Books from the Backlog is hosted by Carol's Random Life in Books. It is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.
Everything readers expect from Follett is here: intrigue, fast-paced action, and passionate romance. But what makes The Pillars of the Earth extraordinary is the time the twelfth century; the place feudal England; and the subject the building of a glorious cathedral. Follett has re-created the crude, flamboyant England of the Middle Ages in every detail. The vast forests, the walled towns, the castles, and the monasteries become a familiar landscape.
Against this richly imagined and intricately interwoven backdrop, filled with the ravages of war and the rhythms of daily life, the master storyteller draws the reader irresistibly into the intertwined lives of his characters into their dreams, their labors, and their loves: Tom, the master builder; Aliena, the ravishingly beautiful noblewoman; Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge; Jack, the artist in stone; and Ellen, the woman of the forest who casts a terrifying curse. From humble stonemason to imperious monarch, each character is brought vividly to life.
The building of the cathedral, with the almost eerie artistry of the unschooled stonemasons, is the center of the drama. Around the site of the construction, Follett weaves a story of betrayal, revenge, and love, which begins with the public hanging of an innocent man and ends with the humiliation of a king.
Why did I get this book?
Because I watched the series on Starz!!!!
Yup, that's it. I was completely hooked on this series and I swore that I would read this book. Sadly, I let the size of the book intimidate me so I just put it at the back of the shelves. I rediscovered it this summer when I began to do some home decorating (I use books and its covers for seasonal decorating around my place) and it made me sigh. I looked up the series on YouTube and found this:
Boy! It definitely makes we want to watch the series again and makes me want to read the book. Fingers cross that I'll find the courage to tackle it (Honestly, it's not that big...lies I tell myself).
I love big books, but sometimes I need a bit of extra oomph to pick one up because there is a little intimidation going on. Hope you love it as much as the show adaption.
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