Tuesday, April 26, 2011

REVIEW (SORT OF): FALL OF GIANTS BY KEN FOLLETT


  • Hardcover: 985 pages
  • Publisher: Dutton Adult (September 28, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9780525951650

(Kindle Edition)

Okay, so this is not going to be much a review. The thing is, I loved Piilars of the Earth, didn't so much like the prequel, World Without End, and had no real expectations for this one.  

The beginning was phenomenal, I loved following all of the characters, Billy, Fitz, Maud, Walter, Ethel, etc.  Even the way it started drew me in.  I thought it was going to be a story following these seemingly unrelated characters and delve into their lives in a captivating way.  

That was until the war started.  

YAWN!

If you have an interest in the first world war and all of the minutia of the politics of the day, you will probably like it.  After about 3/4 of the way through I skimmed until I found chunks that interested me.  You know, about the people.  

I don't know about you, but to me there is not much else that feels as disappointing as taking on a tome like this and have it fall flat.  I wanted to love it.  Especially since it is the first in a trilogy!  I found the lives of the coal miners very fascinating, and the interplay among family members.  This was solely lacking in the latter half of the book. 

I know other people I know loved it, and they sited the detail in the politics was why. 

So there it is.  

RATING:  2/5

3 Blabs:

The Champs said...

that's funny I was the total oposite. Thought pillars was alright, really liked world without end, and LOVED this one

Lisa said...

Hi Jenny! (Champy!) I KNOW, I really feel like I missed out because pretty much every other person I know LOVED it too. Sigh. I'll read the next one, though, because I do love all of the characters so much!

TheBookGirl said...

So now I really don't know which series to start with, lol.

I was going to set aside a chunk of time in the spring to start one of these two mammoth undertakings, and I was going back and forth on which one.
It does tell me something tho, that even though you didn't love this one, you fully intend to read the next in the series :)

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