Rape scenes in Pillars of the Earth

I remember being very scared reading that. I was going to have to put the book down if the cat got it. Untill recently I had a dog and still have a cat and all I could do was think of her in that castle getting stoned. Funny but I felt more sorry for the cat than I did for the people who were hurt. I guess it's because animals are more defenseless.

in response to drwolseley (that in response to mertyworld): Your paragraph here is so clear and succint in the way I wish I would/could have said what you did. I have pondered the graphic descriptions of violence in POTE, and I have come to understand that 'experiencing' these events from an evil man's point of view is valuable to me in today's world: the more things change the more they stay the same. I, too, wondered how the deep emotional reactions to fictional events could be so strong. That is the power of the book throughout. I do understand that some of the characters are portrayed, at least sometimes, in 20th Century sensibilities, but the underlying facts of medieval mentalities are pervasive. The book is all the more powerful and valuable for this. And I am looking for more such literature that would go even deeper and truer. When we look at some of the paintings of the period, we also uncover 'surprising.' behaviors.

Was turned off myself, I started reading word for word and was mesmerized, but when it started to get so brutal I cannot take it in. Cannot even enjoy the supposedly tender moments to compensate for the violent ones. It is different for every person. Glad that I am still me, an individual and do not have to agree with a recommended book. Ended up halfway scheming through pages to find out first and foremost how W Hamleigh will die, hoping he was mutilated, all joints. I am such a sponge, suddenly I have these added vocabulary in my thoughts that I hope I can extinguish soon. It is kind of fascinating to be blindsided, tripped off, jolted and always on guard on what will happen next and worst the "what the hell" and "don't even go there" reactions. Wondered about Martha and hoping there was a line or two about a reconcialiation with Jonathan.

Was turned off myself, I started reading word for word and was mesmerized, but when it started to get so brutal I cannot take it in. Cannot even enjoy the supposedly tender moments to compensate for the violent ones. It is different for every person. Glad that I am still me, an individual and do not have to agree with a recommended book. Ended up halfway scheming through pages to find out first and foremost how W Hamleigh will die, hoping he was mutilated, all joints. I am such a sponge, suddenly I have these added vocabulary in my thoughts that I hope I can extinguish soon. It is kind of fascinating to be blindsided, tripped off, jolted and always on guard on what will happen next and worst the "what the hell" and "don't even go there" reactions. Wondered about Martha and hoping there was a line or two about a reconcialiation with Jonathan.

I did not find it graphic or offensive. Physical and mental descriptions are necessary to the development of the plot between Aleina and William and gives her extra reason to hate him.

Well, needless to say, the graphic rape scene in the novel made you feel repulsed. Great, it was a rape scene. It was supposed to be "rape". When I think about a woman's breast, my breast, I think about how I nurse(d) my children. Yes, it had to be graphic for someone who has never experienced rape to visualize. He did what as an author he was supposed to do, what a director of a movie does, he makes you feel what he is "showing" you. Peace and explosions. Sitrus Star

I had a similiar reaction to the rape scenes. At one point I put the book down and wondered if I should even continue. After a couple of days, I went back and finished the book. I really liked the ending. Some authors purposely put a little bit of everything in a book. Shakespeare mixed philosophical questions and tragedy with bawdy and comic scenes as a way to break up the mood. Perhaps these earthy scenes are supposed to a contrast to the spiritual themes dealt with by Prior Phillip.

But I wonder if some of these sex scenes are gratuitous feeding of the libido of the book buying public. The public gets a quick and perhaps titillating look inside someones underwear and then goes right back to reading about how a cathedral is constructed.

In The Eye of the Needle, it did not seem necessary to me the the female ended up having sex with the German spy. I would have enjoyed the book just as much if she hadn't.

The mere fact that we as readers feel upset, means that we have already be caught in the web of the plot. If we didn't care about the characters, we wouldn't care what happened. If we didn't get upset about what William did, then we'd be just like William. And the rape scenes do play into the theme of the "growth of civilization" away from living like opportunistic animals where only the strong survive towards protection of the rights of all.

What really bothers me, however, is how did Jack come to live so comfortably with himself after burning down a church? As an arsonist, he seems to have no remorse. I don't think I could live with myself, if I had done such a thing. It seems that he is the one character who never gets exposed regarding the truth of his past deeds.

I have to agree. I got to certain parts and thought I was done too! I kept going though, and now I'm on page 822 I think. Its worth staying with, but over-the-top sex and violence for sure. And I too thought it was odd that the burning of the church never amounted to much. Even Tom pretty well shrugged it off. I can't say this will end up being my favorite book, but I am glad I've read it.

I agree whole heartedly! You have a way with words yourself that is quite compelling.

Sequel??? this means there is like a part two...more of the story...?
what is it called?

i love this book...i am almost to page 700........

i would comment on your discussion but i cant say anything bad about it...
except for the william and the cat...i actually skipped that page ...

The sequel is World without End.

As a writer and an English teacher, I can say without reservation that the rape and sexual scenes are over the top and gratuitous. It seems to me that these are the foundations (pillars) of the book and not the building of cathedrals and the political struggles of the time. OK, I KNOW that this time in history was very crude and women were demeaned and considered chattel. BUT Follett could have focused the book with a different trajectory and still have included SOME of the disgusting parts of life back then. He is a skilled writer and could have bowed less to the baser instincts and behaviors. He could really have made a fine book here and he did not. And considering Oprah's personal history, I am surprised she is so over the moon about this book with its degradation of women. Yes, the woman character did triumph. I guess that is what attracted Oprah to this. BUT...Follett missed the mark here.

Just my two cents.

Carol B

As a "mom" of two black cats I skipped the cat part. But the sexual scenes didn't bother me at all.

I feel the rape scenes while graphic, capture the brutality of the time frame in which the book was set. An excellent author will make you love and hate their characters as well as make you believe in the story. This is what Ken Follett does with Pillars. He leads you into the world of Mid-evil England. He walks you through the streets, you can see and feel the people around you in the towns. You long for Tom Builder to find a job in the beginning of the book. I laughed at young Jack, I was just as mystified at who Ellen was as the townspeople were and loved her for being furiously outspoken. I loathed William and Waleran Bigod. I pictured William's mother to look similar to the Witch giving Snow White the poisoned apple. I looked up to Phillip's leadership. Alfred annoyed me so bad I wanted to slap since into him, because he could never be as great of a man as Tom Builder was. I felt all of the character's emotions as the time went by.

This is a beautifully written masterpiece. I am always mystified on how people can take one "bad" point in a book and trash the whole story. Skip the unpleasant parts if you must. There's plenty of other story lines to follow.

Bravo Mr. Follett! Thank you Oprah!

Well said JW1977!