paperback, 1100 pages
English language
Published Aug. 8, 2007 by Pan Books.
Set in the turbulent times of twelfth-century England when civil war, famine, religious strife and battles over royal succession tore lives and families apart, The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of the building of a magnificent cathedral.
Against this richly imagined backdrop, filled with intrigue and treachery, Ken Follett draws the reader irresistibly into a wonderful epic of family drama, violent conflict and unswerving ambition. From humble stonemason to imperious monarch, the dreams, labours and loves of his characters come vividly to life. The Pillars of the Earth is, without doubt, a masterpiece - and has proved to be one of the most popular books of our time. --back cover
... welches die Jahre überdauert und die Grundlage für den "Kingsbridge"-Mythos geschaffen hat. Bei der Erstveröffentlichung (wo ich noch in der weiterführenden Schule war) fiel mir das Buch erstmals in die Hände, gefühlte 20 Jahre später hat Ken Wollte's "Kingsbridge"-Erstwerk nach wie vor nichts von der Faszination und der lebendigen Darstellung der damaligen Zeit verloren. Ein Meisterwerk für die Ewigkeit!
It’s a long time since I struggled to put a book down. More than once I just had to continue reading into the early hours to find out what happened next.
This book was a roller coaster of emotions and events that highlighted the violence, greed, passions, revenge of the main protagonists. It also really portrayed the ebb and flow of power and influence that royalty and religion had against each other, as well as the poor peasants who were caught in the middle.
A really enjoyable read and I can see why this book is one of Ken Follett’s all time best sellers.
