Ken Follett: World Without End

Yihaaa!
Just  finished reading this one. It took me weeks to do it because I've been busy lately and I had to steal few minutes here and there (20 minutes before working hour, 15 minutes in break, a bit after and before I did my iBT reading material, etc), but it's totally worth it! It is a fun, educational, and well-researched novel. The extra efforts, the book's price, and the lengthy pages do not mean anything compared with what I got from the book. Wanna know something? I tried to write the paragraphs as organized as possible like Sugeng suggested, but...well, apparently I am no good at it. So, at this point, I kinda stop trying. hahahahah. (the crowd goes wild, 'loooseeerr!') Nah, I'll try again some other time. Promise.

Before we go to World Without End, let's review a bit about Pillars of the Earth. Pillars predated World Without End by approximately 150 years (I think :)). Both are set out in the village (small city at the end) of Kingsbridge. Even though there are some small towns with the same name in England, Follett's Kingsbridge is fictional. A place that supposedly (does this word exist?) located in Malborough. He intentionally put it near some important medieval cities like Winchester, Gloucester, and Salisbury.  The central struggle in Pillars is the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral (Church). However, I think the construction of the church is not the only problem. The ambitions of the each character are the actual fuels. Everybody wanted to reach everything they had in mind.

Kingsbridge priory was once ran by Prior Philip (World Without End referred him as The Great Prior Philip. Well, his capability to forgive was indeed superhuman). He became prior after Prior James died and left him with a super damaged church and estates. James inability to manage the priory and its estates cost the priory its income and supposedly devoted diligent monks. Everything in Kingsbridge was in chaos before Philip came. He turned everything around by building both prosperous priory and city with helps from city merchants and builders. And...he left it that way.

Differences and Similarities Between the Two
It is always fun to see how an area grows from time to time. In this case, Kingsbridge! The way it was managed, ruined, and built over and over again. World Without End at first illustrated Kingsbridge being ruined by mismanagement once more. Just like in the time of Prior James, but this time they had help from the nuns which were rich and frugal at the same time. Unfortunately, instead of having a savior like Philip, the priory fell to the incapable hands of Prior Godwyn. He is as sleek as an eel and as cunning as a fox. While Philip had an understanding with merchants and builders, Godwyn had constant feuds with them. Each had its consequences, off course.  At the end, Philip moved to a higher position, left Kingsbridge to Jonathan (his young and smart subprior) whereas Godwyn died because of the Black Death and his position was taken by a nun and then his sneaky little pet, Philemon.

The characters in Pillars of The Earth had to deal with the anarchy after the death of Henry I. The tides of power struggle at that time constantly affected the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral (Church) especially the resources needed. Unlike Pillars, World Without End describes how Kingsbridge was badly battered by the start of Edwardian War and the Black Death and how the people in it tried to save the city (or help themselves for some golds and positions) in any way they could. They key characters in the book are different too. Aliena is a successful, but family-oriented merchant while Caris is more of a modern woman who seemed to enjoy her independence (a little too much at some point. Not that there is something wrong with that).  Godwyn and Philip? Oh well, does not take a genius to see that they were standing in the different side of the river.

Although all the differences, both still linger on the same city and same focus of rebuilding the cathedral (church). The relationship between the characters are a bit similar. No one can say that the resemblance between Aliena-Jack and Caris-Merthin is tenuous. The way they loved each other, sneaked out in the forest, and their 'hampered wedding' kinda similar.  Let's see if we can get other examples...oh, the brutality of Ralph and William, Aliena's and Caris's businesses in wool and dyed cloths, the practicality of Jack and Merthin, and of course the complicated law.  The books are both educational (especially if you are interested in buildings and such). They clearly taught us about consequences of our actions, morality, and wisdom. The representation of medieval England is somehow accurate too and they way Follett used his words to tell a story makes it more interesting (this says much for 1,000+ pages book).

My Other Thought?
Mmmmmm...I think World Without End is more influenced by the modern world. Just look at Caris, she is the Elizabeth Taylor of medieval England.  I do not know about men in the 13th century, but Merthin's practicality sounds like any other man around me and Gregory Longefellow is just like most lawyers in today's world. Perhaps men never changed throughout history? (I guess it's for me to find out).

I love both of the books, the way the characters developed, the plot, the description of the buildings.  Once, I thought that it would be a good idea to make a mini series based on these books and apparently they already did that! I have watched Pillars of the Earth and despite of few omission of events and characters, it was quite good.  I have planned to watch World Without End, but the comments in IMDb really discouraged me. They said that the series were horrible. Hufff...so, I think I'm going to steer clear.

My Recommendation to You?
Go read it! Rather obvious. heheh. 


Cheers,
Dya

One of the images was taken from here.