Pillars of the Earth

Rating: 4/5 stars

By now, most of you know how I feel if it takes me more than two weeks to finish a book.  It's upsetting to me.  Scott and I have such an abundance of books to read (blame it mostly on Goodreads Swap) that I feel guilty spending so much time on one.  That being said, Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth is worth reading!  (It is in fact on my mom's top 10 which is saying something.)  While it's not a quick read, nor is it a difficult read.  What might make people put the book down is the extensive amount of details, especially architectural details as the book centers around the building of a cathedral in the medieval England.

This almost 1000 page book (which took me 2 weeks and 5 days to read) spans the years 1123-1174 and revolves, as mentioned, around the building of a cathedral at Kingsbridge Priory, home of the Kingsbridge brotherhood of monks.  In the beginning of the novel, the priory is in decay, being lead by declining and disorganized prior.  Shortly, the prior is taken over by young Prior Phillip, though not without cost.  When the failing priory's cathedral burns to the ground in an "accident", Phillip thinks all is lost.  But Tom the builder and his family save the day as Tom fulfills his dream of designing and working on a grand cathedral with his son, Alfred, and step-son, Jack.  Other characters play significant rolls as well.  What epic novel is complete without a conniving villain or two? In this case, Bishop Waleran and William Hamleigh who are powerful men of England and try everything to prevent the building of the castle and in William's case, the happiness of his former wife-to-be, Aliena (daughter of the captured Earl of Shiring).  English politics weave into the mix to make for a great historical novel and a good read.

Long story short, read this book if you are interested in the following:
1) Architecture (especially medieval)
2) Medieval History
3) Corrupt priests (as well as goodly ones).
4) Medieval love stories
Or, if you have a lot of patience and enjoy detail.

Now I have moved on to something lighter...at least physically.  I'm pretty sure I broke my back from carrying this book around for almost 3 weeks!  Thanks to Aunt Elaine for the great recommendation and for lending the book.