Now that September comes to a close, I would like to hear what people thought of The Pillars of the Earth. Did you read it? Did you find it long winded? Or any other comments you want to make of this novel. Personally I had some difficulty reading this, and while I wouldn’t say I really enjoyed this book, I did find the approach a little childish at times.
Next month’s book we will be reading the psychological classic, The Bell Jar but Sylvia Plath. I’m sure this book will spark some interesting conversations but it may also cause fights. I hope everyone reading and discussing the novel manages this book without struggling. Also as a reminder that November we will be reading The Bone People by Keri Hulme as part of the Dysfunctional Families theme and we will be looking for a book to fit the Mystery theme to wrap up the year. If you’re not aware, the book discussion and everything else will be happening over on the Goodreads forums, so feel free to join in there.
During the month I’ve read some great books; some of the highlights from the month’s reading included Dexter’s Final Cut, London Falling, Player One and Skinner. But my favourite of the month is a book I’ve only just started but already obsessed with, If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. I’ve spent more time re-reading or reading aloud sections and writing quotes on Tumblr. If this wasn’t a library book I would have highlighted the entire book. It has just been a wonderful experience reading this book for the first time.
Monthly Reading
- Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore
- Dexter’s Final Cut by Jeff Lindsay
- Golden Parasol by Wendy Law-Yone
- Happy Hour in Hell by Tad Williams
- Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction
- London Falling by Paul Cornell
- Longbourn by Jo Baker
- My Notorious Life by Madame X by Kate Manning
- Player One: What Is to Become of Us by Douglas Coupland
- Skinner by Charlie Huston
- Snapper by Brian Kimberling
- The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
- The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
- The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín
I read it a couple years ago and here was my take then:
With the promise of so much potential to the story, in an era that needs treated better than just wizards and dragons, Pillars was ultimately a chunkster of a disappointment with trite writing, stilted plot lines, and weak characters.
He wasn’t the kind of writer he needed to be to pull this novel off