Book Review #59

World Without End by Ken Follett

Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books so when I heard that there was a sequel I was ecstatic. World Without End takes place after the building of the Knightsbridge Cathedral that was begun in Pillars of the Earth. It's not necessary to have read Pillars of the Earth to understand what's going on in World Without End since it takes place in a new century with new characters.

The story of Knightsbridge revolves around four characters who witnessed a violent moment together as children. Follett takes us through the bulk of their lives and shows how they continue to be intertwined. We become part of the town of Knightsbridge as well as the priory in the town. I became a part of the book so much that I started using 1300s English diction in my day to day conversations. And I favored simpler food like apples, bread and cheese.

I maintain that the character Caris is possibly the greatest heroine in all of literature. She was even stronger than Dagny Taggart from Atlas Shrugged. I loved having the opportunity to see her whole life unfold. As a younger person it allowed me to see that while we have what seem like insurmountable setbacks, if we're patient, for even decades at a time, things can have a way of working out.

General consensus: I can't see writing getting any better than this.