– Customer review on 06/04/2006

Ken Follett is usually noted for his espionage thrillers, of which "Eye of the Needle" is the most well-known.

This novel, however, represents a departure from Follett's norm, focussing rather on the construction of a cathedral in 12th century England.

There is a huge cast of characters, a warren of plotlines, sporadic bursts of violence, (some gratuitous sex) and extensive detail paid to historical accuracy and background. The novel spans forty years od political intrigue and social upheaval. Prior Phillip is a Man of God worthy of respect, and William of Hamliegh one of the most repugnant baddies I've ever come across (I hated him; right down there with Tim Roth's character in "Rob Roy")

A vast, sweeping novel that is justly part of Whitcoull's top 100...

– Customer review on 26/01/2008

This is one of my favourite books and I note with interest that there is now a sequel.

A huge, sweeping saga that details the amazing feat of building a monument to God in a time devoid of all the modern-day conveniences available. You shake your head at the enormity of the task, and marvel that so many of these churches remain standing today.

Follett captures this sense of wonder and creates a strong cast of characters to mirror the strength and timelessness of the building they are tied to.

– Customer review on 01/10/2009

This must be a very powerful book, because whenever my wife reads it I notice that she is crying. Im just glad that its not my fault.
I took off one star because the author had the bad taste to use a full page photo of himself in a turtle-neck skivvy for the back page.

– Customer review on 16/02/2009

Magnificant story telling, lots of suspence in a tale that reflects the eternal fight between good and evil and ends up with utter beauty.

Easy language used to describe complex situations and storyline is very well connected despite many events that happen at any one time.

The speed of events in most of the story is relatively slow; however in the final chapters things start rolling faster with less suspence.

I would strongly recommend it to all and I am currently reading its sequel "World Without End."

– Customer review on 09/02/2009

I read all the time and this is one of my very favorite reads as is the follow up. Do not miss this one.

– Customer review on 31/01/2009

OUTSTANDING. This book had me riveted from the moment I opened it to the very last word. Very well written, and very enthralling.

– Customer review on 19/01/2009

This was the first Ken Follet book I had read and I just loved it. My second hand hard cover version has a life-time place in my book case as it is a book I will read again. The descriptive detail regarding the building of the cathedral and the lives of the characters was fascinating. Even though it was a large read I still wanted more when I got to the end so I am really pleased to find out from other reviews here that there is a sequel. I shall definitely be tracking that down.

– Customer review on 05/01/2009

This my absolute favourite book - I've read it twice and know I will read it again. It is an absorbing storyof medieval Britain and the uncertainty that surrounds everyone's life from the ruler down to the lowest serf. Makes life in NZ seem luxurious in its freedom and individual rights.










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– Customer review on 04/01/2009

This is one of my favourite books and a great gift for any avid reader. A departure from Ken Follett's normal thriller style of book, Pillars of the Earth is a sweeping saga that will have you whipping through the pages. It's a thick book, close to 1000 pages but it left me still wishing for more (thankfully there's now a sequel).

– Customer review on 19/07/2008

have not fineshed the book yet but so far the author has kept up my interest. Reading when I go to bed thinking I'll just read a couple of pages but i find it's more like a couple of chapters. I like Ken Folletts style of writing and humour.