Great for long journeys

I have read Pillars and thought why not, I spend a lot of time driving and Pillars was enjoyable. Ken certainly knows how to tell a great tale and cleverly turns every day events from the past into a fascinating tale of both ordinary and not so people into a great story. The bits that annoyed were often around how he seems to translate the thoughts and ideas and words of the 21st century mind and presented them as if they would have been the usual beliefs for people who lived in medieval times. along with this the first four parts had numerous graphic sexual scenes, I thought much of them over dominated the story and unessacary. It was intersting that as the book progressed the detail of such incidents became less dominant but the story remained completely in tact. My other concern is how Ken's characters always seem to have siblings who are so different from them that it is difficult to understand how so many characters can be related to such heinus brothers or sisters, that did t times become far fetched. Apart from these issues that at times really iritated me I completely enjoyed the book, it was not easy to work out what would happen next so many surprises awaited. I learned much from the detail around the everyday life of the era. I wonder if another saga of Kingsbridge is about to be released.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

More of the same...

What made the experience of listening to World Without End the most enjoyable?

John Lee reprises his role from the first book effortlessly to deliver another fantastic performance. The voices are distinct, the narration relaxing and the French accents believable. No complaints here!

The religious themes that got a little tiring in the first book are played down and the political themes played up this time round, with a greater emphasis on political intrigue and scandal.

Characters are likeable, and usually somewhat grey.

Kingsbridge and the surrounding area feels more real and fleshed out than in Pillars.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

French accents.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. As addictive as it is, this is a book to take in smaller chunks.

Any additional comments?

If you are interested in this audiobook you have presumably already read the the first book and are familiar with Follett's loose narrative style. This time around the story is even less focused, and a central plot largely non-existant. This is by no means a bad thing, but the lack of direction may frustrate some.

Thematically the book isn't as dark as the first, and the lives of its characters feel far less brutal and precarious, despite their many hardships.

My main criticism is that everything in this book seems to be recycled from the first. Many characters are carbon copies (Mervin Fitzgerald/Jack Builder), key events paralleled (the collapsing bridge/cathedral) and the character's motivations are tired and stale ("I want to build the tallest tower in England!" *Yawn*).

I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one, and found its execution more satisfying, but it really feels more like a retelling than a sequel. A Final Fantasy game is a comparison that comes to mind.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Fabulous story

A,really good yarn, with goodies and baddies, twists and turns. It kept me hooked until the end.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Engrossing long book

Loved it. Doesn't end abruptly so if you enjoy getting into a book and attached to the characters, this is great and comes to a satisfactory conclusion as you feel it could have ended several times over before but the writer keeps on giving. Also a sense of certain key characters from Pillars of the Earth reliving but I didn't mind it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

great story had me from start to finish

loved this story. Very well narrated. Great characters had me hooked from start to finish.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I love it

the story was really well read. the characters we very interesting and now going to start book 3....
I loved it....

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A great follow up

World without end ties itself nicely to its predecessor pillars of the earth with occasional historical references. Much like the first book you can't help but fall in love with main characters and despise the evils of medieval England. There were many moments I found myself frozen whilst cooking or not noticing the traffic lights changing colour, as the books mini episodes came to their crescendo. A huge nod to to the author for successfully treading where some many before him have failed, the sequel!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Epic

Amazing story, beautifully read. Feel bereft that I have finished the story. Love John Lee's portrayal of the characters. Thank you.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant story, brilliantly read

Thoroughly recommended, the story is brilliant, the reading is clear and expressive and the sound quality excellent

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

very much a Follett

If you like Ken Follets work you'll love this. A bit heavy going in parts but they may just be due to the narrators voice. 45 odd hours long its certainly one for the audiobook hardcore.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!