The Pillars of the Earth

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 40 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known...of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul...of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame...and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother.

A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of 12th century England, this is Ken Follett's historical masterpiece.

©1989 Ken Follett (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Critic reviews

"Follett is a master." (The Washington Post)

"A historical novel of gripping readability, authentic atmosphere and detail and memorable characterization." (Publishers Weekly)

Amazing

I cried a few times. Mostly from sheer happiness at the resolve of a situation. The characters are brought to life so well. My favorite is how deep inside their psyche the author is able to take us. The narrator is the best I've heard. Another plus is that you learn about the era through the story. Great way to just sit back and take a journey-- it does what a great book is suppose to do. I can't recommend this book enough.

Brilliant

Captivating storytelling. The building of a cathedral explains the incredible depth of the human spirit.

Worth the hype

What made the experience of listening to The Pillars of the Earth the most enjoyable?

The story is remarkable - Ken Follett really did a marvelous job. If you're putting off reading this just because so many people like it, stop. It really is worth all the buzz it's gotten.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

I always knew which character was speaking - he gave them distinctive voices. His narration was also dynamic - there wasn't a moment where I felt the book lagging because of John Lee's performace.

John Lee plus Middle Ages

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There are some words that Ken Follett uses over and over. There is also a lot of rape. That being said, the scope, both macro and micro, of this novel is fascinating. Gleaning tiny pieces of information about what life might have been like for different classes of individuals during this time, learning about the art and craft of cathedral building - these things pull you through the novel, while the plot thumps along at a steady, and often surprising, pace.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aliena - for her smarts and fortitude. Jack is, of course, a close second (for similar reasons).

Which scene was your favorite?

I love and am fascinated with Jack's mother, and so love and am deeply saddened by her telling the tale of Jack's father.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh and cry. It also made me angry. However, I found myself in a state of awe - at the amount of research that had to have gone into the book's creation, and at this foreign time period and its ways and means.

Any additional comments?

The narration is spectacular. I could listen to John Lee narrate the phone book. I even find his curious pronunciations to be endearing (speaking of you, "squirrel").

wow. if you have seen the mini series

but want a deeper dive … pick this novel up. the story is so interesting. the depth of the characters is delicious. just a little peek into the world of how the beautiful cathedrals of the middle ages were built. the tales of the buildings are just as fantastic as the lives of the people. thanks ken follett for breaking out of your usual format and sharing a little insight into the minds of those brilliant men and women of such a very long time ago.

My only regret is that I didn't read it sooner.

A beautiful story...or stories all interwoven into this masterpiece. Beautifully narrated as well! My only disappointment was when the book ended. Unlike some listeners, the violence (the rape in particular) did not seem at all offensive to me, as it added to the quality of the story and the depth of the characters. It wasn't done for shock value or for some sick pleasure. The treatment of women in this story was brutal, yes, but was true to the times, so if that offended you, just be thankful you live in this century. This will forever be a favorite of mine! If you enjoyed this, I highly suggest you give A Company of Liars a listen.

A sweeping drama

I read this before and was pleasantly surprised that I found myself still cheering for the protagonists, and distressed at every success the villains achieved. The conclusion was a bit too neat, and brief in my opinion--like a jolt after a long fall. But still, I loved it again!

Story building

I absolutely love the story telling and world building. It’s one of those books you can really visually engage with.

It’s one of my favorites of all time.

One of the greatest stories ever told!

Follett's characters transport you hundreds of years ago to a time when details and history heretofore seemed vague. His cities and towns, farms and forests paint a picture so clear you can feel, hear and smell the world around you. The triumphs and trials inspire audible laughs, palpable anxiety, and real tears. I love this book, as well as its sequels, and hope you will too!

A great story marred only by a few audio glitches.

A great story marred only by a few audio glitches. The story is riveting, the world and its inhabitants all seem to be so believable in their actions.