• World Without End

  • By: Ken Follett
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 45 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (20,630 ratings)

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World Without End  By  cover art

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
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Love it!

I loved this book! John Lee the narrator is once again makes it even more amazing!

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Favorite Kingsbridge Novel

Hands-down my favorite of all of Follett’s historical fiction. The characters are complex and authentic.

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engaging, episodic, satisfying

The story wraps up a little too predictably and neatly, but the characters are compelling. I found it difficult to turn off. The narration is splendid. The historical and architectural information blends well. Follett reviews the story too often for my taste, but I certainly never lost track of characters or plot. This ate up the miles on road trips! #HistoricalFiction #Medieval #BlackPlague #Religious #RichVsPoor #Family #Epic #Violent #Multigenerational #Monasticism #Architecture #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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The Best.

He has written many great ones, but in my humble opinion, this story is Ken Follett’s crowning achievement, and Lee is brilliant in bringing to life.

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Yes!!!

Wonderful especially because we are living through a similar situation of pandemic. History repeating itself and our own time.

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Loved this book

As long as it was, I dreaded having it end. Such a great story, with timeless characteristics and virtues.

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Suprisingly relevant to today's problems

Believable and relatable characters that you truly care about through the telling of the book. Long but so hard to put down.

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a wonderful weaveing of history and characters

really enjoyed how the author wove in key historical events throughout the struggles endured by common people against ruthless clergy and nobles.

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Great second book!

Great book! Can't wait to read the third in the series! always entertaining and hard to stop!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

highly enjoyable

while not on the same level as pillars of the earth, the scope and characters of the tale left me longing to see how it would all end. well worth the 40+ hr listen.

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