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In this 1,000-page book, our friend Mr. Follett summarizes the First World War from the point of view of some different countries. We have several characters from Germany, Britain, Russia and the States that meet each other at the beginning of the story and, after thinking that the conflict would be solved diplomatically, they will finally have to fight on different sides and become enemies.
Not only does the book address the war itself, but also other important issues of that time such as the Russian Revolution and the suffrage movement in Britain. We even have a love story between a Welsh woman and a German officer that must live separated from each other although they are married, so the reader is taken from the Eastern to the Western front and to the main countries involved in the war thanks to all these characters.
First of all, I have found the book very informative, and it’s because Ken Follett has written a very gripping story mixed with the exact dose of historical references, just enough not to get you bored. In fact, after reading several books by him, I have realized that the previous novels have been a preparation for this Trilogy of the Century: Fall of giants began exactly like A place called freedom, in the coal mines of Wales, and there some female characters who are very similar to the ones in The man from St. Petersburg.
The problem is that we liked all those novels written in the eighties and nineties, indeed, but now the readers would like to have further evolution, not just in the number of pages, but also in the characters. It’s OK to have some good and strong ones, but it would be even better if we didn’t know that those good characters were always going to be successful and, of course, they wouldn’t die in the war. We have read George R. R. Martin’s books and now we want some excitement in our reading!
So if you like Ken Follett’s novels and you are not looking for more, just read this book.
From Isi 
Ah, Mr Follett and his lenghty books! I’ve never read any of his novels, only a sample of The Pillars of the Earth and I enjoyed it so much. I have the book and I sure will have to get to it soon. But I’m sure this is a lovely read, because I know he is a good writer, by his reputation alone (and ofcourse my limited knowledge of reading 40 pages of Pillars)
*lengthy
You have to read The pillars! I have read several of his books, but The pillars is my favourite; it has wonderful characters.
The other books are also enjoyable and are set in interesting periods of history, you’ll see.
Yes I will, I promise! I did enjoy what I read of it (Pillars) so I should just get through my Netgalley list and then I can get to the books I want to read 😀
😀 understood! You know my Netgalley list is really small, but even though I know I will like my only book in the list, I have other books before
You must read it – it’s so great!
I will, I will!
Hi, Isi. I like Ken Follet, I have read several of his books and enjoyed a lot, but I think this one is not for me. I don’t like the World Word period and this novel could be a little boring. Great review!!!
Kisses 🙂
Shaka, what a surprise!
Well, if you don’t like the historical period, I’m sure your choice is right. I didn’t find it boring, but I think it could have been better.
Hmm. I’ve a lot of friends who enjoy Ken Follett but if I’m going to read a 1,000 page book I might be tempted to try the Game of Thrones series instead… lol. 🙂
But you also have to read Game of thrones, it’s great!! 😀 Ken Follett is a good author, but he could write better stories only by changing a little his own rules (don’t kill the good ones, for example)
Lol, I hear that!
Aa wonderful review, Isi. Such a lengthy book. Congratulations! 🙂
Thanks, it’s so difficult to talk about such a long book, so in the end I decided to give away very little!
Oh Isi, I can see your letter to Ken Follett now: “Dear Mr Follett, I thought your most recent book was very good, as ever, but I think it would be even better with mad kings and direwolves’… 🙂
As you know I’ve read and loved both “Pillars” books, but I haven’t read any of Follett’s more modern historical fiction. Like Shaka, I don’t venture too much into wartime fiction, and to be honest your comments about his characters being diametrically opposed into good and bad (which we’ve discussed before in another context) makes it sound as if this is one for Follett completists, rather than something I should go out of my way to read. Correct me if I’m wrong, of course!
But, having said that, it does sound as though he’s very good at conjuring up the feel of the era, with all its conflicts of loyalties and its uncertainties…
Mr Follett, please, kill some of your characters to make your books more gripping 😉
Yes, that’s the point: there is a lack of thrill when you realize that nothing bad will happen to the good ones that makes you feel disappointed with the author.
But the story itself, how he crosses one British character with a Russian one, and how you get to know the sequence of events during the conflict; that is really good!
I’ve loved the Follett books that I have read so far (Pillars and World Without End) and really, really want to get around to this one. I always save him for when I’m in the “mood” for a lengthy book – which usually coincides with a vacation.
SO, I guess I should take a vacation, right?
Yes, you should! 😀 Having a vacation and reading Ken Follett look like good plans.
I also have to find “the mood” for these super-long books. I’m currently reading “Under the dome”, and even though is a book you can read very fast, I need to find the right time.