Customer Reviews

World Without End

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"World Without End" is a sequel, and comparisons are natural. Like many of the other reviewers I too had read the first volume years ago, and though I remember enjoying it very much I think that even if one does not read that book they will still experience a great read. WWE is loaded with interesting characters and literally hundreds of stories winding through the main plot. The characters come off as real and lively as well as purely evil, funny or pathetic - in other words a book chock full of something for every reader who truly enjoys settling down with a thick volume that takes effort to complete.

Follett creates and paints a believable world for his cast of characters. As usual the quality of the writing keep the story flowing and scene after scene setting up great events. Follett's characters are as usual drawn with daring, humor and more than a touch of mystery. The setting is dynamic and part of what I enjoyed the most, seeing how his creations moved through the society of the times and how they reacted, rebelled, fought and, yes, fornicated. Family life, and the society of the guilds and how they worked within the ages, and of course the conflicts that developed within that context.

Plotting is very strong, Follett should be congratulated for juggling so many characters and moving them through the scenes and situations he has created to bring out conflicts, love, hate and violence that was very much familiar to the time period. If, like me, you have enjoyed many of Follett's books, no matter what genre as much as I have then I believe you will like this one too, and very much.

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World Without End was the third Ken Follett historical fiction book I've read, and was by far my favourite (even more than Pillars). However, I struggled at first with getting past Follett's characters - I find he writes with a bit of a tin ear - the characters and character development are essentially the same in each of the books I've read (maybe this is just my bad luck with him). You have the strong, independent young woman struggling to find peace with her male dominated time; the two brothers - one brutish, cruel and power hungry, the other gentle, ambitious, but kind-hearted and intelligent; the struggling lovers; the corrupt feudal system; well, you get the idea. HOWEVER, if you can get past the lack of original characters, the story was brilliant and woven together really well. It was much more of a roller coaster than Pillars, which I found lagged quite a bit. Follett has a real knack for placing the reader exactly in the period of time he's writing about - the description of politics, religion, status of women, everyday life, medical practices, etc was incredible - it always is, but he really pulled it off in this one. And of course, the information about building, technology, etc was simply fascinating and woven into the story beautifully - almost as a side note to whatever was happening in the scene. If you're hesitant about this one because you read Pillars and only found it to be okay, as I did, World Without End may bring you around.

"World Without End" continues the story of Kingsbridge, a medieval town noted for the awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral designed and built some 200 hundred years earlier in the 12th century by Jack Builder.

Gwenda, a female medieval version of the Artful Dodger, is one of five starving children in a very poor family. Despite the horrific punishment that sees the hands chopped off a convicted thief, she's being raised by her father to be a cut-purse and a pickpocket. Ralph is a tall, strong boy whose hopeful family see him as destined for greater things. They imagine him as the young squire of a noble knight or (dare they wish for such an impossibility?) perhaps even elevated to the rank of knighthood and nobility itself. But Ralph is an aggressive bully and although he certainly seems to have the strength and the warlike skills to achieve such an ambition, he is sadly lacking in the ability to soak up any academic learning at all. Descended from Jack Builder, Merthin seems to be the polar opposite of his stepbrother, Ralph. Merthin is a kinder, gentler, more intelligent person whose innate pragmatic genius drives him to wonder how things work and how things are built. Caris, also a descendent of Jack Builder, shares in Jack's and Merthin's intelligence but she is determined to use that academic brilliance to study medicine, an activity strictly forbidden to mere women in the 14th century.

In 1327, these four children slip away from the confines of Kingsbridge and play in the forest, a dangerous activity forbidden to them by their parents. But who among us hasn't ignored a prohibition like that at one time or another? When, to their horror, they witness a killing that they cannot understand, their lives become inextricably entwined together and it is not until many, many years later that any of them will understand the dark motives behind the brutal event in the forest that unfolded before them that day.

