The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah’s Book Club)

商家名称	信用等级	购买信息	订购本书
		The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah’s Book Club)
		The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah’s Book Club)

基本信息·出版社：NAL Trade
·页码：973 页
·出版日期：2007年11月
·ISBN：0451225244
·条形码：9780451225245
·装帧：平装
·正文语种：英语

内容简介 在线阅读本书

Ken Follett had long been a staple of the bestseller lists for his novels of intrigue and espionage. Then came The Pillars of the Earth, a grand novel of epic storytelling that readers and critics quickly hailed as his crowning achievement. Now, The Pillars of the Earth is available for the first time to a new audience of readers, in this attractive new trade paperback edition.

In 12th-century England, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral signals the dawn of a new age. This majestic creation will bond clergy and kings, knights and peasants together in a story of toil, faith, ambition and rivalry. A sweeping tale of the turbulent middle ages, The Pillars of the Earth is a masterpiece from one of the world's most popular authors.

"A novel of majesty and power...Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." --Chicago Sun-Times

"A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." --New York Daily News

"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." --Cosmopolitan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
作者简介 Ken Follett is the international bestselling author of suspense thrillers and the nonfiction title On Wings of Eagles. He lives in England. Visit his official website at: ken-follett.com.
编辑推荐 From Publishers Weekly
With this book, Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner, escaping the narrow genre of suspense thrillers to take credit for a historical novel of gripping readability, authentic atmosphere and detail and memorable characterization. Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through four decades during which social and political upheaval and the internal politics of the church affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists. The insightful portrayals of an idealistic master builder, a pious, dogmatic but compassionate prior and an unscrupulous, ruthless bishop are balanced by those of a trio of independent, resourceful women (one of them quite loathesome) who can stand on their own as memorable characters in any genre. Beginning with a mystery that casts its shadow on ensuing events, the narrative is a seesaw of tension in which circumstances change with shocking but true-to-life unpredictability. Follett's impeccable pacing builds suspense in a balanced narrative that offers action, intrigue, violence and passion as well as the step-by-step description of an edifice rising in slow stages, its progress tied to the vicissitudes of fortune and the permutations of evolving architectural style. Follett's depiction of the precarious balance of power between monarchy and religion in the Middle Ages, and of the effects of social upheavals and the forces of nature (storms, famines) on political events; his ability to convey the fine points of architecture so that the cathedral becomes clearly visualized in the reader's mind; and above all, his portrayals of the enduring human emotions of ambition, greed, bravery, dedication, revenge and love, result in a highly engrossing narrative. Manipulating a complex plot in which the characters interact against a broad canvas of medieval life, Follett has written a novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale. 400,000 first printing; $400,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild main dual selection; author tour.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.



专业书评 From Publishers Weekly
Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through 40 years of social and political upheaval as internal church politics affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists. "Follett has written a novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale," judged PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal
A radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue, this chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during the tumultuous 12th century, when the empress Maud and Stephen are fighting for the crown of England after the death of Henry I. The plot is less tightly controlled than those in Follett's contemporary works, and despite the wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction, much of the language as well as the psychology of the characters and their relationships remains firmly rooted in the 20th century. This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction. Literary Guild dual main selection.
- Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
Arguably the best work of an author known for spy thrillers, this is historical fiction at its finest. The hope and despair of several people are tightly woven with the enormous task of cathedral construction in medieval England. Narrator John Lee adds vigor to Follett's descriptions of otherwise mundane matters: the graceful arch of a gothic spire, the innovation of using a mill wheel's power to felt wool. Follett's poignant characters blossom with Lee's reading. Lee reveals level-headed Prior Phillip's rare moments of pride as the church construction flourishes, and his anguish in the face of stolen funding. Phillip's nemesis, an ambitious nobleman, is cunning, and his lack of self-confidence is clear in Lee's capable reading. After 41 hours of listening, readers will yearn for more. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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