Product Description

Ken Follett has 90 million readers worldwide. The Pillars of the Earth is his bestselling book of all time. Now, eighteen years after the publication of The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett has written the most anticipated sequel of the year-World Without End.

Unabridged edition read by John Lee

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #306 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1024 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Eighteen years after Pillars of the Earth weighed in with almost 1,000 pages of juicy historical fiction about the construction of a 12th-century cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, bestseller Follett returns to 14th-century Kingsbridge with an equally weighty tome that deftly braids the fate of several of the offspring of Pillars' families with such momentous events of the era as the Black Death and the wars with France. Four children, who will become a peasant's wife, a knight, a builder and a nun, share a traumatic experience that will affect each of them differently as their lives play out from 1327 to 1361. Follett studs the narrative with gems of unexpected information such as the English nobility's multilingual training and the builder's technique for carrying heavy, awkward objects. While the novel lacks the thematic unity of Pillars, readers will be captivated by the four well-drawn central characters as they prove heroic, depraved, resourceful or mean. Fans of Follett's previous medieval epic will be well rewarded. (Oct.)
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From Bookmarks Magazine
The sequel to Ken Follett’s best-selling Pillars of the Earth (1989) is equally compellingâ€"and equally long. World moves the action from the 12th to the 14th century, following the descendants of the earlier book’s main characters and continuing its use of architectural details as a way to explore themes of change and continuity. Critics praised the novel’s intricately constructed plot, lively pace, and overall exuberance, if at times the complex subplots overwhelm the main theme of stasis versus change. While some reviewers criticized Follett’s characters for being no more than pawns of larger forces, most agreed with the Washington Post’s assessment that "the ups and downs of [the characters’] lives are so well engineered that their lack of dimension isn’t a major problem." Though engaging on most levels, World and its 1,000 pages may be best suited for patient readers who don’t mind a book seemingly without end.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

From AudioFile
John Lee gives a breathtaking performance of FollettÕs sequel to PILLARS OF THE EARTH. Two hundred years have passed, and fourteenth-century Kingsbridge is now a prosperous town, with its cathedral and priory still a central force. As the novel follows its four main characters from 1327 to 1361, medieval English life is slowly and thoroughly revealed. Lee gives stunning portraits of change-resistant churchmen, the hardships and superstitions of peasant life, the inequities of corrupt noblemen, and the grotesqueries of the Black Death. While creating wholly credible major and minor characters, Lee delivers FollettÕs intricate plots and subplots, making each detail fascinating, from medieval medicine and bridge-building to the surprisingly powerful role of women. Even after 36 CDs, listeners will be sorry to see this book end. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Maybe not Pillars, but still good quality
When I read "Pillars of the Earth" a couple of years ago, I immediately ranked it in my all-time top 10 -- a five star. My wife then read POTE and enthusiastically endorsed it, too. So, when "World without End" came out last year, she immediately bought it, finished it within a week and said it was better than POTE. Hmm, I thought. I have finally gotten around to reading WWE and, although it is a delightful story, I didn't find it to be in the same league as POTE.

WWE's major shortcoming is that the Plague -- which doesn't just come around once, but over and over -- wipes out too many characters, both the good and the bad, and therefore eliminates all kinds of potential story development along with it. So, what we're conveniently left with in the end, is that our white-hat lead characters are the only ones left standing. This sort of writing is a little too lackadaisical for me.

On a lesser note, what is with Follett's preoccupation with sex? It certainly isn't titillating and, in my opinion, is excessive. Anyone beyond their early 20s has outgrown this stuff.

All in all, though, WWE is another very good Follett story that should appeal to both men and women of various ages. By all means, read it. Don't be put off because it isn't five stars.

a wonderful read
This was even better than Pillars of the Earth. A gripping tale with well developed characters and plot. It's an interesting look into life in the 14th century.

Compelling
Listening to this audiobook on a recent 18-hour solo drive, I gained an understanding of what daily life was like in Medieval times through this fascinating story. I was drawn into the lives of the characters to the point that I was anxious to get up early on day two of my trip just so I could find out what was happening. Wonderful story, skillfully told. I will read more Ken Follett in the future.