If you can possibly imagine a cross between Thomas Hardy and Wilbur Smith you might begin to conceive the grandeur of Ken Follett’s epic work “The Pillars of the Earth”.
There are hints of Jude and Tess in the tragic elements of Pillars, and the rural landscape also reminds of Hardy. The chronology of families through generations, and the gripping narrative, will be familiar to readers of Smith.
But the brilliant writing, the vivid imagination, the historical research and the intriguing peculiarity of the storyline are unique. I have never read anything as moving and powerful as this book.
Set in rural England in the 12th century it tells the fictional backdrop to the building of a giant cathedral at Kingsbridge. The hero is a humble monk, Philip, who becomes Prior of the Benedictine Monastery.
He is a true man of God, concerned about the practical needs of his flock as well as their souls. His virtue is manipulated by others, but he learns worldly skills and succeeds against great odds in building a prosperous community.
The political situation is dire. England plunged into chaos after King Henry I died without a male heir. Constant civil war raged while the new King Stephen fought Henry’s daughter Maud and her supporters for power.
This gave the barons tremendous local power and they generally abused it. The evil character in this book, William Hamleigh, becomes Earl of Shiring and runs amok. He’s a brutal man who steals, rapes and murders at will. He fears Hell, but a corrupt Bishop gives him absolution for each terrible crime and schemes with William for greater power.
Pillars also traces the family of Tom, a mason whose dream is to build a great cathedral. Tom falls on hard times, thanks in part to William, and his first wife dies in the forest during winter while giving birth in the open air.
Tom leaves the baby to die, but conscience prompts his return to the scene. The baby though is gone. He later discovers it was found by a passing priest and taken to Prior Philip’s monastery.
Tom wins support from Prior Philip to rebuild the Kingsbridge Cathedral after it was mysteriously burnt to the ground. Tom’s stepson Jack was responsible for the arson, but this fact never becomes known to anyone except Tom.
I won’t go into much more detail, or it will become confusing. My edition of the book was 1076 pages, which I read in four days.
It ends with the true murder of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, by knights who thought they were doing the work of Henry II.
It’s a happy, uplifting finish though, and again I won’t reveal the detail here.
This book combines tragedy with humor, gentleness, compassion, good and evil. Right prevails over wrong, but only after a torturous struggle in which scores of innocent people suffer and die.
I really enjoyed the historical setting. The 12th century period fascinates me, especially English history given the political significance of conflict between Church and state, barons and Kings.
Follett also gives a social insight to how people lived at that time.
I’ve been inspired to read more of his work. This was certainly the best book I’ve read in a long time. The author’s comments can be read here.
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Hello !
As everybody, I found this site by googling. I am not surprised by all comments about this unbelievable book..I have just finished it in 2,5 days, in its French version “Les piliers de la terre” (1050 pages) I simply couldn’t put it down…Emotions I felt have been so numerous, so strong ! Such books are like cathedrals, belonging to treasures of mankind, and modifying your way of looking at life.
Chacun mérite de le lire…
I thought that this was one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read. It is difficult to believe that it happens in a fictional place. I felt so close to the characters that I felt I actually knew them. What a wonderful story, I hope Ken Follet can give us more books like that
I just finished the book. A truly absorbing read. Took me about 4 long nights. More Wilbur Smith than Thomas Hardy, but still a fascinating insight into 12th Century England. What a time. I dont know how historically accurate the book was, but it was enough to pique my curiosity and spend some time googling for more information about the period. And surely that’s a sign of a successful novel?
A formidable book !!
Shame that the cathedral so be it undiscovered, I would have well wanted to
observe him “he truly”…
So when the fitted novelistic film ?
Hallo, I have read the Czech version of Pillars, it was really great. I checked always the map and found Kingsbridge near south cost of England and now I am suprised, that is no cathedral in this town. Mr. Follet built something great! Karel
Hi,
My name is Joe and I just finished reading “Pillars of the Earth” for the third time. I first read it in the early ’90′s and was fascinated by the characters and history. I was especially interested in the cathedral construction techniques used back in the medieval period. I recommended that everyone read this book, but for those of you how have already read it once, I suggest that you read it a second time; only this time read it very slowly, as I did this past time, and delight in Ken Follet’s artistry.
Joe Ft. Myers, FLA
Hi. Just wanted to add my name to the (growing) list of readers who closed the book, only to Google “Kingsbridge cathedral”. I plowed through the book in a few short days, much to the consternation of my children who would have preferred to share my attention. Is it true that there’s a sequel in the works, or is it as fictitious as the cathedral?
Hello, friends!
I’m right in the middle of the Pillars (“Stolpy zemli” in russian). My wife is getting jealous because i don’t leave the book for the last week.
