World Without End by Ken Follett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of World Without End
Book Review: It's no wonder why Follett is so popular...
Summary: 2 Stars
When I came across Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" I was very intrigued to see a historical fiction receiving the praise it did and continually gaining such popularity over the years. It's a historical fiction after all--those aren't supposed to be popular! It struck me after reading this book--"World Without End" is emblematic of his works--as to why his historical fictions maintain such popularity. The reason is that they aren't historical fictions.
They certainly take place in historical settings and probably contain many elements of what happened during the time period he writes about (the High Medieval), but those historical elements are only there in order to dress up the elements that modern dramas thrive on (i.e. sex and violence). With so much lurid sex and sensational violence, it is no wonder why these books are so popular--they fit right in with the other popular books and tv shows and movies of the day--The Tudors is an example of another titillating historical that isn't historical. Who can resist the fascination? All the sex and violence we want and the facade of a significant history to validate it all!
The problem is not necessarily that sex and violence did not occur during the time period described. Indeed, it probably did take place to a great degree. But it is not a historical fiction if the sex and violence are the main elements in the story. A historical fiction must have as its overriding theme the ideas and mood of the past time. In the High Medieval period, the ideas and mood of the time was highly spiritual, devout, pious and decidedly nonsexual and nonviolent. You can't write about the period without fully believing in and bowing to the period's beliefs. Follett indulges his own beliefs.
Look at the art and poetry of the time period to gain a better idea of how it was like then, and read Monaco: A Novel for a good recently-written historical fiction the way it should be recited.
Book Review: Green Eyes Are Bad
Summary: 3 Stars
When a novelist resorts to a green-eyed heroine, I know I'm in for a pretty hackneyed novel -- it's the cheapest shortcut to "exotique." It only took a few pages for me to discover that I was right. On the good side, this saved me from reading hundreds of other stale, hackneyed, predictable pages.Book Review: Ridiculous!
Summary: 1 Stars
There was so much about this book that was implausible, one has to believe Follett was being paid by the word. So much dialogue and so little said! I was very disappointed since I have been a fan of Follett for many years, beginning with Eye of the Needle. Age has softened him I guess--even the rape scenes in WWE seemed like walks in the park and the victims got up and walked away with little or no physical damage! Follett should have talked to a couple rape victims before he wrote these passages. Descriptions of the Black Death have been done much better in other books. Could never recommend this as a good read--I was so bored I couldn't even finish it.Book Review: Continuation of an unusual subject. Way tooooo long.
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a Ken Follett fan. I enjoyed his previous book in this series entitled "Pillars of the Earth." One thing I really enjoy about this book is the descriptions of life in early England. A second is the unusual underlying theme-construction of early English cathedrals. It is obvious that the author has done a ton of research. The big disappointments are the multiple number of plots and the huge cast of characters that, at times, seems to number in the thousands. About mid-book, you realize you may need a guide or program to remember who they are and how they fit in the story.
It is a great book that suffers from too little editing; reducing the number of pages by 200-300 would improve it immensely.
Book Review: Never Again !
Summary: 1 Stars
After being disappointed with Pillars, I signed on to read World Without End for a book club. This recycled plot from Pillars goes on and on. The author has worn out his template. The language is full of anachronisms; the violence to women is totally unnecessary; and the cardboard characters are boring. I really don't think Follett knows his target audience. Is he appealing to lovers of historical fiction; bodice ripper romantics; contemporary women with sexual,career,family options; macho men; or voyeurs? He missed his mark with me. I will never read another Follett book ! There's too many other worthwhile books out there.