Additional Discussion Questions for The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
What are your first impressions of Tom the builder? How if at all have your impressions changed when Tom leaves his newborn son alone out in the woods? Do you think he did the right thing? In your opinion what should he have done?
We learn that Prior Philip decides to take in the abandoned baby. Why do you think he did this? Was it for selfish or unselfish reasons? Does Prior Philip come across as genuine or are you a bit skeptical of his motivations?
When you first meet Waleran Bigod, what are your first impressions of him does he seem like a truly devout man or does he have other plans and/or motives? What intentions does Waleran Bigod have for Philip?
William Hamleigh harbors feelings of hatred toward women-except towards his mother. Why do you suppose if he can respect his mother but not respect other women? Do you think his character is the result of his upbringing or is he just plain evil?
Do you want to see Ellen and Tom unite? And when Ellen leaves Tom what do you think her real reasons are?
Tom builder and Prior Philip both want nothing more than to build a Cathedral. What were the reasons that each character wanted to build a Cathedral? Would you say these reasons are selfish or altruistic?
Richard has a financial dependence on Aliena. Would you say it is from necessity or from a lack of ambition on Richards part. Is he contributing in helping Aliena keep their promise to their father to reclaim Shiring? Who do you feel will achieve that goal?
Jonathan is growing up. Do you think his staying at the monastery is the best thing for Jonathan? What do you think should happen?
With the unfortunate death of Tom, it has a profound effect on Jonathan. Even though Philip has been his father figure. Do you think that Jonathan somehow knows that Tom is his father?
After the raid on Kingsbridge, Aliena can no longer support Richard since she lost everything. After all the time that she supported her brother he tells her that he cannot support her. Do you see this choice as his only option? What other options would he have? Is he being selfish or realistic?
Jack is 20 years old before he finally leans about his father. Ellen claims that she didn't tell Jack so that she could protect him from trying to avenge his father's death. Do you think that is plausible? Or do you think there are other reasons why she never told Jack? If so, what are they?
Kingsbridge has been ruined before. Fortunately Richard arrives with news of the impending raid lead by William Hamleigh. However, it is Jack who devices the plan and ensures that protective walls are built in time. Who do you think deserves credit for saving Kingsbridge?
Both religion and faith have been stripped down and rebuilt in order to justify the means to accomplish goals and ambitions for both William Hamleigh and Waleron Bigod. How has each man used religion and faith to get what they want? Is it God's will responsible for some of the happenings in the story or is it simply the work of man?
Why do you think it is that Philip forgives Remigius? Do you think by Philip allowing Remigius back into the monastery was a dangerous move?
It was surprising to see a different side of William Hamleigh in Part 6. Do you think he became any less evil in your eyes? Did he become more sympathetic?
Ken Follet created this World Without End characters map and it will help you become familiar with all of the characters and their relationship with one another. Also, below is a breakdown by the author for 5 particular characters you can expect to get to know in World Without End:
Caris is the feisty daughter of wool dealer Edmund Wooler. She is a direct descendant of Tom Builder, the hero of the first half of The Pillars of the Earth. As a child, she announces that she is going to be a doctor – but girls cannot study medicine in medieval Europe. However, she refuses to accept this prohibition. Her determination brings her into conflict with the church, and blights her relationship with the man she loves.
Merthin is descended from Jack Builder, the stepson of Tom and the architect of Kingsbridge Cathedral. He has inherited Jack’s genius. But for the conservative citizens who rule Kingsbridge he is too much of a rule-breaker, and like Jack he is forced to leave.
Ralph is Merthin’s brother, but a very different character – strong, aggressive, impatient of books, an accomplished rider and hunter. He will use his warlike skills to rise to the very top of medieval society.
Gwenda is the daughter of a dirt-poor laborer and one of five starving children. She is plain-looking, but determined to marry Wulfric – the handsomest, wealthiest boy in the village. Wulfric is engaged to the coquettish Annet, daughter of a prosperous peasant. But Gwenda refuses to believe she cannot win his heart.
Brother Godwyn, also a descendant of Tom Builder, is a cousin of Caris. He becomes a monk at a young age and is determined to become prior of Kingsbridge – and he is not particular about the means he will use to get there.
Ken Follett did another amazing job. He wrote another extraordinary historical fiction. And as fabulous as World Without End is, I still think his first historical fiction Pillars of the Earth is better. Although World Without End would sit at the top of my top ten choices for books to read.
The only negative thing that I had with this book, if you can even claim it to be a negative, would have to be that the introduction of characters in the beginning was numerous and confusing at first. I was into several chapters before I had them all straight. I would suggest just for some clarity to write down the characters as you come across them and who they are related to. I think if I had done that in the beginning I would have breezed through all of the introductions sooner.
I really enjoyed the stories of all the characters. There was romance, ingenuity, friendships, deception, and some violence. The violence was not easy to read but it seemed to have some necessity to understand the day to day turmoil that the characters suffered with. It grabs your attention and baits you to read more and more. As Pillars of the Earth centered around the building of their grand Cathedral, World Without End seemed to center around the building of the towns' Hospital. This book also focused a lot on the construction of its' town and made for a great story and progressed with the times.
As a reader, I really enjoy the way that Ken Follett tells a story. Pillars of the Earth was his first historical fiction as he had focused his career mainly on mysteries. He certainly stepped out of the box and succeeded with Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. His stories flow so easily and doesn't jump around all over the place. I have read many other books and never quite appreciated dialogue in a story before. I admire the way he writes his characters' thoughts as well as their dialogue amongst each other. I really think he is a brilliant writer.
