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Just Schtuph
Nov. 26th, 2008 07:15 amFinished reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. Best known for spy action-adventure thrillers, apparently (according to Mr. Follett's forward) many people discouraged him from writing outside his successful genre. However, he persevered and completed something he believes is his best work.
It certainly tests the adage that one should write about what one knows. Mr. Follett, a self-proclaimed Non-religious fellow, became quite intrigued by medieval cathedral architecture as a younger man. This bit of a hobby features as a central plot point in Pillars, with a good deal of the story revolving around the construction (re-construction actually) of a cathedral during the reign of King Stephen. More correctly, perhaps, during the Civil War between Stephen and Maud.
Is it the best piece of writing he's ever done? I'm afraid I can't answer that question, at least not yet. I can't pull out of recollection anything I've read that he's written. I do read spy action-adventure mystery thrillers, but not frequently. It is a well-written tale, which I enjoyed and recommend.
It certainly tests the adage that one should write about what one knows. Mr. Follett, a self-proclaimed Non-religious fellow, became quite intrigued by medieval cathedral architecture as a younger man. This bit of a hobby features as a central plot point in Pillars, with a good deal of the story revolving around the construction (re-construction actually) of a cathedral during the reign of King Stephen. More correctly, perhaps, during the Civil War between Stephen and Maud.
Is it the best piece of writing he's ever done? I'm afraid I can't answer that question, at least not yet. I can't pull out of recollection anything I've read that he's written. I do read spy action-adventure mystery thrillers, but not frequently. It is a well-written tale, which I enjoyed and recommend.
