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explodingalice's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this. It has the makings of something sweeping and beautiful. Alas. There are multiple graphic rape scenes (so many), bad guy characters who are laughably one-dimensional, ludicrous coincidences, and enough mistakes to jolt me out of the story (is Richard’s scar on his right or left ear? Who knows?!). I finished it, which is a feat, but I have no desire to go further into the series.
elliepeake's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlietuna92's review against another edition
5.0
This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. Follett has an amazing ability to create characters with so much depth that it is hard to believe they aren't real.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest is medieval history!
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest is medieval history!
jkonczak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
andreacpowers's review against another edition
I gave up about 1/3 of the way in. It's like a 70's TV soap opera. Telegraphs bad men, wicked characters. Foreshadowing fates. I was waiting for work to begin on the cathedral but it looked like it was going to take a while to get going.
nfm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ctirpak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Enjoyed this! Satisfying ending and plot was captivating the whole way through, always another twist.
zutsie's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for the first time when I was about 18. Decided recently I would like to revisit it. I’m glad I did. Might not have been as hooked on it as I was at 18, but I can’t deny I enjoyed the read. Some of it was predictable, but who cares? It’s difficult when describing this book, because it’s like 900 pages about the building of a cathedral. Yeah, sure, but it focuses so much on the people around the cathedral, and they make it worth the read.
There’s a lot of stuff that happens that’s just ridiculous (honestly, Tom and Ellen from the off??) and there are characters built for you to despise deeply (freaking William Hamleigh), and good characters that irk you (Tom is directly responsible for that dweeb of a son of his). Ultimately the book keeps you coming back - a mix of good and bad things happening and an edge of thrill that keeps you hooked. Sometimes the speech and scenes don’t necessarily depict medieval England, but I suppose this also serves the purpose of making it a relatively speedy read for such a long book, and not being bogged down in picking apart what’s being said.
You do get quite invested in the characters and their plights. I really liked Ellen - she knew who she was and would not make herself smaller for anyone, you go, lady! Anyway, all the characters interact with one another and the environment throughout, and you are with them. I liked that.
Still a good read after all these years.
There’s a lot of stuff that happens that’s just ridiculous (honestly, Tom and Ellen from the off??) and there are characters built for you to despise deeply (freaking William Hamleigh), and good characters that irk you (Tom is directly responsible for that dweeb of a son of his). Ultimately the book keeps you coming back - a mix of good and bad things happening and an edge of thrill that keeps you hooked. Sometimes the speech and scenes don’t necessarily depict medieval England, but I suppose this also serves the purpose of making it a relatively speedy read for such a long book, and not being bogged down in picking apart what’s being said.
You do get quite invested in the characters and their plights. I really liked Ellen - she knew who she was and would not make herself smaller for anyone, you go, lady! Anyway, all the characters interact with one another and the environment throughout, and you are with them. I liked that.
Still a good read after all these years.