Of course, "World Without End" is a sequel to Ken Follett's runaway bestseller, "Pillars of the Earth" and, as you might expect, Kingsbridge Cathedral, the priory and Merthin's skills as an engineer, a mason, a designer and an architect, all play a central role in the continuing story. Caris' cousin, Godwyn, also a descendant of Tom Builder, becomes a monk at a very early age and sets his career sights very high indeed. With an abundant supply of self-confidence and arrogance, he is absolutely convinced that it is in Kingsbridge's and his own best interests that he become no less than the Prior of the cathedral. Of course, this is still the 14th century and, clearly, Godwyn, the priory and the authority of the Catholic Church will have no small part to play in the history of Kingsbridge as the story of the four children's lives begins to play out against the rich medieval backdrop that Follett provides.

Feudalism, medieval law, the iron hand of the Catholic Church, the innate male chauvinism of the day, the nobility, ongoing war against France and, of course, the Black Death that savaged Europe in the second half of the fourteenth century, all play a major role in Follett's epic tale, "World Without End". Given the setting of the story in terms of time and place, this shouldn't come as a surprise. What may come as a surprise is that, although readers of "Pillars of the Earth" who waited so long for this sequel were desperately afraid that Follett couldn't possibly repeat such a literary triumph, their worries were quite groundless. Follett has provided his fans with an epic tale that veritably leaps off the pages - bloody war and battles; greed, ambition and power; lust, love and loyalty; suspense and intrigue; and, of course, a realistic, astonishingly well developed historical setting that will transport delighted readers to the heart of medieval England.

"World Without End" is a doorstopper weighing in at a hefty 1000+ pages. But, without a doubt, it's the fastest 1000 pages that you're ever going to read and you'll still be sorry to see it end. What a story!

Paul Weiss

What a great writer. The detail is amazing. You can picture each character in your mind. Great book!

It's not possible to write a book as profoundly intriguing and moving as Pillars of the Earth, even if it is a sequel of that very book by the same author. Why? A lot of the appeal of such a groundbreaking book is in our fresh reactions to something unlike what we have read before. Once you've had those reactions, a new book is seen through different eyes and with higher expectations.

That said, most people will be pleased that they take the time to read the over 1,000 pages of World Without End. But start your expectations lower than the way you remember Pillars of the Earth.

I started late on Wednesday night and couldn't put it down until I finished today . . . with brief breaks for sleep and refreshment.

At one level, the book is simply a soap opera based in the Middle Ages where youthful encounters set lifelong enmities and alliances into motion. At another level, World Without End is a fictional history of the 14th century as seen through English eyes. At a third level, this book creates a bridge between the 14th century and the 21st century by presenting modern sensibilities in medieval dress.

World Without End returns to Kingsbridge, England, two centuries after Pillars of the Earth. Kingsbridge, the cathedral, and descendants of the key characters in Pillars of the Earth provide the continuity. But this is a Kingsbridge led by people who are either obsessed with never changing anything or by seeking personal advantage . . . regardless of the cost. As a result, when there are problems, well, it's a problem to fix things. Fortunately, the book features two extraordinary problem solvers -- Merthin, who can design and build almost anything and Caris, who can turn a profit better than the other wool dealers and heal better than the Oxford-trained monks.

In the beginning, lives are changed after Gwenda steals Sir Gerald's purse. Already in debt to the priory, Sir Gerald (a descendant of Earl Thomas, son of Thomas the Builder) gives up his lands in exchange for a meager pension and assigns his son Merthwin to be apprenticed as a carpenter and his son Ralph to serve as a possible knight in training. Wanting to try out a bow that Merthwin had made, the boys trek into the forest with Gwenda and Caris, daughter of a wealthy wool merchant. While in the forest, the four youngsters observe a knight come under attack and Merthwin becomes involved in a deadly secret.

Almost all of the major characters in the book are introduced in the first 100 pages, and you'll follow them through the next 34 years (1327-1361) as they become allies and enemies of one another. That's the soap opera aspect of the story.

