The Pillars of the Earth

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: Richard E. Grant

If you liked the Century Trilogy, you’ll love the “extraordinary...monumental masterpiece” (Booklist) that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career.

“Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal.

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 twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Pillars of the Earth

"Enormous and brilliant . . . a great epic tale . . . crammed with characters unbelievably alive across the great gulf of centuries . . . touches all human emotion—love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair. See for yourself. This is truly a novel to get lost in." —Cosmopolitan

"Wonderful . . . will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." —Chicago Sun-Times

"Follett is a master." —The Washington Post

"A towering tale . . . a ripping read. . . . There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust." —The New York Daily News

"Ken Follett takes a giant step." —San Francisco Chronicle

"With this book, Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner . . . a historical novel of gripping readability, authentic atmosphere, and memorable characterization. Beginning with a mystery that casts its shadow, the narrative is a seesaw of tension, suspense, impeccable pacing . . . action, intrigue, violence, passion, greed, bravery, dedication, revenge, and love. A love that entertains, instructs, and satisfies on a grand scale." —Publishers Weekly

"An extraordinary epic buttressed by suspense . . . a mystifying puzzle involving the execution of an innocent man . . . the erection of a magnificent cathedral . . . romance, rivalry, and spectacle. A monumental masterpiece . . . a towering triumph from a major talent." —Booklist

Excellent Historical Novel of the 12th Century

Follett weaves a clever story dealing with church, state, and the people of 12th century England during the time of King Henry and Thomas Beckett. It's a fun, but scary ride back to the Middle Ages where the peasants are at the mercy of the sovereign, and justice moves slowly.

Great Book

Beautifully written and narrated. One of my favorites yet.

Not as good as the book

This was one of my favorite books and I was looking forward to listening to the story again. Sadly, the story was edited to the point that it was mutilated. The reader was quite good but he couldn’t fix the story.

Time Warped Me to Another World

I was somewhat skeptical after reading some reviews but my wife encouraged me tho give it a try. Absolutely loved it.

Great Book. Really Sad tho.

Any additional comments?

It takes a while to get into this audiobook. It starts off really sad. In the middle it's really sad. Even near the end it's sad. But it's still a good book. Once I felt invested in the characters I really enjoyed it. Great plot twist and amazing description of architecture.