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  • World Without End

  • By: Ken Follett
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 45 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (20,806 ratings)

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World Without End

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: John Lee
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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.

©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)

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What listeners say about World Without End

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    15,367
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hard to put down!!

Fantastic book, I feel like I'm parting with old friends. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ken Follett does it again!

What did you love best about World Without End?

I love how Ken Follett's characters are so diverse and tangible, although there are many characters throughout his stories I rarely have a hard time differentiating them. Narrator can make or break a book, John Lee doesn't disappoint!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

All of the Ken Follett books I've read are intimidating in size but I'm always surprised by how quickly I devour them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The plague...who would have thought it played such Positive role in the overall lives of man's rights.

The character's detailed thoughts, actions and lives in general explore and explain the machinations of men, their roles in the church, their social status, the government, careers, community, royal circles and family. Each character has flaws but ultimately how a person deals with their imperfections determines if they are good or evil. Follett is a master at following the twists and turns of human nature while teaching us history. Fabulous book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fantastic

Ken Follet did exactly what he always does. He gives us a great story, great interaction of characters and a great history lesson. Can't wait for the next one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

Loved the characters. Great story all around. Love the fact that historical characters are also blended into the story
John Lee has become my favorite story.reader.

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