If you’re looking for the perfect holiday reading this summer, look no further than Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge Series, a well-known collection in historical fiction, tracing the development of a fictional town through the centuries.
The series chronologically begins with “The Evening and the Morning,” a prequel that sets the stage for the subsequent novels, including the acclaimed (and originally published) “The Pillars of the Earth” and the latest entry, “The Armor of Light.”
As well as listing them in my own, wholly subjective and personal order, I’ll also go in to the series’ storytelling, character development, and historical elements.
Here are the Kingsbridge series in order of how much I enjoyed reading them. There are easter eggs in most of the books for readers of the series, but each novel is a self-contained story and they can be read in any order.
A Column of Fire
A controversial choice putting this at number one I’m sure, and its a close run thing with The Pillars of the Earth, but this pips it for me. I’ve read it at least once a year since it was published.
A Column of Fire” is the third installment in Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge Series. Set during one of the most volatile periods in European history, the novel explores the tumultuous era of Elizabethan England, where religious conflict and political intrigue are rampant.
The story unfolds in 1558, with the town of Kingsbridge witnessing the power struggle between Catholics and Protestants.
Ned Willard, the protagonist, finds himself caught in the middle of this religious divide, striving to serve Princess Elizabeth while maintaining his love for Margery Fitzgerald, who is on the opposite side of the conflict.
The novel delves into themes of loyalty, espionage, and the fight for power. Characters navigate a world where allegiance to faith or monarch can determine one’s fate.
Follett introduces a cast of historical figures, including Queen Elizabeth I, Francis Drake, and the Spanish Armada, adding depth to the fictional narrative.
“A Column of Fire” enriches the Kingsbridge saga with its vivid depiction of a time when the world was on the brink of transformation. Follett’s ability to intertwine personal stories with historical events makes it a compelling read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The Pillars of the Earth
For most, this is the original and the best. It’s a great novel, and I absolutely love it. “The Pillars of the Earth” is the first novel in Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge Series and sets the stage for an epic saga.
Set in 12th-century England, it tells the story of the fictional town of Kingsbridge and its people as they embark on the ambitious project of building a grand cathedral.
The narrative revolves around the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, a feat that symbolizes the town’s growth and resilience.
The story follows several characters, including Tom Builder, whose dream is to build a cathedral; Philip, the pious prior; Aliena, the noblewoman fallen from grace; and Jack, the artistically gifted builder’s son.
The novel explores themes of ambition, power, faith, and betrayal. Characters are tested by their circumstances and their ambitions, often intertwining their lives with the fate of the cathedral. Follett’s characters are complex, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and moral dilemmas.
Follett meticulously recreates the political and social landscape of medieval England, known as The Anarchy, a time of unrest and power struggles.
The cathedral’s construction is set against this backdrop, highlighting the contrast between human endeavor and historical tumult.
World Without End
“World Without End” was the second novel published in Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge Series, taking place in the same town, two centuries after the events of “The Pillars of the Earth.”
The cathedral now stands at the heart of Kingsbridge, symbolizing the town’s growth and the enduring legacy of its ancestors.
The story unfolds in the 14th century, with Kingsbridge prospering under the shadow of the cathedral. However, the town is not immune to the challenges of the time, including the onset of the Black Death.
The narrative follows a new generation of characters, including Caris, a visionary woman, and Merthin, a builder like his ancestor Jack.
“World Without End” explores the tension between tradition and innovation, especially in the fields of medicine and architecture.
The characters’ lives intertwine in a complex web of relationships, driven by ambition, love, and the desire for progress.
The novel is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, such as the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death. Follett’s portrayal of these events through the eyes of the Kingsbridge residents brings a personal dimension to the grand scale of history.
The Armor of Light
The most recent addition to the series and an easy read. Some of the characters and plot lines are starting to feel very similar now, and a little repetitive.
This novel explores the impact of industrialization on the town of Kingsbridge and its inhabitants.
Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, “The Armor of Light” follows the lives of several characters as they navigate the challenges and opportunities brought by the dawn of a new era.
The invention of the Spinning Jenny and the rise of industry revolutionize the traditional ways of life in Kingsbridge.
The novel addresses themes of progress versus tradition, the social rights of workers, and the class struggles that permeate every aspect of society.
Follett introduces a diverse cast, from a mother seeking justice for her husband’s death to a young woman striving to educate impoverished children.
The Evening and the Morning
The weakest entry in the series for me, with unlikable characters (even the heroes) and a sadistic/titillating undertone to the way some of them are treated. If this had been the first in the series I wouldn’t have read any more.
Set at the dawn of the Middle Ages. It charts the origins of Kingsbridge through the lives of three pivotal characters whose fates intertwine amidst the turbulence of the era.
The narrative begins in the year 997 CE, a time marked by Viking raids and the struggle for power in England.
The story follows a young boatbuilder, a Norman noblewoman, and an ambitious monk as they navigate a world where justice is often at the whim of the powerful.
The novel delves into themes of ambition, conflict, and the quest for knowledge. The characters’ lives reflect the broader societal shifts of the time, from lawlessness to the establishment of order that paves the way for the events of “The Pillars of the Earth.”
