World Without End

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 45 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1989 Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in 12th-century England that centered on the building of a cathedral and the men, women, and children whose lives it changed forever. Critics were overwhelmed, and readers and listeners ever since have hoped for a sequel.

At last, here it is. Although the two novels may be listened to in any order, World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge.

Three years in the writing, World Without End once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.

Listen to The Pillars of the Earth.

©2007 Ken Follett (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fans of Follett's previous medieval epic will be well rewarded." (Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful

I read several very cool reviews before purchasing the second book. Hence, I was ready to be a bit disappointed. On the contrary I found it to be every bit as rich and addicting as the first book. The characters are engaging and the rich history kept me listening well into the night. John Lee is splendid and made listening a pleasure. I have not been so engaged in a series since the Riyria Chronicles. I wish there were 10 more books. Ha

You will love it if you love historial fiction.

If historical fiction is for you, so is this book. It is obviously well researched and well written. The characters are vivid and believable. The story is rich, and the setting captivating. One word of caution, this book is only for historical fiction lovers. Otherwise, it may seem to drag and be tedious. It is full of era details and descriptions. Not for the easily bored.

Amazing storytelling

Wow. I was unfamiliar with this series and a little put off by the lenght of the material. However, I discovered a great story teller. The hours pass by. Highly recommended.

Another amazing story of the Kingsbridge series!

Absolutely engrossing and great narration! I got goosebumps at the end. Looking forward to the next book!

Excellent!

I remembered liking Pillars of the Earth so I took a chance on this 45 hour audiobook. It was amazing. Sometimes I spread up a book through parts, and I know I could have read the paper book faster, but the reader is amazing and brought the story to life. He does voices and accents, and I felt I was there. I often rewound to listen to parts again.

This is not a story laden with symbolism, but the parallels between the plague and COVId are astounding. Additionally, I love the confluence of the birth of medicine, and, like Pillars, the detains about architecture. I learn so much.

Perfect for a very long car ride

This days long epic book will take you through the longest car ride. I listen to this over a solid 4 day on a road trip - and still had a massive amount of hours left to listen to.

On top of that, it's a great story read by the perfect narrator.

so much darker than pillars of the earth

roughly 50 (leaving 5 hours give or take of positive things) hours of the good burghers of kingsbridge getting raped murdered lied to forced into starvation or religious service falsely accused of heresy and whatever else I forgot and if you managed to not have that happen to you sorry to hear that have an agonizing death by the plague as a consolation prize .... I really almost quit listening to it after the first 24 hours please don't call this a love story it's a love letter to man's inhumanity to man... at least in pillars there were decent lengths of time where positive things happened in this book the smallest positive thing was met with the fiercest punishment ... don't think I'll be getting any more of his books

Brilliant as always!

Fantastic book and incredible narration! Ken Follett is the greatest author in history! This series is so beautifully done and the character development is incredible.

great continuation

I thoroughly enjoyed the extenuation of the story of Ken's previous book Pillars Of The Earth. I enjoyed the familiar characters and the extenuating of the story under which each next generation live their life and prosper. thoroughly enjoyable

lovely in every way.

Phenomenally written and performed. Dare I say better than the first? Yes, had me hooked on every character, every story, not that the first didn't, but this one seemed to give me... more.