Hack? Really? I have to disagree, as I find this book a true treasure. Even 9 months pregnant and w/a toddler at home I finished this book in just a few weeks because I couldn't put it down. I don't understand why people put down the merit of this book based on things like the rape and violence. I think to tell a story set in the middle ages and leave those things out would be absurd. Just like leaving out how the ate, lived, dressed etc. In my opinion any way.

bookgal, I so agree with you, this is simply the worst book I have ever read. I do read a lot of medieval fiction and these are my top favorites,

Katherine by Anya Seton

When Christ and his Saints Slept, Time and Chance and Devil's Brood (not yet published) by Sharon Kay Penman -- these cover the same time period as POTE.

Here be Dragons, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning also by Sharon Kay Penman. Starts at the reign of the always evil King John as he marries his illegitimate daughter to Lwyellan (sp?) Fahr of Wales. The trilogy ends in the story of Lwyellan's grandson, same name as he battles Edward I for independence. NOT TO BE MISSED. Penman's strengths are in making even the most difficult policical situation make sense to a uninformed reader.

I also highly recommend UK author Elizabeth Chadwick (there is a US author who write romances, so shop carefully). Her books are getting hard to find in the US but there is a firm in the UK that ships for free. I don't know if I can mention bookseller names here -- but if you stumble over to the historical fiction discussions at Amazon someone will help you. Shadows and Strongholds, The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion and A Place Beyond Courage (this one also deals with the civil war). Chadwick has an awesome way of bringing the medieval period to life like none other I've found.

Thanks for the suggestions, Misfit - I will check on the books that you've recommended. It also gives me some satisfaction to know that I'm not the only one that disliked Pillars of the Earth.

Looks like The New Earth is the book for you if you didn't like Ken Follett's book. I don't understand why someone would read it if they didn't like it? I give up after page 50 if it doesn't grab me. We had many a interesting discussions back in November and December in regard to the book, those love or hate it posters.

Hope you find an author who sweeps you away!

Although I found this book very entertaining to read, I feel that Anya Seaton wrote much better books about the Early English History in story form. Follett really missed the boat by not doing more research in how real life was lead during that time. He needs to research history a lot more.

Personally for me, the reason that I did not love this book, is because of the violence.

I enjoyed reading "The Pillars of the Earth", but it did smack of the sensational ,cheap novels ( I have never read those BTW,just judging by the dramatic covers of women being ravished) in which men overpower women. I learned a lot about the Middle Ages from the book, although I did know quite a bit already. The book presented a visual panorama of life in the middle ages, everyday life, political and how religion played a huge part. I love cathedral architecture, and his description of the process, both political ,physical, and religious involvement was fascinating. I also think he captured the religious mindset of the hierarchy of the times very well.
I did not like or enjoy the graphic brutality of the rapes, torture, and killings. The animal torture scenes, I didn't even read ,but skipped over. They were too painful for me to read as an animal lovert . I know they happened then, but I don't want to read about them.
I read the book in 32 days- a weekend. I did very little but read. Being a single , divorced mom of a 20 something, I allowed myself the luxury. That was wonderful.
I understand that there is a sequel, :"World without end". I may read that. But not right now.
As for this being an incredible book, I would probably rate it 3 out of 5. I have read better...
I wonder why Oprah selected this book. Does she actually read the books she selects, or is there a process she goes through?? I have read other Oprah selections and thought the same.Why?

mcardle, "The book presented a visual panorama of life in the middle ages, everyday life, political and how religion played a huge part." Sorry, but I have to disagree with you there. I've read a lot of historical fiction based in the medieval period (Penman, Chadwick, Hollick, Anand to name a few) and Follett is so off base with how he writes the medieval mindset and lifestyle it's laughable. These are 20th C cookie cutter characters thrown into another century, and literally the worst book I have ever read.

Excuse me, I thought it was wonderful. Every two or three pages it was moving on to another set of characters or moving on so to me there weren't any lulls. I think you need to realize it wasn't set in the 21st Century. Everyone has an opinion and even though you didn't enjoy the book their our many of us that thought it was wonderful. Pick a more up to the moment book next time and maybe you will approve.

Are you kidding me? This book was fantastic and the sequel "World Without End" was great, too. If you didn't like it, the problem is probably with the genre of the book. Maybe you'll like "A New Earth" better. I actually read "Pillars" eight years ago and have been waiting for the sequel for years!

I must have missed something. I read this book a very long time ago and the message of "Never...ever...ever...ever...give up has inspired me on a personal level many times.
I like Follett. Most of his books have entertained me and kept me reading with avid interest.
You know, sometimes it depends on my life circumstances at the time I pick up a novel to read. I have gone back over the years and wondered why I liked or di-liked a book in the first place upon re-reading. I must admit that I have never read anything where I did not come away with increased knowledge of "something".
Self educated (me)... books gave me a window from a very narrow and cruel up-bringing. They enabled me to raise two wonderful adults who went on the get good educations and become productive and happy people and parents, themselves. I owe my very life to books.
This is awesome to be able to discuss and exchange opinions with people who do not know you and are not trying to make you "feel good" by nodding in agreement. This happens a lot at a book ...gathering...club I participate in monthly.

