The Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett · first published 1989
70% recommend30% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A multigenerational historical novel about building a cathedral in 12th-century England, told through multiple perspectives, with a well-researched, vivid picture of medieval life. For fans of long historical fiction.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Pillars of the Earth is a historical novel by Welsh author Ken Follett published in 1989 about the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England. Set in the 12th century, the novel covers the time between the sinking of the White Ship and the murder of Thomas Becket, but focuses primarily on the Anarchy. The book traces the development of Gothic architecture out of the preceding Romanesque architecture, and the fortunes of the Kingsbridge priory and village against the backdrop of historical events of the time.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2022–2026Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2019–2023Come as you are
Emily Nagoski, Blanca González Villegas
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 44 recommend · 4 mention4 recommend · 44 recommend
Landmark Herodotus
Robert Strassler
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 54 recommend · 5 mention4 recommend · 54 recommend
2012–2025Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Victor Hugo, Grant, John
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 72 recommend · 7 mention2 recommend · 72 recommend
2009–2026Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry
Recommended by 36 · mentioned by 4836 recommend · 48 mention36 recommend · 4836 recommend
2010–2024King Rat
James Clavell
Recommended by 14 · mentioned by 1614 recommend · 16 mention14 recommend · 1614 recommend
2010–2025Behind the cloud
Marc R. Benioff
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 159 recommend · 15 mention9 recommend · 159 recommend
Eugene Onegin
Alexander Pushkin
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 174 recommend · 17 mention4 recommend · 174 recommend
The Harry Potter series remains the most enjoyable books I've ever read. The Pillars of the Earth comes close though. Terrific sci-fi reads were Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Hyperion, Ringworld, and to a lesser extent A Deepness in the Sky. Also Excession, whose human characters are poorly…
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books?” ↗…the heat death of the universe and the gold master release of Star Citizen before the Winds of Winter releases. Ken Follett is probably one of the best in the genre because he does different things. Pillars of the Earth is an amazing book, and he didn't turn it into a 6-book series or something that just drags on and on and on. So kudos to him for resisting the temptation there!
on “Ken Follett Says Readers Still Like Epic Books” ↗…Stormlight Archives - The First Law Trilogy - The Lord of the Rings Literature: - The Stranger - Dubliners - Things I've Learned from Dying - The Things They Carried - Cloud Atlas - Stoner - Pillars of the Earth
on “Ask HN: Which non-programming books are a beneficial read for programmers?” ↗Pillars of the Earth. It's a historical fiction novel by Ken Follett about the building of a cathedral in 12th century England. Brilliant book. http://www.amazon.ca/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/0451166892
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why” ↗I'm not sure of it's historical accuracy, or if the author took some liberties with the subject at hand, but one of my favorite works of fiction on the "building of a cathedral" is Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth". If you haven't read it, you may be as surprised by it as I was...
on “Building a Cathedral” ↗Also for a historical fiction take, Ken Follett’s “Pillars of the Earth” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pillars_of_the_Earth
on “The biggest churches in the world: Anglo-Norman eleventh-century cathedrals” ↗You should read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. It's a quick read and digresses a lot on a fictional romantic side story, but the main character is a middle ages master mason who has grand plans to build a cathedral ... which he hopes his son will…
on “133 Years Later, Gaudí’s Cathedral Nears Completion” ↗…we would today consider a sedentary job at all. Though yes, a labourer would have been much more likely to suffer injuries regardless... One good fictional account of medieval life among all classes: Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet. Wonderful reading and realistically depicted in most ways.
on “Medieval Cambridge skeletons reveal injuries to manual labourers” ↗-Demon Haunted World A Candle In The Dark - Carl Sagan I enjoy his writing in general, but this one talks a lot about being a skeptic and critical thinking which is paraphrasing strongly. -The Pillars Of The Earth - Ken Follett. Could not stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading it and was pretty bummed when it was over. Its about a cathedral being built in the 1100's. My most favorite book this year and probably…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023” ↗> The Pillars Of The Earth - Ken Follett Same, one of my favourite books ever. The others in the series are not quite as good, but I think you will enjoy them.
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023” ↗…look is to some of the architecture in the old town Architecture is a huge deal! Imo, it is fair and good to appreciate the architecture of other places. I humbly implore you to read the book, "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It tells the story of the work that historically went into a cathedral. They didn't just spring up, some of these were generational projects. Architecture is a really big deal.
on “Anchor Brewing Was San Francisco” ↗…conventional version of history, telling tales we all (think we) know. The good stuff is made-up too, of course; but it's heavily researched, and informative. I'm thinking of stuff like Ken Follet's The Pillars of the Earth.
on “The Trap of Fairytale Victory Endings in Historical Fiction” ↗I would probably have to say The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I’m a sucker for fat historical fiction books and this one delivered everything I want from that type of book.
on “Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?” ↗…all time favorites list; but, in all honesty, I cannot believe it appeals to the wide audience it does due to its content. That said, here are some of my all time favorites (no particular order): 01. Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett) 02. Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry) 03. A Painted House (John Grisham) 04. A Gentleman in Moscow (Amor Towles) 05. The Great Alone (Kristin Hannah) 06. All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony…
on “Book recommendations from Hacker News?” ↗…generally hard science fiction and high fantasy (less so the latter), but occasionally if I come across a truly exceptional historical fiction book I'll and that to my TBR list as well (Shogun, Silence, and Pillars of the Earth, for example). I also prefer longer books, since if I'm sitting down to read something I really want a lot of detail and meat there. Even irrelevant details are welcomed, I almost just enjoy the act of…
on “Why Some People Become Lifelong Readers” ↗