About Me

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Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

World Without End by Ken Follett

With reading going slowly I am putting up a review I wrote for myself 10 years ago.
****

20. - 430.) World Without End by Ken Follett - The story of Kingsbridge Cathedral resumes 200 years after its construction. Over the second quarter of the 13th Century we follow Merthin, the oldest son of impoverished nobility, and Caris, the younger daughter of a prosperous wool merchant. The book takes us from their youth through to old age (an era when anyone surviving to their 50’s was considered old). Around them swirl a colourful set of characters (the book would make an excellent television mini-series). Merthin is a skilled architect and builder. Caris is a bold independent thinker with a talent for healing and leading. They face credible life challenges. I had forgotten about the complexities of societal relationships between the religious (monks / nuns / general clergy), townspeople (merchants / labourers / tradesmen / artisans), famers (serfs / tenants) and nobility (lords / ladies / squires). Amidst the triumphs and tragedies of regular life the Black Death descends upon them with an unbelievable ferocity for which there is no modern equivalent. It has been a long time since I read a saga. It is a wonderful portrait of life. Hardcover. (May 20/08)
****
It did become a mini-series in 2012. I did not watch the series.

I am thinking it is about time I read another saga.

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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 5, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    I haven't thought about Follett for a long time, Bill. I ought to go back to some of his work. Thank you for the reminder.

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    Replies
    1. Bill SelnesDecember 5, 2018 at 11:15 PM

      Margot: Thanks for the comment. I equally have not read him in a long time.

      Delete
  2. UnknownDecember 5, 2018 at 7:07 AM

    Just re-read this book a few months ago - loved it again!

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    Replies
    1. Bill SelnesDecember 5, 2018 at 11:15 PM

      Unknown: Thanks for the comment. I am glad you enjoyed it the second reading.

      Delete
  3. Clothes In BooksDecember 14, 2018 at 12:01 PM

    I read the first in the series many years ago, I should take one the later episode...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill SelnesDecember 15, 2018 at 8:19 PM

      Moira: Thanks for the comment. I believe you will enjoy a subsequent book.

      Delete

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