Written by: Ken Follett
Submitted By: Andrew Moore
An historical novel set amidst the turmoil of the Stephen/Maude civil war in 12th Century England. "The Pillars of the Earth" tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known; of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul; of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame; and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother. A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett's historical masterpiece. 'Enormous and brilliant ...this mammoth tale seems to touch all human emotion - love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair.'
It's getting a bit old now but I only recently came across this novel and was captivated by its characters and sheer magnitude of 40 years of turmoil following just a few main characters. If you'rE here, You love Bernard Cornwell novels so I'm sure you'll love this.