Russian literature usually speaks about fiction places, so i did suspect that Kingsbridge doesn’t exist. Yet it’s a pity. The novel is very-very good.
Hi.
Just finished it and am curious about the history of England at that time. So I was googling words like “Kingsbridge” and “Shiring” to see where these places actually were located and found this website. This book is so believable and I’m now confused reality with fiction. LOL. When I have a chance to visit England again, I’d like to see these beautiful cathedrals more carefully. This book reminded me how much I love learning nooks and crannies of history!
Hi, i finished reading pillars about a month ago, and while i have tried a few other books to read since then, i am now convinced that nothing is going to compare very well. I was wondering if anyone had any other books that might be along the same lines as pillars and just as interesting. If anyone knows of anything that might compare, please let me know
Cerix, try Havoc in its Third Year, by Ronan Bennett. It’s not an epic like Pillars, but it’s excellent historical fiction.
Hi! I saw in the comments that there’s a spanish girl who read the book about half a year ago. Well, I’m from Spain too and I finished reading the book yesterday. It took me 8 days to finish it (1358 pages edition, in spanish). I think it’s one of the best -if not the best- books I’ve read in my life. It’s so gripping and action-packed I couldn’t stop reading -specially the part where Aliena travels to Spain searching for Jack and he’s about to get married-. I just wanted to share my enthusiasm with others and I found that there are hundreds of people who loved the story. The second parts is gonna be published on 2007, we’ll see again then. Bye!!
I first read Pillars in 1999 and I have just re-read it, with probably more enjoyment and fascination than the first time. No doubt, in another six years or so, I can enjoy it again. It is wonderful news that there will be a sequel. I am a South African, but Pillars made me look at cathedrals with new eyes on my travels through the UK and Europe.
Although Follet’s characters and the cathedral are fictional, Kingsbridge is not entirely fictional. The town of Kingsbridge in the South Hams, Devon, have quite a lot in common with the Kingsbridge of Pillars. The modern town was made up of two medieval towns, Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke. “Kingsbridge and the lands around it passed into the possession of the Abbots of Buckfast Abbey some time after the Norman Conquest. The Abbot of Buckfast was granted the right to hold a market in Kingsbridge in 1219, his monks selling their produce of honey, fruit, vegetables and thick cream, and so began the tradition of Kingsbridge as a market town, which continues to this day.” (Quoted from the Kingsbridge website)
I guess I am a glutton – I just finished reading POE for the fourth time! I read it at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival & saw Richard III at the same time. It brought a little something extra to the read. I can’t wait for the sequel but I am a bit nervous – we all know what sequels are capable of… Good Luck, Ken
Hi again. I see that you are interested in the sequel of Pillars. Well, I’ve just found out that, provided that the characters grow old in the first part, 200 years will’ve passed when the sequel begins. That would take us to the 14th century and thus our friends will be threatened by the bubonic plague.
Hope we like it! ;P ….CU
Hi there. Just finished Pillars and I guess it’s because you just can’t get enough that you start searching the web for more information. I always like Wikipedia because it gives a bit more insight on the historical features. You might like to surf there as well. After Pillars I’m inspired to reread In the name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Can’t wait to reread Pillars in a while.
Hi…A friend gave me the Pillars & I loved the story…it’s amazing that I know people just like them, right here in my hometown! Maybe not quite like William in the murder & rape, but certainly like him in mean attitude. I do wish I could have seen the Cathedral…it’s hard to believe it exists only in our imaginations.
This is the second time reading “Pillars”, and I’m equally happy as the first time.The characters are so real, and the cathedral, makes me want to travel to the UK and discover them all. I’ve tried finding books similar to this one, but nothing yet comes close to it. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.
I just finished reading Pillars of the Earth, some guy at a garage sale recommended it saying it was the best book he ever read. It was every bit as great as he made it out to be. I read it in about 7 days and am having withdrawls. I found the following web site that has some really cool pics of cathedrals: http://hanser.ceat.okstate.edu/2003/new%20pages%2001/2003mt16sld.htm
A Place Called Freedom by Follett is also a very good read.
Hi. I’m a south african who just finnished reading ‘Pillars’ yesterday. Wow what an epic. By far the best book i have ever read!!! Like many other people i too thought that the cathedral at kingsbridge was real as all the others mentioned in the book are. Also like many i became addicted to the story and had to find out more, and naturally found this site. Follett truly is a master!!! Good luck to him for the sequel….
It’s wonderful! I read it 7 years ago and I’m still fascinated by this novel.I think it doesn’t exist a better one, if it does, please tell me!
Hi, I’m french and I read the book in french : Les piliers de la terre.
