If I had to read a book by Ken Follett

[MrsDoyle351]

Which is the best one to read?

Going to the library later.

The Kingsbridge series.

The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth

On balance, I prefer his older thrillers tbh. The Third Twin was good. Also The Key to Rebecca They might not have aged well though. Must be 25 years since he wrote them at least.
Be warned: he is a breast man. As you'll unfortunately discover. And his passion for them is evident. Often. And turns him into a 13 year old boy.
Once you get past those bits, his historical fiction isn't bad. Easier to read than lots of other historical fiction writers.

The century trilogy is fantastic. So so good.

The pillars of the earth but it's very long

The Pillars of the Earth.

As a pp has mentioned he really is very keen on highlighting that women have breasts. If you can get past all the descriptions of women which reinforce his fondness of the mammary gland then it’s a good read.

The pillars of the earth

If you can get past all the descriptions of women which reinforce his fondness of the mammary gland then it’s a good read

Thanks all who replied! Especially as it's pretty early in the morning. Looks like Pillars of the Earth has the most votes, but will also read up on reviews of the Kingsbridge Series - is that the same as The Century Triology?

I don't mind a long book if it's worth it . ie Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. War and Peace, The Stand and any Dickens...to me were worth it. Need to test my powers of concentration maybe as very much post menopausal now and tend to read 'psychological thrillers' a lot as they're super easy reading, but not always satisfying - if you get my drift.

Favourite Dickens is Bleak House - maybe I need to revi

*revisit

Going against the grain, but the one I read was truly terrible - not even enjoyable on a 'easy beach read' level, just crap and badly written crap at that. It was something about Welsh miners and maybe the beginning of the First World War? I really struggled to get to the end. There were about four more in the series but there was no way I was going to subject myself to them.

I generally don't post to say I hated something because it feels like dunking on other people's enjoyment, but if you enjoyed Jonathan strange and war and peace I would recommend just reading the first couple of chapters of a follett to check you like his style before laying down any money.

Pillars of the Earth is the Starr of the Kingsbridge series and I enjoyed it. Have to say I haven't enjoyed the other series half as much tbh

Not the point but why does it have to be by Ken Follet?

Another vote for Pillars of the earth

@PacificState hehe - I hear what you're saying. No worries, as this will be a library thing only.

Some popular authors/books I've tried and just thought 'WTAF?' I feel like that about Marian Keyes, but obviously she's a very successful writer.

I picked up 'Gone with the Wind' in a second book stall, thinking this will be boring but what the hey, and it absolutely blew me away (please forgive the awful pun).

Likewise 'Roots' by Alex Haley was utterly gripping, so I always think there must be a reason an author is so popular - even if i don't always agree.

@PuppyMonkey it doesn't have to be. But I was getting people's views on it.

Why is it confusing?

The Pillars of the Earth is the first book in the Kingsbridge trilogy and is an excellent read.

It was dramatized on TV a few years ago, and was an early outing for Eddie Redmayne.It

Follett is even close to being in the same league as Tolstoy or Dickens. I’d put his word craft behind Clarke and King as well. However, he’s good at a big epic yarn. Pillars of the earth is a big, but easy and relatively fast paced and rewarding read. I enjoyed the character development alongside the building of a fictional cathedral.
I listened to the audiobook a few years ago and remember looking forward to getting into the car or going to bed to be able to listen to it.

isn’t

I've only read Pillars of the Earth,and enjoyed it

I've read a few (mostly as KF was a neighbour of mine growing up so I feel like I 'should' like his books!)

I agree with his two trilogies but prefer Pillars to Century. I've also just read Never which is a v easy to read thriller.

I do like saga style novels / series and find he is one of the easiest to read in this style. Nothing compared to Dickens or Collins or the big Russian tomes but enjoyable none the less.

@claracluck1978 Nice! That's interesting - possibly embarrassing if you thought his books were utter shite

@FloorCushion I won't be comparing to Dickens/Tolstoy etc but do enjoy a tome sometimes whether high /middle / low brow - I started on Game of Thrones as well - and read the first 3 - but couldn't sustain to read the lot! (Have never watched the TV show of that)

He's an appallingly bad writer imo. I started Pillars with such high hopes then ... argh! So disappointed. If you want good long books, there are a zillion better out there. If it's history you like, then try

The Kingmaker series by Tony Clements
The Robert Harris Rome series
Anna Karenina
Most of Conn Iggulden
Trollopes Barchester Chronicles
Patrick O'Briens Master and Commander series

100% agree with what you say about popular authors and books - I love Jack Reacher, I enjoy Richard Osman, quite enjoyed Marian Keyes! My son absolutely adores the Da Vinci Code series. These things sell millions for a reason. That's why my Follett experience sticks in my head - it was a rare instance of being totally baffled about what the appeal is. Maybe I just read the wrong one.

Just wondered why it popped into your head that if you’re going to the library, you MUST get a book by Ken Follet is all. Don’t worry, I’m easily confused.