The Pillars of the Earth

Ken Follett, known as a master of suspense, delivers his most beloved and bestselling novel with The Pillars of the Earth — the magnificent story of a twelfth-century monk driven by a visionary goal: to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever seen.

Set in feudal England, the novel vividly recreates a world of walled towns, vast forests, castles, and monasteries. The backdrop is rich with the detail of daily life and the devastation of war. Against this intricate setting, Follett draws us into the lives of unforgettable characters: Tom, the master builder; Aliena, a noblewoman; Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge; Jack, an artist in stone; and Ellen, a woman of the forest who casts a terrifying curse.

At the center of the story is the cathedral itself — its construction powered by the mysterious artistry of unschooled stonemasons and surrounded by events marked by betrayal, revenge, and love. The drama begins with the public hanging of an innocent man and concludes with the humiliation of a king.

The Pillars of the Earth combines intrigue, fast-paced action, and romance within a historically rich narrative that explores the triumphs and struggles of individuals shaped by their times.