World Without End--Book Review

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World Without End. Ken Follett. NAL Trade. 2008.

Book review by Joel
I was really looking forward to this book. When I heard there was going to be a sequel to The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club), I went out and bought the hard cover book when I was in Poulsbo, Washington at the Liberty Bay Books bookstore (one of my favorites). I ran out of the store, book held high and screamed, "I have it! I have it damn you!" The people in Poulsbo are so nice and understanding.

Then I started reading it. I waited a while. I didn't want the book to think I was stalking it or anything. I was really hoping it would have been better. There is a lot of gratuitous sex in the book. A lot. The characters tended to do the same things repeatedly, only in different situations. There seemed to be characters who act out 21st century mannerisms or moralities, especially the Caris character. All of these things tended to pull me out of the environment and wonder what year is it anyway. I was just getting the plague and then…no wait…it's 2008. Dammit. I am just reading a book.

It is hard to get a sequel and not judge it by its predecessor. This book takes place in the same town but a couple of hundred years have passed. The church has become conservative and unbending to change. Even the spread of the plague only changes the church by killing off the monks and priors. Afterwards it's business as usual.

I enjoyed the book but there were a lot of problems for me in it. I don't know that I would recommend it. It is over 1000 pages, so it requires a time commitment. I think Tracey would enjoy it for the historical aspect of it. It is a sweeping love story too. Just look under the rug….

Joel.

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Do you like this book review? Joel has written for Book Reader's Traverse since its conception in 2004. He often finds his books in unusual places, including hometown shops where he visits, and even dumpsters at times. See his comical bio and picks--Joel's Picks.

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