I read some time ago The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, and I really liked it. I love reading - almost anything - but I hardly ever found anything similar to that: very often books like that are written badly and they don't have such a broad view. Does anyone have a title to suggest me? Thanks and a Happy New Year!
2006-12-30 00:17:22 · 4 answers · asked by ilymic1979 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I have mixed feelings about "Pillars of the Earth". I thought it was a good story, but badly written.
Durbsk has hit upon a winner with the "Heaven Tree" trilogy by Edith Pargeter. They are fantastic, and some of the best writing you will ever read.
I would recommend others of Pargeter's stuff: "The Brothers of Gwynneth" quartet, "The Marriage of Megotta", "A Bloody Field Near Shrewsbury".
If you enjoy reading medieval historical fiction, then you should also read Sharon Penman: "When Christ and his Saints Slept", "Time and Chance", "Here be Dragons", "Falls the Shadow", "The Reckoning", and "The Sunne in Splendour". She's also written a series of medieval whodunnits, which are much superior to most historical mystery writing.
I could recommend loads more, but these are probably the best, and I would certainly suggest starting with Pargeter and Penman. They are *much* better than Follett!
2006-12-30 23:10:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I haven't read Pillars of Earth but have just looked at a synopsis and I must put it on my reading list. The site said Ken Follett is writing a sequel which was expected to be published this month.
I have read the trilogy durbsk recommends but so long ago I don't remember it. However I would point it out the Edith Pargeter is the real name of Ellis Peters the author of the Brother Cadfael series which is set in roughly the same time period as Pillars of Earth and is about how the monk solves various murders within the context of that period. Slightly mystical as times.
2006-12-30 07:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by felineroche 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Also loved that book.
I'm currently reading the first of an old trilogy by Edith Pargeter which reminds me of Pillars of the Earth and I think you'd also enjoy it. It's really well-written and the characters are developing nicely. The three titles are:
- The Heaven Tree
- The Green Branch
- The Scarlet Seed.
Happy reading!
2006-12-30 00:30:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just get some more Follett
2006-12-30 00:18:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