Good, but could have been better with less violence and sex
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I totally agree with Rachel"Book Junkie" regarding too much sexual & violent contents. I had to skim through those parts. Still, the story line is as good as Pillars of the Earth, and I'd recommend it to any mature reader.
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Excellent Twelfth century novel
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Most historical novels of this period are about the battles between the Norman overlords. This one is about the normal people living under the Norman occupation. I hope it is continued in another book.
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No where near as good as Pillars
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I am not a Ken Follett fan at all. I don't like his style of writing, his affinity for violence etc. But when I read Pillars of the Earth I was stunned. It was a book I couldn't put down. And it's a book I will read again because it's so beautiful, so human.
On the other hand, I hated World Without End. It's got interesting characters and they are just as human as in Pillars. But Follett reverts back to type in this book and it's just violence followed by sex scene followed by violence--with a bit of a story thrown in. Because all I really wanted to read more about was Merthin & Caris. And Merthin's inventions (which you don't read about, really), and more about the central characters of the story. But instead Follett throws in a gruesome description of a flaying, that I could have done without, or a witch hunt.
I don't recommend this book at all. If it were re-edited with just the STORY without the murder and violence and sex and rape, I might consider it.
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Words Without End
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Too long, repetitive, same plot as Pillars. Wouldn't have started had I realized it would be such an endless rant against the medieval nobility and church. Almost quit reading at the point she became a nun, but did finish the rest. Very disappointing sequel to the great book Pillars of Earth.
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dross
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Having read and enjoyed Pillars of the Earth when it first came out, I rather looked forward to reading it's follow-up, World Without End. Obviously I was 18 years younger when I enjoyed Pillars of the Earth, and I expect more from a book now. World Without End might be called Book Without End. The characters are flat, the plot is predictable to the point its irritating, and I finally gave up on page 843 because there couldn't possibly have been a satisfactory ending to make all that plodding worthwhile. There are many thoroughly enjoyable books out there, but this isn't one of them. Do yourself a favour, save your money and buy something else.
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