Random House Books for Young Readers World Without End

I have now read five of Ken Follett’s books; the thing that strikes me most about them, apart from their ridiculous length, is how similar they all are. I say this not just about those within a series, or trilogy, but there are resemblances beyond that – between books of the quite different eras. They just seem to be following the same template with a mix of predictable heroes and villains with similar characteristics and getting up to the same old things. This seems to me to be not just from book to book but also within each book. Not just scenarios repeat, but key phrases and words crop up time and time again. If I read that he drank "thirstily" one more time I think I shall go mad! The alternative was he drank deeply! This kind of trivia starts to grate after a time.World Without End is outrageously long. I really don’t think it needed to be this long. After about 800 pages it started to become tedious for me and I was longing to have it finished. True, the story rattles along and it is very easy reading. They’ll be no prizes for excellence in the writing, but there’s no doubting Mr Follett’s fertile imagination and the ability to make you keep turning the page, albeit that themes continually repeat. The length of the book also presents practical issues. It really is too big to handle. I hate the whole notion of a Kindle. I loath reading on a screen and anyway I like the physical presence of a book – something tangible, something to keep on my shelf, and not bytes in the ether. But this book, indeed most of Follett’s works, provide the only valid argument for a Kindle that I can think of.A good read and I have the final book in the Kingsbridge series ready on my shelf to read. But it will a while before I tackle it. You need a break for this kind of stuff. The Eastenders of the middle ages.

I was longing to read this after Pillars was so so good, I was left disappointed sadly. The characters acted out of character for me. Caris taking her vows would never have then allowed her to have sex with Merthyn and he would not have gone Bessie either. The other sex scenes were rather silly too as if there was an assumption that all people that lived during this time lived just to .... (you know where I am going) and that all were thick and didnt know any better. There is an implication that all monks are corrupt regardless.I didnt like the language that the author used at times, I felt it was unnecessary. I think that in trying to conjure up the history line he does well but it's often let down by excessive use of language. I've lost the will to actually finish reading the book but will plough on til the end. Best thing about it are the characters. The worst thing is how they react inappropriately to situations that befall them. Follett can do so much more than this.

I really cannot make my mind up, but I eventually sided on enjoyment rather than historical accuracy......its not 3 stars, but not four stars either!On the one hand, I enjoyed the book; found it fairly compulsive reading, but every so often thought to myself "that would not have happened then". As with  Pillars of the Earth  World Without End represents the story of Monks, Earls, Lords, peasants, and general townsfolk in the plotting of one another's' downfalls and successes and is very readable, if not a little predictable at times (especially if you have taken the time to read the aforementioned prequel - and hence my sense of deja-vu). However, would nuns and monks essentially inhabit the same building? Would two young sisters, cunningly disguised as men travel to France to seek an audience with the Bishop during a war, and during this time attend to wounded French soldiers, all the time not giving away the fact that they are both English and Female? Finally, would women during this period behave in either as openly sexual way as both Gwenda and Caris do during the course of the book, or play such an important role in the development/politics of a town (Caris as potential alderman)?In addition, whilst I appreciate people plot their revenge over a period of time, it does feel from time to time that various character assassinations, by other characters is rather repetitive (particularly the plot by the monks against Caris - I will not say any more in case you are going to read it).Take away the historical inaccuracies and read the book as a modern soap opera, which just happens to be set in the middle ages and its enjoyable despite its length (and for a 1200+ page book to not feel this long means something must be right with it). Pillars of the Earth

Like 'Pillars of the Earth', and despite its great length, I really enjoyed this read, for what it was. As in the best modern TV soaps, chapters are many and short and leave the reader hanging for the next. Just right if your reading is confined to 10 minutes before turning in each night. The storyline is gripping, with the odd bit of gratuitous sex thrown in for any who might need it. Characters are mostly one-dimensional - little light and shade - there are the heroes (and in this book, the heroine) whom you are required to love, as well as the bad boys (and girls) who can safely be assigned to the stocks. The historical research seems thorough (with no doubt some deliberate deviations for dramatic effect). Writing style is straightforward and rather flat - Ken Follett certainly refrains from poetry - hardly a metaphor or simile, direct or implied, in sight. And presumably, making mediaeval characters think and speak in 21st century mode, is deliberate. Those who enjoy this kind of book, might be tempted to look at Andrew Rutherfurd's offerings. (Sarum for example) - similar content but a much more demanding writing style.

I ordered this, selecting the hardback 'library edition', thinking it would be a normal hardback with perhaps a more hard-wearing cover for frequent use in libraries. In fact, I asked a librarian acquaintance (now retired) about this edition, and her thoughts were the same as mine. Wrong! When it came, it is rather odd format. It is hard covered, very small, with small print and with too much text per page. Given it is over a thousand pages, it is like a small brick. I will be buying a 'proper' format toute suite and consigning this one to the charity shop.