I've had a whole month and 900+ pages to think about it-- and I just didn't enjoy A Column of Fire as much as The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. I think I know why, and I'll get to that in a second, but I'd first like to say that this isn't a bad book. I happily read right through to the end without feeling like it was a chore to finish. Some of Follett's tried and tested formula is present here - namely, a central starcrossed romance and despicable villains - which keeps the pages

A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge #3), Ken FollettBeginning in 1558, and continuing through 1605, the story chronicles the romance between Ned Willard and Margery Fitzgerald, as well as the political intrigue of the royal courts of England, France, and Scotland, and the oft-times violent conflict between supporters of the Catholic Church and the rising Protestant movement in the late 16th century. تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز دهم ماه اکتبر سال2019میلادیعنوان: ستونی از آتش (ستون آتش)؛ نویسنده: کن فالت؛ مو...

My love affair with Follett goes as far back as 13 years, when I was first enraptured by Eye of the Needle. Since then, you've tucked me into bed several nights with your fabulous stories of espionage, romance, historical fiction, and oh so much more.This series makes me sigh as It wraps around me much like a caterpillar In a cocoon. It is fabulously rich in character and plot development and leaves me longing for the next big book you write -especially during the 16th century. I loved The Pilla...

‘’ People should hear Bible stories from their parish priest. If they start reading for themselves, they’re sure to get the wrong idea.’’Some things never change…1558, Kingsbridge. Europe is once again in disarray, torn by trivial religious differences. The vicious battle between Catholics and Protestants has never been more violent, sending countries to war and misery. Spain, France, England. The powerful young queen Elizabeth finds her future, her life threatened by the existence of Mary Stua

"Religious hypocrisy" may be a better title for this long, tortuous, brutal, murdering and warring legions under the guise of Catholics and Protestants. While I admire Ken Follett as an author, I despise this story. 1 of 10 stars!

I didn’t want to write this review, I’ve been weighing it up for a few days, but this book is so far removed from the previous two books that a negative review is unavoidable. A Column of Fire is way too short and way too predictable, which is a sort of odd comment to make about a book over 750 pages long with a huge cast of characters. But let me explain. Ken Follet is at his best when he writes massive historical yarns. He mixes the political and social issues of the age with the lives of some...

I've reviewed ~575 books in the last few years and don't often give out 5 stars. I can be a bit stingy as I want the book to just completely knock me over. Ken Follett is one of few authors who consistently impress, excite, and satisfy this thirst. The Pillars of the Earth came very close. World Without End hit the mark and is one of my top 5 all-time favorite books. In the third book in the Kingsbridge series, A Column of Fire, I am again thoroughly exhilarated and awarding 5 stars. I do think

Phew!! I struggled from the start to finish, and am glad that it is over. I didn't like it. Unlike the first two books which were centered around the characters and their struggles, this was about Catholics and Protestants, two decade long fight between Elizabeth and Mary for the throne. The first two books were more about the characters and their strife to survive each day. I elated in their small victories, felt sad in their pain, but here I didn't connect with the characters. Reading this fel...

This book was a real struggle for me to get through. I so wanted to like it, especially since I loved the first two books in this trilogy, The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, but this story fell flat.True, Follett has his usual cast of good vs. despicable characters, but I was annoyed that all the "good" were Protestant, and all the "evil" were Catholic. On top of that, I didn't feel any affinity for the "good guys", except for a tiny bit near the end (2 pages) about Margery. The pro...

"His memory formed the library of the house. He could pick out any volume and instantly be transported to another place and time." ⭐⭐⭐⭐3/4 Initial Thoughts Column of Fire is the third installment in the magnificent Ken Follet's epic Kingsbridge series. The first two were absolutely amazing and although they're huge, each of them a one thousand page beast, they're so worthwhile. A real soap opera in the middle ages that really become your life. Two of the best books I've ever read.Ken Follet i

Ken Follett again took a lengthy hiatus before penning this third novel in the series, which is reflected in the writing and shall be discussed below. Kingsbridge, with its cathedral and mighty bridge, again proves to be the initial backdrop of this thoroughly researched tome, set in the 16th century. The great community emerges in the opening pages of the novel, where the reader encounters Ned Willard, returning after a period away. As the snow falls, causing the great Cathedral to disappear, t...

