Pillars of the Earth Book Review (Oprah’s Book Club)

Ken Follett is an internationally-acclaimed master of turn-the-page suspense and author of six #1 bestsellers. In this Pillars of the Earth book review, readers are given a peek on how Follett reaches beyond the expected to achieve his most brilliant and remarkable novel.

The epic story of the building of a cathedral in 12th century England and the lives of the people entwined with it and each other is a sensuous, enduring narrative, and a gripping tale of faith, ambition, bloodshed and betrayal.

The Pillars of the Earth covers four decades of 12th Century England inviting the reader into the flamboyant middle ages where the building of a cathedral and the lives of the people entwined unfolds. It is a story of good and evil, treachery and intrigue, violence and beauty. It is about knights who are less than noble, heroes who want to do right, valiant heroines and both men of virtue and of immoral integrity under the eyes of God who highlight this story. These characters manipulate and are manipulated by the political turmoil and unease between the reigns of Henry I and Henry II.

The reader cannot help but cheer for the outcome of the do-gooders and root for the fall of the evil. It is sensual, gripping, ambitious and speaks of faith, bloodshed and betray, all to bring the reader even closer to the emotions felt for each character.