Who is the author of the historical novel The Pillars of the Earth?
Last Updated:
The Pillars of the Earth, written by British author Ken Follett, is a historical novel published in 1989. It is set in medieval England in the 12th century, a period marked by civil war and power struggles between noble families, the clergy and the monarchy. The novel centers on the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, a project that spans several decades and provides the backdrop for the characters’ stories.
Ken Follett, born in 1949, is renowned for his thrillers and historical novels. Before writing The Pillars of the Earth, he had already made a name for himself with thrillers such as Eye of the Needle. But The Pillars of the Earth marks a turning point in his career, as this novel departs from his previous works to plunge into a meticulous and exciting reconstruction of life in the Middle Ages.
The plot of Pillars of the Earth is complex, covering a vast period and a multitude of characters. Among the novel’s central figures are Tom the Builder, who dreams of building a cathedral, Aliena, a fallen noblewoman and Philippe, an ambitious monk. These characters are bound together by their efforts to build Kingsbridge Cathedral, a project that symbolizes not only faith, but also the quest for power, ambition and survival in a cruel and uncertain world.
The novel is famous for its detailed depiction of daily life in the Middle Ages, political struggles and the architectural processes used to build Gothic cathedrals. The wealth of historical detail and the scope of the narrative make Pillars of the Earth a fascinating work for lovers of history and epic novels. Follett has drawn on actual historical events, such as the English Anarchy (1135-1153), to create a realistic and immersive setting.
One of the book’s major themes is the struggle between good and evil, embodied by characters with varied motivations. While some characters are driven by their faith or their desire to improve society, others seek to establish their power and domination through betrayal and violence. This duality is omnipresent throughout the story.
The Pillars of the Earth was an international success, translated into several languages and selling millions of copies. The book also inspired a TV mini-series in 2010, produced by Ridley and Tony Scott, as well as video games, adding to its popularity.
The success of Pillars of the Earth prompted Ken Follett to write sequels. In 2007, he published A World Without End, set some 150 years after the events of Pillars of the Earth, still in Kingsbridge, and in 2017, he published A Pillar of Fire, which plunges readers into the Elizabethan era.
The Pillars of the Earth is Ken Follett’s most iconic work. This captivating historical novel, combining political intrigue, religious conflict and architectural prowess, is a fascinating testament to the complexity of the Middle Ages. Thanks to a rich narrative and deeply human characters, Follett has succeeded in bringing this remote period to life and making it accessible to his readers.
literature
Who is the author of the historical novel The Pillars of the Earth?
Answer
Ken Follett is the author of the historical novel The Pillars of the Earth, published in 1989, which recounts the construction of a cathedral in 12th century England.