A Review By Frances

For lovers of historical novels, this is a big and satisfying read.  Set in the twelfth century against the backdrop of the long civil war between Matilda and Stephen, the book follows the lives of Tom a builder whose ambition is to build a Cathedral, Philip, Prior of Kingsbridge, devout, clever and determined not to succumb to the corruption and greed for power he sees all around him, and William Hammleigh ambitious and ruthless. There are many more characters linked by blood, friendship or enmity to these at the centre of a story which covers a period of about fifty years.

The cathedral gets built with many of the innovations for which the twelfth Century was to become famous, such as tall, elegant arches, stained glass windows and flying buttresses.  The rise of the wool trade, development of market towns, corruption in the Church and at Court as well as details of masons ’skills are all here and it is no surprise to me that Ken Follett’s novel has become such a success.  I look forward to reading the next novel in the series, “World without End”