by Ken Follett, 1989
From Karma. Wow! What a book, 973 pages!
It was set in England from the years 1123 to 1174. Ken Follett’s preface says this book was out of character – a story about building a church. “What’s more, I don’t believe in God.”
He fell in love with Peterborough Cathedral. Took him 3 years, 3 months to finish the book. He wanted to write a novel about cathedral builders. Here’s how he writes: “I begin by writing an outline of the story, saying what happens in each chapter, and giving thumbnail sketches of the characters.” Also, “The problem of the end of the book, which I had not outlined, was solved by a flash of inspiration, when I thought of involving the principal characters in the the notorious real-life murder of Thomas Becket.” (Archbishop)
Characters:
Tom Builder and his family – Agnes, his wife; Alfred, Martha. Agnes dies giving birth to another child. Tom buries her, puts the baby on top of the grave. They are starving. A priest comes along and finds the baby, takes it to a monastery. Tom is a master-builder, good man.
Prior Philip-a good man also. He becomes the prior of Kingsbridge and turns it into a thriving monastery with the grandest cathedral in England! (It takes the entire book, though.)
Ellen and Jack – Mom and son, live in the forest, meet Tom Builder and his family. She and Jack go to him after Agnes dies and travel with him and his family looking for work. They finally find it at Kingsbridge with Prior Philip. Building a new church. But not after being turned down everywhere and nearly starving. Little Jack realizes that Prior Philip is the last hope. He burns down the church in the middle of the night. No one knew. To ensure Tom Builder would be able to work.
Aliena and Richard – Earl of Shiring’s children. He is jailed as a traitor. They lose the Earldom to Hamleigh. Aliena is beautiful and was to marry Hamleigh’s son, the evil William, but she spurned him. Aliena and Richard lose everything. She is forced to poverty and homelessness after William rapes her and cuts off Richard’s earlobe. Aliena works hard in the wool business and eventually becomes rich, thanks to Prior Philip who agrees to buy her wool. They live near the monastery. Little Jack falls in love with Aliena at first sight. As they grow up, they become friends, lovers, and man and wife.
Bishop Waleran – conniving Bishop. Wants all the glory. In cahoots with Hamleigh to try to destroy Prior Philip’s success. They almost succeed. At one point, William Hamleigh burns Kingsbridge, destroys Aliena’s wool business and kills Tom Builder. Eventually, Jack becomes master builder and he builds the most beautiful cathedral in England, from ideas he got while in exile in France.
An epic tale, full of politics between the Church and the Kings and Queens of England and how they affect the common man. In the end, good wins.
King Stephen, Queen Maude (real life Matilda?), King Henry II, Thomas Becket