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)

World Without End

In true Ken Follett fashion, "World Without End" is captivating. A great book, well read and certainly recommended, particularly if you are a Follett fan. PS This is a great book to listen to if you are a cyclist and want to log some miles without even noticing the effort.

A Bit Dark for My Taste

While I enjoyed the book very much, some things were very hard to listen too - especially when it concerned Rolf. He's a despicable character. Guess that's life in the 13th century. I preferred Ken Follet's first book on the church builders, Pillars of the Earth. Maybe as it was written so many years earlier, it didn't have to compete with today's edgier world.

World Without End

Character development was very good. A very good listen. A little light on reality as Corn wasn't introduced in Europe until after Columbus.

A great "sequel"

I loved Pillars, and so had high expectations of World. It did not disappoint, although I thought the Pillars characters were more engaging and the story had more of an over-arching theme (the building of the cathedral), which is missing here. John Lee continues to delight and I am hopeful that Ken Follett is working on the next installment.

Excellent effort

This is a well written book performed by a great narrator who reads well and does the characters very well

The Best Book I have heard in years!

I learned history. I heard a love story. I learned how buildings where built and how the industry was developed. Oh my....the details are just wonderful!

Page turner

As was Pillars of the Earth, World Without End is a page turner, all one thousand and fourteen pages.

Mr Follett did it again!

It's said the sequel is rarely as good as the original story. Not so here. I loved how the story weaves itself through the lives 4 children & the town of Kingsbridge. Really loved it...listened twice!

Yet another great book By Ken Follett

Very interesting historical Fiction that will keep you in thralled hours on end which it takes over 40. Well worth the listen. Excellent reading and delivery and easy to understand and follow. Sometimes it’s a little racy just like it probably was back then. Every passion of the human condition was explored. We wanted to take eight and 10 Hour drives just to listen to the book.

World without end

I love John Lee!!!! More please!!!!
John Ken reading a Ken Follett Novel, heaven......(she sighs longingly)
Nancy H.