And unfortunately, the differences are usually unfavourable ones. As many other reviewers note, World Without End is far too similar to its predecessor. Wait, does this sound familiar? If so, then you've probably read The Pillars of the Earth. With the plague, I can see how it would become intolerable. Even without the plague, life in the 14th century was not easy. I also appreciate the look at strife between nobility and clergy, between clergy and city, and even among the various levels of clergy.

So much historical fiction is focused around the nobility or life at court that often peasant life gets overlooked. His obsession with architecture can be irksome, but it's also useful, for he furnishes us with rich descriptions of life in Kingsbridge and nearby villages. Although all of his characters can be sorted into 'protagonist' versus 'antagonist' camps, there is sufficient moral ambiguity that Follett can pit characters on the same side against each other.įollett seizes upon 14th century English society as the source of much of this conflict. World Without End sometimes reads like a book without end, but it's bearable, because Follett is constantly introducing new conflict. But let me start with something I can't fault: Ken Follett's ability to create conflict.Ĭonflict is the lifeblood of a story. The characters are diverse but flat the themes are of dubious worth the conclusion is far from satisfying. I have plenty of complaints about this book.

Halfway through World Without End, I gave this summary: 'sex and architecture in the English countryside, 1337.' This is not entirely accurate World Without End is not entirely composed of sex and architecture-just mostly.

A world without end book