The Evening and the Morning

Kingsbridge, Book 4

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 24 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-One New York Times Best Seller

An Amazon Best Book of 2020

A thrilling and addictive new novel - a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth - set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages

"Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth].... A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series." (The Washington Post)

It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.

In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in.... A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic.... A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.

Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

©2020 Ken Follett (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] richly told, complex story...Follett is a powerful storyteller...[whose] fans will enjoy this jaunt through the days before England was merry.” (Kirkus, starred)

“Follett has done it again. Readers will gobble up this exciting prequel.” (Library Journal)

“[An] absorbing and lengthy saga of life in a chaotic and unstable England on the cusp of the Middle Ages...Fans of Follett's ever-popular Kingsbridge series...will flock to this...while intrigued newcomers can start here.” (Booklist)

Book Zero

As summer has come to an end and today is the first day of fall, I am saddened to be writing this review. “The Evening and the Morning” will probably be the last book in the Kingsbridge series unless Ken Follett writes another (pre) prequel to these books. I ended up reading the first book in 2012 and adored the next, next, and next novels. I don’t like to read any book twice just because there are too many new and old books out there that I still need to read, but I would not regret reading the Kingsbridge series in sequence. Book Zero has definitely completed my summer.

Great Story with Excellent Narration

This was a long awaited read for me. Having loved Pillars of the Earth, this prequel did not disappoint. Having said that, you do not need to have read Pillars. The narrator kept all of the many characters distinctly apart. The author wove a tale that kept me not wanting to put the book down. Sit down and enjoy!

Mid-evil Hypocrisy with a Twist of Romance

Ken Follett is a talented writer, whom I was first introduced to in watching and then reading “The Pillars of the Earth”, to which this book is a prequel. The characters are richly described; the events flow easily; and the hypocrisy and injustice of the time period abound.
It is truly mind blowing that the corruption with in the church went unchecked until it was out of control , and the general mistreatment of women was appalling. I am very grateful to be living in our current era, even with the continued corruption.
Egger and Ragnar face many obstacles in their lives, as would be expected from Ken Follett:
barbarous Vikings; poverty; class distinction/separation; narcissism in the clergy who also rule the area, general corruption; mistreatment of women; the early plague, and England’s weather. It is truly wondrous that people could actually have found happiness during that time period.
The story also explains how the small town by a river bank became the great town of Kingsbridge in “Pillars.”

exciting in so many ways

wonderful overall. was truly upset during the drama. ended happy ever after and I like that.

Formulaic but entertaining

I really enjoyed pillars of the earth and world without end, so I was very excited to get this book on audible. This one follows the exact formula of the other two so in that way it sounds very familiar/predictable. However, the narrator did a solid job and it was an entertaining listen.

Incredible. Ken Follett is amazing

He continues to thrill me with his literary magic. This prequel to the kings bridge trilogy did not disappoint. So impressed. So happy to have experienced the story. And John Lee is perhaps the greatest voiceover talent of our age.

excellent as usual

engaging, thrilling, and relatable. Ken Follett does it again. the only downside is that he cannot write fast enough for me.

Loved this!

I'm so glad I read this. Such a good story. I cant wait to read Pillars of the earth. I remember watching the show long ago and loving it but im sure the books are way better.

Love is the Conqueror!!

Having read another book by Ken Follett in this series, I was anxious to read this pre-quill. I was not disappointed. The story was true to the time and place and each character was drawn as a very real person. The inner action among the people was made very real. Can’t wait to read the next book in the story. Thank for the great narrative.

Another Follett journey in time

I love historical fiction, and this book doesn't disappoint. This prequel to Pillars of the Earth carries the characters through with consistency and a bit of surprise.