Oh...sometimes you run into folks who just like to argue about ANYTHING...but for the most part I enjoy the honesty of you people. I thank you !
Have signed up for the Eckhart Tolle "class". Over the years I have studied religions from all ages and areas. I find the spiritual connection prevails and compliments my way of thinking. From the ancient Druids...to the mysteries of the Bible...I have learned much and it helped me define just "what I believe".
Once again; Thank you Oprah and all of you for a forum that brings to me a source of joy and learning. Char1031

Wow. I just recently joined the Oprah book club. I'm almost at a lost for words here. Yes, I've read Pillars of the earth. I loved the book. I even understood it. I know the details of the book. (in contrast I don't/didn't still can't understand Alice in wonderland). It only took me a few days to read it. I actually got upset when there were other things going on that interrupted my literally eating and devouring the words. There are so many similarities, parallels in the book to life. Not just medieval times. Relevant to what is going on in the world right now. Our beliefs. Our unbelief's. Being ostracized and/or accepted. Having ones own opinion. A desire, a dream, a goal. Tom Builder did fulfill his dreams. It wasn't meant to happen in his lifetime. But by his son, step, adopted, found, raised, by him, his dream was fulfilled. Completed. Rome wasn't built in a day, lifetime, whatever. The big picture is that, you have to follow your dreams, to the death, or life in some cases. Some people don't feel alive until they do the one thing they've been told is taboo. Dare to dream, to believe, to be, to live. Years ago, no one could have ever even imagined being the president of the United States. There was no United States to be president of. And then, who would've thunk (Sorry Mrs. Farr) the Patriots could go undefeated for an entire season. Oh, wait. That didn't happen. Yet. It puts me in the mind of the recent rally of the Jacksonville Jaguar fans. During the regular season, you couldn't even watch televised games because of the blackouts. Meaning, they didn't sell enough tickets to pay for the sponsors to show it on television. At the time, I think it was still Alltel Stadium, (that's another story), I digress, once the team made it to the playoffs, it was rally around the team, team spirit this (black and teal), that (Duuuu-Val) and the other (go Jags!!). The stadium was filled in record numbers to capacity. The team wasn't even there. Fans came out in record numbers to cheer for the team in another state. Go figure. They believed in their team. In their ability to beat the unbeatable, to impregnate the unimpregnable, to move the unmovable. No, it wasn't their belief that changed. It was that they were afraid no more to act out on that belief. It wasn't "taboo" to be a Jag fan. Many people only hoped, never truly had faith, blind faith, it could be done until they did it, or almost did it. No, they showed up and showed their faith and cheered for the home team. For their team. To cheer against the opponent, as one voice, on one accord. Maybe not very, well, harmoniously, however, everyone hit a note. As a team we won, we did the unthinkable, thinking they'd never make it this far. Now, here we are again, fans, fanatics, republicans, democratic's, waiting around to see, to dare to think the unthinkable. "My team, the "American" "patriotic" fans, I mean voters, surely a woman, who less than 100 years ago couldn't even cast a vote, can be president, or black man, you scoff, we as a team have been marching around that wall of Jericho since what, 1865. So, why not do what we do, as Tom Builder did. Dare to live in fear of, in essence, the unknown. You do that by dying or living past the point that you thought "this surely could not be/happen". I say as a team, we build the dream, you know the one Tom didn't finish quickly enough for some of the readers. Let's vote, or not vote, for whatever reason. Do something to make your world a better place. Not just for yourself. Maybe on election day, we should all where the same color, or the same colors, or not do something, like by gas, or just not by gas that day, or not spend any money at all on that day. Blasphemy, I know, blame it on the Dixie Chicks, they started it when it was unpatriotic to not be patriotic. Now look at what speaking out has done. They were not afraid to say, "Hey, the Emporer is not wearing any clothes." So, how will you Build your dream, will it be by tearing down that of another's? One man's trash is another man's treasure. Who knows? Who even cares. The point is do something. Just do it. Or don't. It's your choice. Choose. Or don't either way. Be. Peace and explosions.

I enjoyed reading this book - very understandable and entertaining - but it certainly wasn't one of those books that touched me deeply in any way and gave me pause or insight.

I too agree this is one of the worst books I ever read. I do not enjoy books that throw around the "c" work - one of the words degrading to women.

I found many typos - and contradictions - there was trouble getting rid of the wool because there was too much - but a couple of pages later - "we can always sell our wool."

The worst part of the book - the use of the phrase

"Things were looking up."

I do not think it was a phrase of the time - it was very out of place.

Think this one was a loser from the get go.

I'm so glad I saw your message. Everytime I get one of Oprah's recommended books, I always regret having spent the money. But I'm always eager...maybe this time. Maybe this time I'll be fascinated too, like all those other people.

I tried to read this book, and couldn't get far. It was too boring. I can't relate to any of it. I have no interest in hearing about grand cathedrals, even though I love to be in them.

I still feel a little traumatized after reading The Road. It was o.k. but I wish I had not read it.

Middlesex was horrible. It left me feeling somewhat disturbed, also.

There was one book, a long time ago. I think it was House built on Sand. I enjoyed that story.

I'm ready to jump into A New Earth, because I want to be a part of the group and the online class. But I'm not sure if I can stand to be disappointed one more time.