World Without End

The fact that I managed to read this to the end within a week is a testament to its ability to hold one's attention. That said, it was a little disappointing when compared with its prequel Pillars. Unfortunately, I felt that you could probably just change the names, dates and a few other details and you would ostensibly have the same book. This is probably being unfair to the author, since he...more

The fact that I managed to read this to the end within a week is a testament to its ability to hold one's attention. That said, it was a little disappointing when compared with its prequel Pillars. Unfortunately, I felt that you could probably just change the names, dates and a few other details and you would ostensibly have the same book. This is probably being unfair to the author, since he undoubtedly did huge amounts of research and offers some new insights into the customs, industrial processes and societal details of the times. If you haven't read Pillars, I would recommend it over World Without End. Still, this is an excellent read...   hide

This is one of the most amazing books that I have ever read. Give or take a little long for my taste. I read this in 8th grade, last year, a little after I read Pillars of the Earth. It took me about a week. It's such an easy read. Follet's deatil and history are deadly accurate and amazing. It stunned me and left me breathless every page I turned. With everything that happened there was...more

This is one of the most amazing books that I have ever read. Give or take a little long for my taste. I read this in 8th grade, last year, a little after I read Pillars of the Earth. It took me about a week. It's such an easy read. Follet's deatil and history are deadly accurate and amazing. It stunned me and left me breathless every page I turned. With everything that happened there was always a deadly twist. I would reccomend it to everyone.   hide

AMAZING! Worth the hugeness of it, even though I listened to it on CD in my car.

A great (but not quick!) summer read. We return to Kingsborough, but this time in the 1300s. The cathedral is long finished, but there is more construction to be done, priors to battle with, and witches to accuse. The only thing I could have done without is the flaying alive, but hey, it was the Middle Ages.

Although many would argue that Pillars would be the better one of the two, I liked World Without End much better. The sequel had stronger and more memorable characters even if they were just merely a refined, improved adaption to Pillar's Aliena and Jack. Pillars was also dragged on by the extensive explanations of buildings and construction, whereas the sequel enhanced it by explaining the...more

Although many would argue that Pillars would be the better one of the two, I liked World Without End much better. The sequel had stronger and more memorable characters even if they were just merely a refined, improved adaption to Pillar's Aliena and Jack. Pillars was also dragged on by the extensive explanations of buildings and construction, whereas the sequel enhanced it by explaining the logic behind the theories, thus, making it a much easier read. Moreover, World left out all the excruciating and graphic details of countless rapes that Pillars had. This sequel was totally captivating from start to end and I enjoyed it much better.   hide

This was a great follow up to Pillars of the Earth. It was placed far enough ahead in the future that reader had background knowledge the character didn't. The description of the plague, the religious customs and interpersonal politics of the time were brilliant. Again, I fell in love with the characters. Follet is a genius when working with historical fiction. Overall: Intriguing

Enjoyable, but like Pillars of the Earth I found it about 300 pages too long, by that point in the book I was starting to get a little irritated because the characters and their situations were becoming too predictable, felt like the writer kept rehashing the same things over and over. I was surprised at how many sex scenes there were, too... which is fine, but not what I was expecting. It felt...more

Enjoyable, but like Pillars of the Earth I found it about 300 pages too long, by that point in the book I was starting to get a little irritated because the characters and their situations were becoming too predictable, felt like the writer kept rehashing the same things over and over. I was surprised at how many sex scenes there were, too... which is fine, but not what I was expecting. It felt like Erotica with a little history andd architecture thrown on top! However it was enjoyable enough that I plowed through it in 2 weeks!   hide

A fantastic follow-up to Pillars of The Earth. The fuedal system, middle ages churches brutality, war, Black Death - all rolled out over the course of this work. A great read - has you cheering at times, and i one page - have you angry! Much of the events are historical, Follett is well researched. Highly recommended!!

Finely tuned display of how humans think; how they plot and scheme, and how the whims of fate can change a life that seems completely planned and organized. And all of this in a magnificent medieval setting with court intrigue, pious devotion, illness and how the whims or 'ways of nature will test every nerve.'