Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

137 reviews

natschis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is not a light read. I found the overall arc of the story to be compelling but felt that the author sometimes used gore or sex to try to keep things interesting at calmer plot points. A bit too graphic for me, but those not bothered by that would likely really enjoy it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder

directorpurry's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Antisemitism, and War

Minor: Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia

tamcy123's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

***This contains Slovene review (which is my native language) and English review of the book. Because I read the book in English, the English review is first, Slovene review is second.***

ENGLISH REVIEW:
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My initial reaction upon receiving this book as a gift from a friend was quite surprising, and I must say that I was not fully aware, of what I was embarking upon, when I commenced reading it. This literary work is characterized by an abundance of plot twists, which not only captivate the reader, but also stimulate thinking.

It is important to acknowledge, that the book does incorporate explicit themes of sexuality and violence, among others. Nevertheless, if one momentarily sets aside these elements, it becomes evident, that this is indeed a remarkable piece of literature.  I am sure, that this is not the last book by the author Ken Follett, that I read.

SLOVENE REVIEW:
Ocena: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moja začetna reakcija ob prejemu te knjige kot darilo od prijatelja je bila precej presenetljiva, in moram reči, da se nisem v celoti zavedala, v kaj sem se podala, ko sem to knjigo začela brati. Knjigo zaznamuje ogromno preobratov, ki ne le očarajo bralca, temveč bralcu tudi spodbujajo razmišljanje.

Pomembno je omeniti, da knjiga med drugim vsebuje tudi eksplicitne teme spolnosti in nasilja. Vendar če za trenutek postavimo te elemente knjige na stran, postane očitno, da gre za izjemno literarno delo. Prepričana sem, da to ni zadnja knjiga avtorja Kena Folletta, ki sem jo prebrala.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence

olwie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Violence

quotablenate's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence

claire_riach's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

nizzynizz's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War

alaskan_bull_worm's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Death and Violence

twonky's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It’s hard for me to imagine holding on to hatred as long as these characters do.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Classism

Moderate: Chronic illness, Blood, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Antisemitism, Pregnancy, and War

There’s a LOT of violence, bit it’s the Middle Ages.

julierambaeck's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

2.0

This was a 2 star for me, and I think that is entirely my fault for picking this book up. This is not a book for me, and I should've known that. I can see and appreciate that this is a masterpiece, just one I didn't enjoy reading. It was waaaay to violent and explicit. 
I am glad I have read it, but it felt like a chore to get through - it took me two months to get through!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and War