Reviews

A Queda dos Gigantes by Ken Follett

singhrat's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

books_with_kaumudi's review against another edition

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The book was long but never had a dull moment. It has interwoven real-world history with fictional characters in a beautiful manner. A very good lesson in world history, if I may say so, in terms of what led up to the first world war. This first book began during the years that led up to the first world war and then continued to years after the war had ended. I am eagerly waiting for what the next one will bring.

heather_boo's review against another edition

3.0

I’ve been a fan of this author for awhile. Although following five families was no doubt to show different perspectives during the WW1 era, I couldn’t help feeling it was a great deal of information to manage as a reader. The ending is satisfying and made up for many of the shortcomings I felt during the read.

mattia_masciadra's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

maarkean's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed getting into the lives of the people of this era. It's interesting to see the evolution of life for the characters around this major world event, especially from the perspective of all the different nationalities. The characters are engaging on their own but this is enhanced as you get to see history unfold before them.

While it is fiction, and therefore tainted by the needs of a story and colored by modern views on things, its accurate enough to give a good sampling. Any fan of Downton Abbey would appreciate this book as it focuses on the same time frame.

jol69's review against another edition

3.0

2.5 to 3. Some really interesting characters, but so many to keep track of. Follett needs to have his work edited more, I felt sometimes his desire to give historical detail was over the top - just too much. At over 900 pages, and just part 1 of a series this is a serious investment of your time. Not sure if I'll invest in the rest of the series.

mboere's review against another edition

emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

lilletalks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

stefhite's review against another edition

3.0

Well ... it's not Pillars of the Earth, so a bit disappointing on that front. One of the things I loved about Pillars - I learned so much about the time period due to Follett's impeccable historical research. The same attention to detail holds true in Fall of Giants, but about a time period that we know much more about (World War I). So the book became more a formulaic experience, a little history, a little character-driven plot ...a little history, a little character-driven plot - wash, rinse, repeat. That being said, it held my interest for the 1000+ pages - so good read. But it's not Pillars.

tamracielle's review against another edition

4.0

This book was not as good as the stellar Pillars of the Earth. It captured my attention at the beginning, and the characters were well-drawn and captivating, but after a while, it started to drag. The endless descriptions of wars and political strategies began to be monotonous. Will this war never end, the reader thinks. Maybe that was the point. I'm sure those who lived through WWI felt the same way. I certainly learned a lot about that war and that period of history. Ken Follett definitely does his research. I liked it well enough to continue with the second book in the trilogy at some point.