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cosetteld's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tkhero's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-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
5.0
caffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There are a lot of characters to follow in this but you get a good sense of each one and how they work together as a whole. I liked that each of them were flawed yet somehow still I was moved by them, life is complicated even more so then where literally the wrong decision can mean the loss of your head. The cathedral climbs slowly and falteringly throughout with different factions and benefactors, towering over the machinations of man.
I really enjoyed it never wishing it shorter.
I really enjoyed it never wishing it shorter.
bethpaws's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Set in the C12 and C13 the book follows various members of the community of Hagenburg, linked together by their relationship to the cathedral which is being built. Their lives are told in a non-glamorised way and I particularly liked that that no-one was overly likeable and no-one was a one dimensional villan, which made them all realistic. Poverty, wealth, death, politics and religion feature heavily.
At times challenging to follow all the threads (especially as I am not familiar with pronouncing the names), but engaging and enjoyable.
At times challenging to follow all the threads (especially as I am not familiar with pronouncing the names), but engaging and enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Alcoholism
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
2.0
DNF a little way into Book Two (250-odd pages).
I really wanted to like this book. But it skipped about too much, and each new skip was often a quantum-leap type disorientating jump at the start, taking time due to the often-oblique writing style to find your feet, before skipping away at a point that often felt unsatisfying. Occasional chapters and characters were compelling, but were then left -- to be seen again? Unclear.
It also seemed quite uneven in tone, with some parts being jovial and a bit unrealistic, and other parts being hyper-dark and literary. All of which added to the lack of rhythm and any kind of way to feel I had a fingerhold in the book.
Overall, it just felt like a slog to this reader.
I really wanted to like this book. But it skipped about too much, and each new skip was often a quantum-leap type disorientating jump at the start, taking time due to the often-oblique writing style to find your feet, before skipping away at a point that often felt unsatisfying. Occasional chapters and characters were compelling, but were then left -- to be seen again? Unclear.
It also seemed quite uneven in tone, with some parts being jovial and a bit unrealistic, and other parts being hyper-dark and literary. All of which added to the lack of rhythm and any kind of way to feel I had a fingerhold in the book.
Overall, it just felt like a slog to this reader.
over60's review against another edition
4.0
This was a bit "long in the tooth." No skimming, I read the whole thing, and it was lyrically written. Still, I hoped for more about the Cathedral itself, around which the writer set up several stories. I appreciated the education, but I wished for more about the building itself.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
5.0
Most historical fiction focus on particular person(s) and incident(s), but this ensemble epic spanning multiple generations, takes things up to the next level, by subtly incorporating the difficult theme of "the divine invisible hand of God" through time, making this a riveting read.
The author's background of screenwriting, helps in making the prose very digestible for readers, though the underlying style and tone of "serial television writing" does seep in, and may not appeal as much with literature purists. A shout out of 4 ½ stars rating rounded up!
The author's background of screenwriting, helps in making the prose very digestible for readers, though the underlying style and tone of "serial television writing" does seep in, and may not appeal as much with literature purists. A shout out of 4 ½ stars rating rounded up!
mmenuit's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rogerjpatterson's review against another edition
4.0
This novel traded narrative power for the messiness of real life, and the bargain was not a good one. The characters were rich and realistic, the situations credible, and the stories a credible reflection of what life may well have been like in the 14th century, but in the end there was no story to center the narrative. The result was somewhat unsatisfying in the end.
On a second reading, the result is more satisfying. This takes some attention to mine its worth, but is worthwhile
On a second reading, the result is more satisfying. This takes some attention to mine its worth, but is worthwhile