World Without End

Written by:
Ken Follett
Narrated by:
Richard E. Grant

Abridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
170
Narrator
32
Release Date
October 2007
Duration
14 hours 13 minutes
Summary
In 1989 Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England centered on the building of a cathedral and many of the hundreds of lives it affected. Critics were overwhelmed—“it will hold you, fascinate you, surround you” (Chicago Tribune)—and readers everywhere hoped for a sequel. 

World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own. This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroad of new ideas— about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race—the Black Death. 

Three years in the writing, and nearly eighteen years since its predecessor, World Without End breathes new life into the epic historical novel and once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.
Reviews
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Shawn B.

I thought the length of this book would overwhelm me. It turned out to be an extremely pleasant experience! The writing made me LOL, and sometimes cry. Absolutely LOVED the book.

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Gregory M

Loved it.

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Danielle C.

I adore Ken Follett. Pillars of the earth had me hooked years ago. I started this book thinking I hadn’t read it yet. Turns out I had read over half(what I can remember anyhow). It was just an emotional wreck in The BEST way possible. I was intrigued and excited to keep listening. The narrator was fantastic!

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Christian J.

Love Ken Follett and the Kingsbridge stories, have read the books several times and I still come back for more

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Anonymous

Excellent great story and insightful history of the plague

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Zeina

Great great great read

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Bonnie M.

very long book but masterfully crafted!

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Liz M.

I loved this book. It is so well written and engaging. The character development is enthralling and I couldn't wait to hear how their stories would end. I loved the references to the history of Kingsbridge and the characters from Pillars of the Earth. Follett has once again created revolutionary female characters fighting villains its easy to hate, while navigating the restrictions for women in their time and the expectation that they should be happy with just a marriage. John Lee is an incredible narrator who has mastered the art of timing. I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who loved the first of the trilogy.

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Brad B.

Truly an epic story. Fantastic narration. I can't wait to enjoy the next story in the series "Column of Fire." Due to the length of the book, I actually checked out the book from the library so I could put in extra time with the story when listening to earbuds wasn't appropriate. My only complaint about the audio file is that 9/10 of the book is on track 160 of 160. I constantly had problems with the app jumping the story ahead or behind. The bookmark feature didn't seem to work well on this file. Possibly user error but I couldn't figure it out. Also there were some weird audio glitches - the audio book was converted from a CD sound recording so every once in a while it tells you "End of Disc". Overall a fan and looking forward to the next one.

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Bonnie L

I wish this book would never end. Excellent character development and storyline.

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Perry C

Less trilling than Pillars of the Earth. I continue, however, to be facilitated by the story line of 14th century England. How valid the the phase “the more things change the more they stay the same “, women of today’s world are still burdened by all of those old prejudices of yesteryear. We still find ourselves with morally bankrupt leaders and those who use religion to justify their poor behavior. Well done Ken Follett. Narrator was again excellent!!!

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Melody F

Loved it! Listened to Pillars of the Earth first. Can't wait to start the next in the series!!!

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Jodie L

I usually go through an audiobook fairly quickly if I love it and until now I’ve been pretty lucky. The books I’ve chosen I’ve been very happy with..until now. This book is truly the first one I’m having to force myself to keep listening to. It’s one of those books that hooks you then drags on and on and right when your ready to give up something else interesting happens so you stick with it thinking it’ll get better only to find it drags on and on again. I’m about 3/4 way through and seriously this might be one of those books that eventually I make my way through then wonder why I bothered. Chances are my next credit which I’m anticipating eagerly having dragged along all month with this book , I’ll hopefully find something much better, and this book will wait on the back burner until I’m either completely without another audiobook to listen to or I somehow find along the way the book gets much better and stays that way. It just drags and drags between major events. I can’t emphasize that enough. All in all I’m sorry I wasted a credit on this mainly-boring monstrosity. Argh.

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John Gillies

Interesting book and well narrated, as one villain falls another steps out from the shadows!

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Mauricio comas

Great book and the narrator does make justice to the writer

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