I know that some reviewers though felt that his books were not exact to history. From my perspective as a reader, it wasn't ever suppose to be an exact historical book. His point was more about the characters' personalities and lives that he created during the history that he imagined. Again, note that both Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are categorized as a historical fiction. I hope this helps the die hard history buffs so that you aren't disappointed with any historical inaccuracies.
I would highly recommend reading World Without End. But if you had to choose between reading World Without End or Pillars of the Earth, I would recommend reading Pillars of the Earth first. Although not a necessity, I think there is some important historical information that gives you as a reader a better appreciation for the stories that happen within World Without End. I hope that you enjoy this story as much as I did!
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is a book you can't put down! I became completely engrossed into it and was depressed when I finished it. I just couldn't get enough of it.
Pillars of the Earth may look a bit intimidating based solely on its size but not to worry; this book is, without a doubt, a fabulous read.
I have always noticed churches for their exquisite beauty, size, and finite detail. However, having to read about them was a different story. In fact, it made me a bit nervous.
Pillars of the Earth was recommended by a friend, and so collectively, we agreed to read this book for our book club. Personally, I would never even have looked at Pillars of the Earth as something I would have actually chosen to read. Opening the cover page I kept thinking that I am going to have to suffer through reading this. As I nervously turned to the Prologue and read the first sentence “The small boys came early to the hanging”, I was instantly hooked. This was not just going to be about cathedrals or churches or even religion.
Religion can be such a touchy subject for most people. Naively, I also thought that Religion would be forced on me in huge gigantic waves. Quite on the contrary, it slowly dripped an appreciation for it through the lives of each character as they unfolded before my eyes.
Ken Follett did a brilliant job introducing the characters. The characters in Pillars of the Earth ended up being heroic, strong, and intelligent. But what was most appealing as a reader was that the characters hardly started out that way. Each character started out as young and naïve. And as each character grew before my eyes they became so vivid to me that I actually felt like I could have actually been friends with them if I had had the chance.
The characters of Jack, Aliena, Tom, Ellen and William Hamleigh are intriguing and spellbinding and is owed to the great story telling ability of Ken Follett. The most notable character for me is Prior Philip. Prior Philip was in the middle of everything in the life of Kingsbridge while still remaining down to earth and practical. He had a sincere and genuine concern for each soul that he came upon. He did not abuse his power within the church and took frugality to a whole new level. Everyone he came across prospered because of him. Of course, with the exception of his arch enemies. And his enemies, being who they were, was quite a surprise. This twist in the story made the plot unpredictable, unique, and adventurous.
As powerful as all the characters were, the cathedral was at the center of their world. It drew them all to it. It became something like an entity in the book. Not a living breathing thing or anything like that. But it too became a strong presence in the story that you ultimately wished for success. The author did a remarkable job in giving a better appreciation as to why a cathedral or “the church” was such a life line for so many people during those times. I never conceptualized the “why” before. The church and cathedrals were the reason for the literal survival of so many.
Pillars of the Earth is definitely a book that I could not put down, nor did I want to. I was actually disappointed when I finished the book. The story was brilliantly told and the author's use of words gripped you and would not let go. I can only hope that you as a reader will enjoy this fabulous piece of literature as much as I did.
The Pillars of the Earth has been made into a TV mini series. The premier date has not been decided yet. Take a look at the behind the scenes trailer below:
The Pillars of the Earth character list
Through my research I found a fantastic website (www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv) that provides great descriptions for the The Pillars of the Earth characters. This Pillars of the Earth character list really gives you a good synopsis for each character as well as information about the person playing the part in the mini series.
You may not have a problem with navigation on the TV website but It took me some time to figure out the navigation so that I could see all of the characters. Below are links to each group of characters found on the TV website:
If you are in a book club and would like to have some discussion questions to follow, I have provided a list for you below. If you have any questions that you think should be added to this list please leave a comment below.
Why did you choose to read The Pillars of the Earth? Now that you have finished Pillars would you say that the book was definitely worth reading? Would you recommend this book to others?
What were some of the most memorable scenes of the story and why? Many people have said that some scenes, particularly the rape scenes were too graphic and felt that much of that type of information was unnecessary. Would you agree or disagree? Do you think the story used too much description or was it what made the book a great story?
There were a lot of characters in the story. Was there any one particular character that stood out the most for you? If so, could you identify with that character? What was it about that character that intrigued you the most?
The Kingsbridge cathedral was the lifeline for so many people. Especially for Tom, Prior Philip, Aliena and Jack. What has the Kingsbridge cathedral given to each of the characters? How have they used the cathedral to give them what they want? How does the cathedral affect the lives of some of the other characters in the story.
Which of the characters do you think are the strongest leaders? Which characters are the weakest?
In history, war has always crippled and decimated the economy, let alone devastate the country's morale. Aliena and Philip helped fight to bring about a change. Can you think of other people in history that have succeeded in the fight for change? Who comes to mind when you think of someone repairing the damage and destruction left by war?
How would you compare and contrast the Kingsbridge we knew in the beginning to the Kingsbridge we have come to know at the end?
Understanding who you are as an individual and your knowledge base, would you see yourself being able to survive at Kingsbridge? If you were to choose a character in Pillars that was most similar to your own character and personality, who would that character be?
Do you see any similarities between the world of Kingsbridge and the world of today? How are they similar? How are they different?
Book Jacket Summary/Synopsis - The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known...of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect-a man divided in his soul...of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame...and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett's historical masterpiece.
About the author, Ken Follet
I have read both The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End and I loved them both. Although I still think Pillars is better. Anyway, I have been interested in finding out more about the author Ken Follett. I found a great interview with him that gives you more insight as to who he is and what his thoughts are about both of these epic books. I enjoyed watching this interview and I hope that you will as well.