I also searched the Kingsbridge cathedral
I found this one, in the Devon, no far from Kingsbridge : the towers were built at the period of Ken Follet’s story (normand period, 1110) and the roof is gothic.
The french cathedrals in Follet’s roman, are real : St Denis church, Sens Cathedral. And ste Colomb abbey really exists, and Thomas Becket was really in Ste Colombe (six years)near Sens.
Here is the adress of the web page, where you can see a photograph from this cathedral :
http://www.devon-online.com/towns/exeter/exeter.html
Hi Pieter,
Thank you for the information : here is the address of the site (Kingbridge):
http://www.kingsbridgeinfo.co.uk/area.aspx
I forgot to say that the cathedral I found, from the normand period in the Devon, is Exeter Cathedral (in Exeter, there is a benedictine priory : St Nicholas) : “he two towers of the cathedral, are from the Normal Period, dating from 1110, whilst the majority of the building, including the splendid West Front with its medieval”.
I was happy too find this cathedral, even though it’s not “Kingsbridge cathedral”. I hope you will enjoy too
hi!i am a filipino…………..i really like the story.for me,it is awesome.A work of a real genius.i really like it because someday i want to be a man of god like prior philip of the pillars of the earth!!!!!!!!!!!!GOD BLESS!!!
I too have just read ‘Pillars of the Earth’ and found it so awesome.
Having recently travelled through England, Ireland and the Continent, I marvelled at the beautiful Cathedrals I saw, and wondered how they were built.
Sitting in the likes of The Minster in York, and the beautiful Newry Cathedral in N/E. Ireland, to mention a couple, and looking up and about and marvelling at their building I found this book so enthralling and engaging, as well as educational.
A compelling story line, to me, made it brilliant ‘hard to put down’ reading. It made one feel that they were actually there and experiencing the life it portrays.
Pillars is unbelievably good – Everyone seems to agree.
Has anyone actually found books as good, or even better?
Please post suggestions for treatment of PWS or Pillars Withdrawel Syndrome
Twitter: mgorey
says:
In reply to the previous comment, I’m currently reading Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell. It’s not on the same dramatic scale as Pillars, but it’s pretty good.
Hi! I am reading Pillars.. kinda half way through. When I first got the book I hardly read it n ut it away…but now I just can’t let go of it. Its truly amazing work….I’m gonna put it down only after completing it.
I’m nearly done with Pillars and it is fantastic. I truly takes you back to the 12th century. While the Kingsbridge Cathedral is fictional, the story actually parallels real events. The Bishop Waleron wsa a real person who died in 1183. Additionally, in 1137 there was a fire that destroyed a cathedral. My guess is that Ken had read some church history and picked the 12th century as a good source of juicy inspiration. It’s actually quite fascinating reading the accounts of treachery and war that went on during those days.
Terribly modern! Context is different, but the way of thinking, judging, being afraid, etc. are so similar to our contemporanean people, and there are so many places where things often go wrong, wars, bad weather… What can we do to? May we become real characters in the “story” of our real life? And which character will we probably be, or want to be?
Hi all! I have just finished reading a ukrainian version of Pillars (“Stovpy zamli”). I did not slipped for 5 nights while reading. The book is fantastic! The theme about Middle Ages was always interested me, after reading Lord of the rings. It`s a pity that Kinsbridge cathedral didn`t existed in real – I find out this sad fact 10 minutes ago while googling. Respect to Ken Folett, I`m already waiting for siquel.
P.S. sorry for bad english:)
buckfast abbey built by less than 6 monks, seek and you will find
It’s quite amazing that i’ve actually had the chance to talk about this book. It’s one of the most amazing things i’ve ever come across in my life. The characters are so marvellous that it feels exciting and awe-inspiring. Do you ever feel that it was a privilege to have to read this book? I do. And i loved every bit of this chance. Wish i could read it forever!
Beer is one of the leading characters in that story, but I did not know such a beverage was that readily available in England (and particularly for monks and folks, and even for breakfast) in those ancient ages.
Pillars of the Earth is an excellent read, I have noticed requests for other good books during this time period. One excellent book is ‘A Crowning Mercy’ by Bernard Cornwell, it has a sequel called ‘Fallen Angels’ but I didn’t think it was anywhere near as good as the first. These books take place in England medieval times to 1700′s
What a wonderful book I am only dissapointed in the fact that wonderful cathederal does not exist I would love to see it as I feel by reading the book I actually help build it, I love churches as such but now I look not just at the structure but the way it was build.
Would love to see a movie made?
What a wonderful mind to be able to write like this congratulations I wait patiently for the next book.
really great read & worth the time investment. oprah got this one right!