Feb 07, 2005 07:28 PM
3204 Views
(Updated Feb 07, 2005 08:52 PM)
Sometimes, a perfect ending is all that?s required. Never mind the length, never mind the start, never mind ?. As they say,? All?s well that ends well.?
To say that Follett?s start is laborious wud b an understatement. Confusing? Overwrought? Wot?s the word im looking for?,?? AHH! FRUSTRATING! THERE U GO! Just wen u finish one chapter and digest one (awesome) character, Follett throws in a new character and devotes another chapter to him/her. Wot?s worse, nothing relates the characters. NOTHING. ZILCH. Here?s where my 1st para comes in.
As the story unfolds, all the individual straws come together to form one MAGNIFICENT haystack! Take one straw out, the stack?ll collapse. The way the stories?ve been interwoven is MASTERLY> No other word 4 it. All characters?re given equal importance and that?s where the beauty lies: You just CANNOT pick ONE main character.
The adhesive that bonds them all firmly is the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge- A Township. The story is set in the medieval age and is divided into six parts(1135AD-1136AD,1136-1137,1140-1142,1142-1145,1152-1155,1170-1174). Prior to the 1st part is a brilliant prologue set in 1123AD. It portrays a hanging. The cruelty and ruthlessness of the townsfolk is so wonderfully etched, its sure to send a shiver down ur spine. Thus begins the best book I?ve ever read( along with Wally Lamb?s outstanding,'' I know this much is true.?).
With so many characters and such a long time span, its virtually impossible 4 me to even form the gist of the story. Lemme try though. Hmmmm? ok,the story begins and ends with a hanging, heavily rests on the construction of the cathedral and also its being burnt down. The rest is impossible 2 divulge. Read it. U?ll understand.
The novel is truly an epic that covers everything: Pride, greed, ambition, perseverance, bravery, revenge and love. A surefire masterpiece, it will- as the Chicago Sun-Times rightly put it- ?Hold u, fascinate u, surround u.?
Check it out. U don?t wanna miss it! CIAO.
Ratings and comments awaited?.
