csegovia2005's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannaheliza0's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
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? No
4.0
kaulyjo's review
4.0
Book One of the Century Trilogy is good, but not great. It's got the feel of a sweeping epic, crossing multiple years, countries, and character's lives. I enjoyed it for that reason along with the fact that, even at almost 1,000 pages, it's a quick read.
All that said, there times where I wish it had focused more on the people than seemingly trying to sandwich in as much military history as possible during the war years. I also wish some of the dialogue between characters hadn't been so trite. Time period differences aside, people don't speak as some of these characters do, particularly in conversation with each other.
Substantive, but ultimately minor quibbles when all is said and done.
All that said, there times where I wish it had focused more on the people than seemingly trying to sandwich in as much military history as possible during the war years. I also wish some of the dialogue between characters hadn't been so trite. Time period differences aside, people don't speak as some of these characters do, particularly in conversation with each other.
Substantive, but ultimately minor quibbles when all is said and done.
canadiyank's review
4.0
I like large books, but it's always intimidating to start reading a book that begins with pages upon pages of "who's who" for characters. :) "The Germans," "The Russians," "The Welsh," "The Americans," and "The British," were actually pretty easy to follow, and I loved being drawn into their world and the drama of the early 20th century.
kitschykatey's review
3.0
I really love Ken Follet, but he really missed the mark with some of his female characters in this book. It was kind of a bummer. Rosa deserves better.
laurenpalmerx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
5.0
prestonpre's review
3.0
Ken Follett's writing can be slow at times and fast in others. This was obvious in The Pillars of the Earth. Some parts of the story held my attention very well, the traveling and the conversations were magnificent, but then we get to a spot where the action slows down- when we are introduced to the monasteries for instance, and I wish I could skip ahead but don't want to for need of information.
This while book is a monastery scene.
It is slow, it is rambling, there is too much information given all the time, very unneccesary information, and good characters are hidden under the ash of bleak settings and slow action.
I have not finished it, but I hope to eventually, and I hope it will not leave me with the taste of mining dust in my mouth.
*Edit*
The story does get better, but the fate of the characters is possibly the most disappointing thing in any Follett book I read. In PotE my heart was wrenched out of my chest and pressed against a solid stone grate when Tom was killed, I never had that experience in this book, and that is a very sad thing to me.
This while book is a monastery scene.
It is slow, it is rambling, there is too much information given all the time, very unneccesary information, and good characters are hidden under the ash of bleak settings and slow action.
I have not finished it, but I hope to eventually, and I hope it will not leave me with the taste of mining dust in my mouth.
*Edit*
The story does get better, but the fate of the characters is possibly the most disappointing thing in any Follett book I read. In PotE my heart was wrenched out of my chest and pressed against a solid stone grate when Tom was killed, I never had that experience in this book, and that is a very sad thing to me.
jenjen7824's review
5.0
I think this is my new favorite historical fiction. It was quite long, but so enjoyable. Fun to see the different perspectives of the same time period. Can’t wait to read the next volume!
sz_miry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
xxsaka's review against another edition
5.0
Ich muss ehrlich sagen, hätte ich das Buch nicht von meiner besten Freundin geschenkt bekommen, hätte ich es vielleicht niemals gelesen.
Und obwohl es so gar nicht mein Genre ist (und ich auch nicht so viel mit der Kriegstheorie anfangen konnte) hat es mir echt sehr gut gefallen! Politik ist wirklich nicht mein Spezialgebiet und trotzdem war es verständlich und ich hab viel gelernt.
Und das Ende war wirklich genial! Go Ethel!
Und obwohl es so gar nicht mein Genre ist (und ich auch nicht so viel mit der Kriegstheorie anfangen konnte) hat es mir echt sehr gut gefallen! Politik ist wirklich nicht mein Spezialgebiet und trotzdem war es verständlich und ich hab viel gelernt.
Und das Ende war wirklich genial! Go Ethel!