Yet again another masterpiece..... Ken Follett follows The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End with a tale of espionage, political intrigue and extreme faith during a time of never-ending religious conflict. Full of adventure and suspense, A Column of Fire is an inspiring and thrilling portrait of one of Europe’s most perilous times in history. It is a journey not only through place but also through a dazzling number of key historical events. Beginning in 1558 and continuing through to 16...

It seems the consensus among Kingsbridge fans is that A Column of Fire is their least favourite. I agree. Forgive my corniness, but A Column of Fire just didn't have the flame the previous two books in the series had. Ken Follett, one of the best-selling authors in history, has never been considered as a spectacular writer. This holds true again in this latest novel. Follett writes quick-paced scenes. His sentences remain as stilted as ever. His words are rigid, and perhaps this evens gives a ce...

I did it, or should I say Ken Follett did it? He managed to in nine hundred and six pages, to continue the story he started two books ago with The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Amazing to me is that Mr Follett not only wrote this many pages, but also so aptly filled those pages with a story that was hard to put down. If you loved the first two books in this series, you are going to be in love once again.In this novel, the year is 1558 and religious strife is tearing the country, it...

I was asked to review this by Nudge and was thrilled 28 years ago I read the first book - Pillars of the Earth on holiday and was blown away. 18 years later saw the author then bring out the long awaited World without End and 10 years later I am sitting here with the third instalment. The book although a long time coming is worth the wait. I was given one of a limited edition numbered book proof of 1240.This is a spy story with Elizabeth the first reigning in the sixteenth century. As ever Ken F...

4.5 “Sometimes Ned felt he lived in a rotten world.” I haven't read World Without End yet, but according what I've gathered from the reviews I've seen and my experience with the wonderful The Pillars of the Earth, A Column of Fire seems to be significantly different from both its predecessors. The most heard complaints are, as far as I know, the weakness of the romance and the lack of depth when it comes to the characters, most likely due to A Column of Fire having a much wider scope than th...

How ambitious! How exciting! How compelling! What a masterpiece!As Bill Sheehan of The Washington Post said, Follett uses the tools of popular fiction to great effect, illuminating a nation’s gradual progress toward modernity.I know that this one was not everyone’s favourite of The Kingsbridge Tetralogy. Some of my friends were a bit disappointed, and that’s why it took me so long to start this book, which was sitting on my shelves since its release, but I absolutely loved it!The Pillars of the

OM@%*+?!G!!!!!! Okay, please don't hate me for doing this in the review box, but just found out there's a third book in the "TPOTE" series and I'M DYING!!!!!!!!!! Book one was and still is such a love/hate for so many and I'm most definitely one of the diehard lovers of the first book, have the second and can't wait to read it and now A THIRD BOOK?!?!?!?! Just a little excited :-O I'm being a total book nerd and about to jump out of my skin!! Must get my hands on this ASAP!!!! I can't wait need

I'm a huge fan of Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. After only two chapters of this book I am hugely disappointed. It is difficult to believe that Ken Follet wrote this book. The language is juvenile and the vernacular is very modern and western. I'll continue reading and hope for some improvement.

I was very familiar with this time period, the religious wars in France and England, the Spanish Inquisition. So much bloodshed, killing in the name of the Lord. A huge cast of characters, no character list provided, took quite a while to remember who was who, this is a very lengthy tome. A fantastic portraying of the history of this time period. Yet, for me frustrating as well. In his effort to cover so much ground, in different areas, he sacrificed character development, and made the various t...