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oberynmelonlord's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Classism, Death, Rape, Violence, War, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship
goldenlake's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Addiction, Murder, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Stalking, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Bullying, Alcoholism, Violence, Sexism, Infidelity, Misogyny, Gore, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Dementia, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Vomit, Trafficking, War, Pregnancy, and Confinement
Minor: Colonisation, Genocide, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, and Cursing
dornmoore's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Sexism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Rape
nadia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I read The Pillars of the Earth at the end of last year and decided to go for the prequel next (not in publication order, which is normally my jam, but I'm sure that's fine, given it's a prequel of what I just read!).
The Evening and the Morning was great! I very quickly became invested in the different characters' stories, and I love me a lot of political intrigue. Well done Ken Follett for making me care about bishops, monks, and Catholic churches!
There were moments where I felt the pace lagged a little and the plot points felt a little bit repetitive. I also wasn't as emotionally invested as I thought I would be come the later sections given how it all started.
But all in all, a great read! Love getting immersed in a chunky book!
Graphic: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, War, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Grief, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
elfsara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
vibrantautumn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Slavery, Confinement, Sexual violence, Child death, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, War, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
soswiin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Slavery
carolined's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism
beanjoles's review against another edition
4.5
This was my first Ken Follett read. I picked it up as a skip-the-line loan on a whim and I’m very glad I did! Other reviewers have mentioned that the characters don’t have a ton of depth, and that’s true, but it was still a really fun, tense, and informative listen. Spoiler for the ending:
One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the keen attention paid to the minutiae of English life in the Dark Ages. I learned about shipbuilding, construction, and life for common peasants. It was interesting seeing the beginnings of the landlord system and how the laws regarded people of different statuses and genders. I also learned a lot about the horrors of slavery practised by the English, something I didn’t realize they’d been doing even way back then. I’d say I enjoyed the book as much for its world building as I did for the plot and characters.
I liked this enough to put a hold on the Pillars of the Earth, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next!
A content note: As you might expect of a book written about this era, there is a good deal of sexual violence in this book. Some of it is gratuitous to the plot but does contribute to worldbuilding (unfortunately). Id probably stay away from this book if sexual violence and r*pe are triggers for you. Examples:
Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Torture
Minor: Infertility and Suicidal thoughts
lunar_witch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Violence, Slavery, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Pedophilia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Torture