I have always listed Pillars of the Earth as one of my all time favorite novels. (The STARZ TV adaptation is pretty good too!!) I remember not being quite so bowled over by the second book, World Without End. Still, I was excited to read this third installment about Kingsbridge and the descendants of Tom the Builder.
It did not disappoint.
A long, sweeping novel that covers several decades at the end of the 1500's, this story follows Ned Willard into the first ever secret service for Queen Elizabeth I. He spies, he collects information, he thwarts, he travels, he loves, he loses. The scope is naturally much wider here as the world becomes larger and more accessible than in previous centuries, so the focus is less on the politics and people of Kingsbridge and more about the times - intrigue, family betrayal, the continued treatment of women as property (not by our forward thinking Ned, of course!!).
Told from varying points of view, we learn what both sides of this religiously divided time are scheming - and there is a lot of scheming! By Ned, by his enemies, by the several strong female characters who bravely fight for their beliefs in the face of execution if caught. The Protestants versus the Catholics; tolerance versus power; family versus family; Queen versus Queen. Everyone is convinced that their side is the side of God, in the right, this is the ONLY way, the other people are evil.....
Sounds familiar right? Some things never change.
Follett writes simply and does have some questionable phrasing for the times here. But it cannot detract from the way he weaves real historical figures into his stories and brings this long ago age to light and to life. Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read, and Follett is a master. I especially loved the Epilogue here - true fans will appreciate the nod to Pillars here - and there is the scent of yet a fourth opportunity to follow the lives and loves of the people of Kingsbridge into the next century and a new world.....stay tuned!!
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