The historical side is covered by a deep exploration of relations between the church and towns and the nobility and farmers. There are also side trips into the battles between the French and English and the development of Florence. This is the century where the Black Death (bubonic plague) decimated Europe, and the plague is a major part of the story line. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of medieval society as you observe how relationships among the characters shift as their position and status in society change.

For those who like a compact story, World Without End will seem endlessly long at times. But exploring all of those historical nuances takes a lot of space. I thought that for the most part the historical aspect was well done, if a little too encyclopedic. But at the end you'll know the differences among a landless laborer, a serf, and a tenant who farms land in exchange for rent. Having taken a lot of medieval history courses in college, I can report however that World Without End is a much easier way to learn this history than by reading standard history texts.

To me, the book's main flaw is in Caris. Ken Follett tries to do too much with this one woman. If the way she is portrayed had been split up among three or four characters, I think the story would have been more credible. As it is, she's a little too 21st century for the 14th century. And her position and attitudes shift way too much.

The secondary flaw is in constantly pitting the good guys and gals against the baddies: There's enough conflict to account for more than 25 books. I frankly got tired of it . . . not because it was boring . . . but because I didn't get enough respite from the unrelenting struggles.

For those who loved the cathedral building details in Pillars of the Earth, you'll feel rewarded in World Without End by learning about bridge building and repairing cathedrals. Those who enjoy economic history will be fascinated by the social effects of the Black Death in creating rights and a higher standard of living for the downtrodden.

After you finish the book, I suggest you spend some time thinking about the value of keeping good relations with everyone you come into contact with. Those you meet in the way up you may well meet on the way down.

I read Pillars of the earth 2 times. This book captivates me just as much. It's worth the buy and the time to read it. 5/5 for this one

This book will take its place among the classics of modern literature. While I read PILLARS and liked it, I do not think that book will have the same shelf space relegated to it. WORLD WITHOUT END was written eighteen years after PILLARS and there's a reason Follett probably waited so long: he was keen on making the best novel possible. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a great story, because that's just what it is. while Follett writes historical novels---at least some of them---don't be turned off, thinking this is going to be some dry, boring read. It is not, by far. A master over his material, I'd rank this book right up there with KITE RUNNER, A THOUSDAND SPLENDID SUNS, and the novel MIDDLESEX.

Having read and loved the author's epic saga, "Pillars of the Earth", a novel about the building of a cathedral in the town of Kingsbridge in twelfth century England, I very much looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. This is a masterful saga of life in fourteenth century England, and the author weaves a rich and colorful tapestry of people, places, and events in the medieval town of Kingsbridge, where a magnificent cathedral now stands.

There are a number of rich and colorful characters that drive the story, and the age old battle between good and evil plays itself out through them. Spanning a period of thirty-four turbulent years, this is a spellbinding story of love, hate, betrayal, revenge, and triumph. Moreover, the Black Plague has reared its ugly head, and England will never be the same. New ideas are germinating on the horizon, coming into conflict with the settled way of doing things, and the town and people of Kingsbridge are in a state of flux.

Although the novel is a lengthy one, the reader will be unable to put the book down, so engaging and absorbing is the story. Those who are partial to the historical fiction genre will very much enjoy this book.

It is a sad book because it had to end. It is the first time I ever remember a love-hate feeling about a book. I loved the read but hated to see the pages diminish as I finished the book.Some nights I would intentionally not read any pages in order to prolong the enjoyment. Thank you Mr. Follett.

I was really looking forward to this book, especially after reading the first book Pillars of the Earth. Pillars had a great plot, great characters, and a fantastic setting.

World Without End on the other hand was nothing but violence, followed by sex, followed by more violence. Then repeat that over and over again for 1000 pages. End of novel.

I don't recommend this book at all. While Follett does make an attempt at developing some great characters, he spends too much time on the other stuff and not enough time building a good plot. This book could easily have been 400 - 500 pages long and a great read. Instead it's nothing but a doorstop.