Pillars of the Earth....

[Bones]

For those of you out there who like to read, get "Pillars of the Earth", by Ken Follett. And if you enjoyed that one, get"World Without End", by the same author. It's sort of like a continuation of the first book and, well worth reading.:thumbup:

NBTP

[iAmtheMovie]

I'm only about 200 pages into Pillars of the Earth and I'm really enjoying it so far.
Just yesterday I was walking around the PX and spotted World Without End and figured I'd grab that one, too. A bit pricey, but I'm sure it will be a worthwhile read and a good book to own.

Thanks for the great suggestions. :)

[TheNoNamedOne]

How about a short synopsis of it? What's the gist of it?

[iAmtheMovie]

It's a bit early for me to say, the books are massive (900+ pages each).
Even with the 200 pages I've read, I can't really give much info on it. The author follows different characters with large gaps inbetween each.

I just finished the bit with an impoverished mason and his family and started reading about a monk who found out about a rebellion against the recently deceased king's successor.
Of course it's all intertwined... but I've yet to see how.
Bit of foreshadowing as well.. a curse put on the monk's brother at the beginning of the story without too much explanation behind it.

Time for me to do a bit more reading, actually. =)

[TheNoNamedOne]

Sounds like fiction? Is that right?

I geuss I'll run over to Amazon real quick to see some readers' reviews.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Seems to be a historical suspense thriller set in the 12th century after the death of King Henry I. I also see it is on the Oprah's Book Club list.

Seems to be getting good reviews (http://www.amazon.com/review/R2IKR2HFX77BJR) from readers.

[Bones]

As posted by TP:

Seems to be a historical suspense thriller set in the 12th century after the death of King Henry I. I also see it is on the Oprah's Book Club list.

Seems to be getting good reviews from readers.

Indeed it is fiction, but it's one of the most enjoyable books that I've ever read.

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 ever 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.

We all know that you don't like to read fiction, but I think that you would enjoy this one.

Also World Without End, which is a follow up on this book, is every bit as good. Once I finish Pillars, and I only have about 271 pages to go, I'm going to try to e-mail Mr. Follett, to see if there are any plans for a third book.

Should have this one finished by Wednesday, and if you're interested I'll lend you both books so that you could judge for yourself. But I want them back.

NBTP

[TheNoNamedOne]

Thanks for the offer, NBTP, but I will pass.

Like you mentioned, I am more into nonfiction reading. Not to say I do not sometimes read fiction, but at the moment I have a reading list already filled up to get to, besides going back and rereading some books I really like.

I'm sure another would enjoy your offer and take you up on it.

[Bones]

Well, whatever.:cool:

The main reason that Ken Follett wrote the book, was that since he's not particularly religious, and mostly writes action adventures, he just wanted to write a book about Cathedrals.

While you may not agree with everything that you'd be reading, and judging you by your topics on religion, I was just thinking that these books would be a natural read that you would enjoy.

Perhaps it's a good thing that you're not interested.

NBTP

[okisteve]

That book sounds like it would go well with this one, if it's the brick-and-mortar aspect that is of interest.:Amazon.com: Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (Sandpiper): Books: David Macaulay

All of McCaulays books are tremendous fun for anyone into building stuff, kids included.