stained glass. And I suspect the ending will be as immensely "right" as the entire rest of the book in its proportion in spinning out complicated human lives and emotions.

Follett manages to write of an age of religious devotion without tumbling into the two pits - making fun of medieval Christian faith, or uncritically adopting it. An IMMENSELY satisfying read.

I could quibble with what I feel is some gratuitous sex, some slightly contrived plot twists, but that's like complaining about some flotsam in the river as you're going over Niagara.

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK if you love wonderful story-spinning and history.

Well done, Mr. Follett!

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73 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent piece of historical fiction, April 10, 2000
By james g. moose (sacramento, california) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Pillars of the Earth (Paperback)
I actually listened to this book on tape, while my wife read the paperback. Both of us loved it. I not only recommend the book, but also urge people to rent the Book on Tape version, narrated by David Case, whose acting and narrative talents shine through, bringing the various characters to life. (But still purchase the book from Amazon!) I came to Pillars of the Earth after spending about two solid years reading, in my spare time, nothing but medieval histories, with a focus on fourteenth century England and the Plantagenet kings. I had never before read a book by Follett, who I had assumed mass-produced pulp spy fiction. I only chose the book because of of my interest in medieval history. To my delight and surprise, I discovered the book to be a true work of literature, which might well still be read in 100 years. I found myself amazed by Follett's ability to create an extremely complex and compelling plot, with compelling characters, against a backdrop that seemed true to the histories I had been reading. The early twelfth century is a period neglected by us moderns; but it's one that's inherently interesting. Who, today, has even heard of King Stephen (who preceded the famous Henry II, immortalized twice by Peter O'Toole in the 1960s movies Beckett and Lion in Winter)? Because, in England at least, Stephen's reign was a time of virtual anarchy, Follett was able to use the period to create characters who demonstrate the brutal lengths to which people can go when unconstrained by law and an effective legal order. At the same time, though, he has created religious and other well-meaning characters who, if alien to us because of their belief in Hell and a God intervening almost minute-by-minute in human afairs, display courage and the best of intentions in the harsh face of barbarism. This juxtaposition of the brutal and the well-meaning makes for an interesting meditation on human nature and on the hope for the gradual further civilization of our species. His ultimate message is encouraging, though he certainly doesn't shrink from depicting the nastiness of which humans are capable. In short, the book is a marvelous piece of fiction, in which Follet has done an excellent job capturing the feeling of a distant and neglected period of history.
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315 of 354 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Not an Oprah follower, but I love this book, November 14, 2007
Personally, I don't place a lot of stock in Oprah's book club lottery. The instant stardom that placement on this reading list bestows authors isn't always, in my opinion, justified. That being said, this is a wonderful book.

Pillars is complex, moving and informative. The research was excellent, the characters are engaging and the story moves at a surprisingly quick pace for a novel of this length. The descriptions of the scenes, the completeness of the political interplay and the twists of the plot make this one of my favorite books of all time. Normally, I have little patience for historical fiction unless it brings something new or truly engaging to the table. Pillars certainly does that and more.

In other words, while there is no such thing as the perfect book, this one comes very close. My advice is simple...READ THIS BOOK -- YOU'LL LOVE IT!

But do yourself a small favor, go to the used bookstore or the library, this is not a new release and you can enjoy Follett's favorite work for a fraction of the cost. A quick search of Amazon shows dozens of options that don't have the Oprah name or any other bells and whistles that I'm sure are unneeded to enjoy this spectacular piece of fiction

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Uni-dimensional characters, tedious plot
Dull, lifeless, uni-dimensional characters, appropriately accompanied by a simplistic, tedious plot. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Anonymous

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Loved this book. It made me really admire what people in that era had to endure and made me realize there have been great people on the earth in every age. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mary E. Nagel

1.0 out of 5 stars Not available to Australia
I would dearly love to read this book but unfortunately it is not available to Kindle owners in Australia for copyright reasons. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Susan Hatton

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Entertaining Saga
I really enjoyed this book and its characters. It kept me interested the entire way. This is one of those 'must reads' for everyone.
Published 10 days ago by Kevin K. Nickel

5.0 out of 5 stars COULD HARDLY SLEEP UNTIL I FINISHED
Follett's, The Pillars of the Earth , regardless of many of the educated elites comments; is one of the best historical fictional reviews I have read, well researched and written... Read more
Published 10 days ago by D. R. Hill

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story and character development, one of my all time favorites
A friend recommended this book and we share a love of Wilbur Smith, Demille and Flynn so when he gave me the "it's a must read" I took a look. Read more
Published 20 days ago by James E. Trott

5.0 out of 5 stars My all-time favorite book
I first received a copy of this book back in 1997 - about thirteen years ago. I have since read it about five times and each time it is a treat. Read more
Published 27 days ago by K. Roy

5.0 out of 5 stars A towering saga...I really enjoyed it!
The Pillars of the Earth is set in 12th century England, and centers around the building of a Cathedral, in the town of Kingsbridge. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J.Flood

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read
This was a wonderful book. I love historical fiction, and this would definitely be in my top 3. I could not put this book down. Read more
Published 1 month ago by T

5.0 out of 5 stars Would give it 10 stars
One of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down and was sorry to come to its end.
Published 1 month ago by C. Moore

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